DePaul University has been approved as a member institution of the University Center of Lake County (UCLC), a partnership of Illinois colleges and universities committed to increasing higher education options in Lake County by offering course work and degrees. Participation in the UCLC will position DePaul as a strong community partner in Lake County.

“We felt it was our responsibility to serve the student population in Lake County to the best of our ability,” said Laura P. Hartman, associate vice president for Academic Affairs at DePaul. “Through the center, we can work in concert with a variety of Illinois colleges and universities to ensure that residents of Lake County have access to a range of educational choices. This partnership has helped DePaul reach out to a diverse pool of students who need accessible and convenient ways to engage in lifelong learning.”

UCLC was developed to increase the higher education resources available in Lake County, which had been underserved by Illinois institutions. The state established the center so that a variety of programs could be offered in Lake County without requiring each participating school to build individual satellite facilities. The UCLC, which includes public and private schools, markets adult degree completion programs and upper level undergraduate courses available through its member institutions to Lake County residents and businesses.

Member institutions, all of which have a commitment to sustain course offerings in Lake County, can secure office and classroom space through the UCLC without incurring the expense of operating a campus. Degrees offered through the center mirror those available on the main campuses of sponsoring institutions.

DePaul’s School of Education and its School for New Learning, which is geared toward adult learners, will be the first DePaul colleges to offer programs through the UCLC.

UCLC members include colleges and universities from across the state including, the University of Illinois in Urbana, Chicago and Springfield; Northern Illinois University; Dominican University; St. Xavier University; Southern Illinois University in Carbondale; Northeastern University; Governors State University; Columbia College; Kendall College; and Concordia University.