Campus News

Rockford University has been awarded $464,450 through the Illinois Youth Investment Program, a program of the Office of Community and Positive Youth Development at the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). 

“The Illinois Youth Investment Program (IYIP) was established to provide Illinois’ at-risk youth ages 16-24, with the opportunity to participate in the employment recovery of the State following the COVID-19 pandemic,” explained Dr. Deepshikha Shukla, Dean of the College of Professional and Extended Learning. “This iteration of the IYIP program is being offered to build upon those successes by offering short-term, long-term, and career development employment programming in certain Illinois counties including Winnebago county. Rockford University will receive $464,450 for a 12-month project period to serve its students with comprehensive career guidance from readiness skills to job experience.”

Throughout the 12-month project period, the College of Professional and Extended Learning will lead the comprehensive career guidance program, while also assisting students in finding internship placements throughout both Rockford University and local organizations. 

Several local businesses have pledged their support to the program, including the Youth Services Network, Gigi’s Playhouse, Patriots Gateway Community Center, the Winnebago County Court Services Department, the Rockford Park District, UW Health, the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office, and Rosecrance.