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Normal, IL - Illinois State University
and Heartland Community College have announced three new
articulation agreements designed to streamline the transfer process
for working learners pursuing a degree in Special Education, and
also for students pursuing a degree in Engineering.
The new articulation agreements are designed to simplify the
transfer process, reduce duplication of coursework, and provide
students with a structured and seamless route from Heartland to
Illinois State.
“Strong partnerships between community colleges and universities are
essential to meeting workforce needs and expanding opportunity for
students,” said Dr. Ani Yazedjian, vice president for Academic
Affairs and provost at Illinois State. “These agreements create
clear, affordable pathways for learners to advance their education
while staying connected to our region. Together with Heartland, we
are preparing the educators who support every learner and the
engineers who will design what comes next.”
New Pathway for Special Education Paraprofessionals
One of the new agreements facilitates transfer and degree completion
for Heartland students enrolling in Illinois State's
Paraprofessionals Unlocking License in Special Education (PULSE)
program.
The PULSE program is designed for special education
paraprofessionals with at least two years of classroom experience
seeking to earn their bachelor’s degree in special education and
their Professional Educator’s License (PEL) with a Learning
Behavioral Specialist 1 (LBS 1) endorsement.
“This partnership recognizes the experience paraprofessionals
already bring to classrooms and creates a supportive pathway for
them to become licensed special education teachers,” said Bryan
Zugelder, dean of the College of Education at Illinois State. “By
reducing barriers and providing flexible, high-quality preparation,
we are helping dedicated professionals advance their careers while
addressing a critical shortage in special education.”
The agreement ensures admission in the
program for individuals who have paraprofessional experience in a
K-12 setting and who have completed an Associate in Arts degree at
Heartland. The program offers an opportunity for individuals looking
to work in special education to pursue a paraprofessional experience
while making progress on a degree. At Illinois State, the PULSE
program is fully online, combining synchronous and asynchronous
coursework to make it more accessible for working learners.
“There is a vital need for paraprofessionals and special education
teachers in our district. Creating a new pathway to work as a
parapro while earning your associate degree at Heartland and then
bachelor’s degree in special education at Illinois State is a great
step toward filling that need,” said Heartland Community College
Provost Dr. Sarah Diel-Hunt. “This agreement will help both
incumbent workers who are looking to take the next step but also
those looking to enter the field and advance toward a degree while
getting their feet wet as a paraprofessional.”
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Heartland Community College Provost Dr. Sarah Diel-Hunt (L)
and Illinois State University Provost Dr. Ani Yazedjian.
General
Engineering and Mechanical Engineering programs
Building upon recent growth at Heartland in manufacturing,
engineering, and technology programs, two new agreements with
Illinois State create direct pathways into the final two years
of Illinois State’s Bachelor of Science in Engineering and
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering programs.
For students pursuing Mechanical Engineering, the agreement
includes a dual-enrollment opportunity during the final semester
at Heartland. This allows students to take a designated Illinois
State course before transferring, strengthening academic
continuity and helping students stay on track to graduate on
time.
“These pathways are designed with both students and industry in
mind,” said Tom Keyser, dean of the College of Engineering at
Illinois State. “Students benefit from coordinated advising,
hands-on learning, and a smooth transition into upper-division
engineering coursework, while employers benefit from graduates
who are prepared to contribute immediately in high-demand
fields.”
Students completing the Mechanical Engineering B.S. develop
deeper specialization in areas such as fluid mechanics, heat
transfer, machine design, and control systems, preparing them
for roles in automotive, aerospace, energy systems, advanced
manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors.
Graduates of the Engineering B.S. program benefit from a broad,
interdisciplinary foundation that prepares them for careers in
systems engineering, manufacturing, electronics, automation, and
product development.
Students on these pathways benefit from coordinated advising,
ensuring a smooth transition between institutions. All
agreements ensure that students are fully prepared for
upper-division coursework upon transfer.
The articulation agreements go into effect beginning with the
fall 2026 semester.
For more information about the articulation agreement and how to
enroll, visit
Registrar.IllinoisState.edu/Transfer or
http://www.heartland.edu/application.
[Steve Fast
Heartland Community College
Assistant to the President, Public Information] |
