Maximum individual award involving local activities/events: $250.00

(Can receive multiple times subject to cap)

Description: Applications for this tier can include research/creative activity, conference presentation/attendance, on- or off-campus curricular or co-curricular activities including class programming that have limited costs and are local in scope.

Who can apply?
— traditional undergraduate students beginning the sophomore year at RU (freshmen students can apply for Tier I funding only as a part of a faculty/staff led group project),
— transfer students beginning their second semester at RU, and
— graduate students beginning their second semester at RU for conference participation or presentation at a conference related to their academic field.

Application Requirements:
— Have a minimum of 2.0 GPA
— Have a faculty/staff sponsor letter of recommendation (needed for application submission)
— Fill out an online application form (click on “Student” button for detailed information)

Maximum individual award involving academic activities including off-campus travel/conference: $1000.00

(Undergraduate students can receive multiple times subject to cap/Graduate students can only receive once)

Description: Students can apply for any costs related to research and creative activities, conference presentation/attendance, off-campus curricular or co-curricular activities including class programming that are regional in scope or short-term study abroad opportunities.

Who can apply?
— traditional undergraduate students beginning the sophomore year at RU,
— transfer students beginning their second semester at RU, and
— graduate students beginning their second semester at RU for presentation at a conference related to their academic field.

Application Requirements:
— Have a minimum of 2.5 GPA
— Have a faculty/staff sponsor letter of recommendation (needed for application submission)
— Fill out an online application form (click on “Student” button for detailed information)

Maximum individual award for away semester (study abroad etc.): $3000.00

(Can receive only once)

Description: Rockford University offers whole semester experiences such as the Washington semester or semester study abroad in Spain, England, Sweden and Japan (https://www.rockford.edu/academics/studyabroad/). Students interested in spending a semester abroad should contact the Office of Global Affairs for the application procedures. If selected, students can apply for SOF funds to assist with the expenses of the study abroad semester.​

Who can apply?
— Undergraduate students that are juniors or seniors at RU.

Application Requirements:
— Have a minimum of 2.5 GPA
— Have a faculty/staff sponsor letter of recommendation (needed for application submission)
— Have a letter of support from the Office of Global Affairs
— Fill out an online application form (click on “Student” button for detailed information)

Description: This application is specially for hosting an academic event on campus. In the past students have hosted events like the Psi-Chi Tri State Psychology Conference, Math Club Lecture Series etc. These events enrich Rockford University’s academic experience and also increases Rockford University’s visibility within the local community and beyond.

Who can apply?
— Undergraduate students at RU.

Application Requirements:
— Have a faculty/staff sponsor letter of recommendation (needed for application submission)
— Fill out an online application form (click on “Student” button for detailed information)

 Description: This tier provides financial support for large ticket items (exceeding $5,000.00) that support new and creative initiatives/projects that enrich such experiences both on- and off-campus. It may offer seed money for higher-cost projects to start operating with one-time funding through SOF. This tier may also be used for purchases on campus that offer ongoing support for activities that enrich students’ academic and co-curricular experiences.

Who can apply?
— Faculty or staff member at RU.

Application Requirements:
— Applicant will submit a detailed proposal that clearly describes the activity and its expenditures as well as demonstrates how the program will fulfill RU’s mission and align with its Strategic Plan. The proscribed form will be used for proposal submission and the plan must meet all other criteria for SOF funding.
— Applications for this Tier must be initiated by a faculty or staff member.
— The applications will be submitted to the Executive Council for approval after review by the SOF committee. This ensures support for future funding if the initiative will continue and become part of future university annual budgets.
— Click here for Tier V Rationale.

Amanda Becker ’05 is currently teaching U.S. and World History at Auburn High School in Rockford, Ill. In just her second year of teaching, Amanda was a Golden Apple Award Nominee. About her experience at Rockford University, she said, “Teachers were great. I could visit or e-mail any of my professors with questions any time they were available. They encouraged me to dive deeper into my studies as well. I never thought that I would be learning the Greek language until Dr. Martin’s classes, but now I’ve been studying it for the past three years. If you’re an education major, Rockford University’s program will prepare you for the classroom. The education department gave me the tools I needed in order to succeed in the classroom with multiple techniques, self evaluations, and strict standards.”

Blair Lemons ’05 teaches special education at Harlem High School and is the head freshman baseball coach there. “Having professors who valued their students as individuals, gave me a feeling of importance as a student. Instructors were readily available for any questions or concerns and brought an enthusiasm to the classroom that made class enjoyable.”

Dave Oberg ’91, History MA ’93 and ’98 (Historical Administration concentration from Northern Illinois University) has spent 17 years working in museums in various capacities. At present, he is the Executive Director of the Geneva History Center in Geneva, Ill. Dave “was a proud participant in the Honors Program.” He said that the Rockford University “broad liberal arts education gives me greater context when making decisions. In addition, the strong emphasis on writing skills has served me well in publishing and in writing grants to support various museum endeavors. The small class size at Rockford University allowed strong focus on presentation skills as well, which has served me well in my career.”

Joshua Parker ’04 who earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash. In looking back at his time as a Rockford student, Josh said, “My ways of thinking about the world around me were informed by the discipline of history. I became more critical of current events, relating them to occurrences of the past. I understood more about the impact that an individual, a movement, or a technology can have on culture, society, and the world.” His continued work in history focuses “on topics of privilege, oppression, and social justice, which continue to have immense importance on our existence today.”

Mark Pedowitz ’74 went to John Marshall Law School in Chicago after completion of his degree in History at Rockford University. He began his career as an attorney at MCA, Inc. and rose up the ranks within the entertainment industry. Pedowitz joined ABC in August 1991 as senior vice president, where he negotiated deals to acquire programming for all aspects of the network’s broadcasting. He continued his upward climb and was named president of ABC Studios in 2004 where he now oversees creative and business operations for network, cable, mobile and broadband outlets. Pedowitz has been instrumental in expanding the studio’s brand identity as a haven for filmmakers for both broadcast and cable networks with an impressive slate of series, including international hit franchises Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives and Lost, and breakout successes Ugly Betty and Brothers & Sisters. In addition, he currently sits on the BMI Board of Directors, the Board of the Foundation for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS), and has served on the Executive Board of both the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS) and the Hollywood Radio and Television Society (HRTS).

Majors:
•  History (B.A., B.S.)
•  History (B.A. or B.S. with Secondary Education Licensure)

Minor:
•  History

Additional information for these programs can be found in the Academic Catalog.
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The International Studies major is composed of four elements:

1. Core Courses:  These provide a common introduction and overview of international relations, global issues, historical context, political affairs, economic forces, and contemporary problems.
2. Supporting Courses:  Chosen from the Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences, these allow personalized study within a desired focus area. These courses offer students the opportunity to study and understand the larger world outside the United States. While these courses may overlap with a student’s course work for a double major or a minor, there are limits to the allowed use of courses for more than one major or minor; consultation with the Department Chair and Registrar on such questions is advised.
3. Foreign Language or Focused Global Study:  Either two courses in foreign language or three courses in the study of cultures foreign to the students’ own provides greater insight into others’ perspectives. While all majors are encouraged to study foreign languages, which is a norm in the field, if it is not possible to do so, students can substitute other coursework. These courses will be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor.
4. Study Abroad or International Experience Project:  Majors will participate in a short- or semester-long study abroad program, or instead develop a project (driven by the student and their interests) to explore one or more international experiences more locally and/or regionally. Financial aid may be available for study abroad and several program options are offered. Further, students may wish to coordinate their study abroad with research for their Senior Seminar. Consultation with their academic advisor, the financial aid director, and the Office of Global Affairs is recommended to plan an appropriate study abroad option.

Ideally, majors will partake in a short study abroad course early in their university career, then a more substantive semester or year-long experience during their junior or senior year. Financial aid may be available and several program options are offered. Further, students may wish to coordinate their study abroad with research for their Senior Seminar or work in a concentration area. Consultation with an academic advisor, financial aid director and the Office of Global Affairs is required to plan an appropriate course of study.

Major:

• International Studies (B.A., B.S.)
  Area Studies, Arts & Peoples, Environment & Development, Ideas & Religions, Politics & Economy, Security & Peace Studies

Minor:

• International Studies

Additional information about these programs can be found in the Academic Catalog.
Search course offerings and descriptions