DU, Chicago Public Schools Close Equity Gaps Through Dual-Degree Program
For immediate release
As graduation day nears, students at a Southwest Side Chicago high school are earning college credits and preparing to transition to the next stage in their higher education journey—thanks to a unique partnership between Dominican University and Chicago Public Schools.
Through the DU Dual Advantage program, 10 seniors at Farragut Career Academy in Little Village are taking dual-credit courses in math, English, political science, history, sociology and Chicago ethnic art expression. When they graduate May 28, these 10 seniors will have completed the first year of a two-year associate’s degree.
This dual-degree program is distinct because each course is taught by professors from Dominican University’s Chicago Campus in Pilsen, and each student has the option of enrolling at the Chicago Campus to complete their associate’s degree in one year instead of the traditional two.
All 10 current students have applied to attend the Chicago Campus in the fall, said Dr. Gema Ortega, executive director of academic affairs at Dominican University’s Chicago Campus.
“Our program distinguishes itself by offering a clear pathway to degree completion, while also intentionally partnering with high school support teams to ensure students receive the academic support needed to succeed in their courses,” Ortega said.
Once the students complete their Associate of Arts degree at the Chicago Campus, they can seamlessly transition to Dominican’s River Forest campus to begin their bachelor’s degree in a major of their choice.
The students are set to graduate from Farragut Career Academy on May 28 in the school’s auditorium, located at 2345 S. Christiana Ave.
“This partnership with CPS is deeply meaningful for us because one of Dominican University’s goals is to close equity gaps for Black and brown students by providing access to higher education,” said Dr. Barrington Price, chief executive officer of Dominican University’s Chicago Campus. “Research has shown that students who gain access to meaningful, dual credit opportunities do have a higher probability of persisting in college and graduating.”
Emily, a DU Dual Advantage student, said the program’s classes have challenged and motivated her, which she enjoys. She hopes to enter the nursing field when she completes college.
“The program is an advantage because you are already one step ahead,” Emily said.
Reyder, another DU Dual Advantage student, said the program has given him goals to meet and put him on track to accomplish them.
Students were selected for the inaugural DU Dual Advantage program based on their interest, as well as their work ethic, personal goals and academic performance, said Farragut Career Academy Principal Virag Nanavati.
“It is a wonderful opportunity, as a neighborhood high school, to give students the option of an early track to a career,” Nanavati said. “I am glad we have this partnership that allows students to have a better life.”
The students represent a range of backgrounds and career interests. Some members of the first cohort are recent immigrants who are also learning English as they tackle their college-credit courses.
Through DU Dual Advantage, students embark on a clear, affordable and accessible path to ultimately obtaining a bachelor’s degree in less time than a traditional four-year program. And in line with Dominican’s mission of meeting students where they are, Farragut students are introduced to the academic expectations they will encounter in college while receiving wraparound support. This includes tutoring coordinated by DU professors and Farragut teachers, one-on-one meetings with professors, and access to additional student success services offered by both schools.
Connecting with high school students in this way also gives them the confidence to pursue higher education, Ortega said.
“Many of these students had not seen themselves at the college level,” she explained. “The first courses with the professors are designed to show them that they belong and they can succeed.”
“DU Dual Advantage helps to close equity gaps by expanding access to real college experiences while still in high school,” said Armando Rodriguez, deputy chief of college and career success for Chicago Public Schools. “This partnership gives students a head start on a four-year degree, breaks down barriers to higher education and reinforces what we know to be true: that when given the opportunity and the right, CPS students rise to the challenge at the college level.”
The dual-credit program also aligns with Dominican’s long history and mission of making higher education accessible.
“The Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters envisioned our university offering opportunities to those who needed them,” Ortega said. “Our mission tells us to prepare students to create a more just and humane world, and through this initiative, we are doing exactly that.”
Contacts:
Dr. Barrington Price, chief executive officer, Dominican University Chicago Campus: bprice@dom.edu
Dr. Gema Ortega, Executive Director of Academic Affairs, Dominican University Chicago Campus: gortega@dom.edu
Virag Nanavati, principal of Farragut Career Academy: vcnanavati@cps.edu
Jasmine Illa, communications, Chicago Public Schools, jilla@cps.edu
About Dominican University
Founded in 1901, Dominican University is a comprehensive, coeducational Catholic institution with campuses in River Forest and Chicago. The university offers an associate of arts in liberal arts and sciences; bachelor’s and master’s degrees through the Rosary College of Arts, Education, and Sciences, the College of Business, Information Studies, and Technology, and the Borra College of Health Sciences; as well as doctoral programs in information studies, applied social justice and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
As Chicago's premier Catholic Hispanic-Serving Institution, Dominican is consistently recognized as a leader in academic excellence and value. U.S. News & World Report ranks Dominican University in the top 25 of Midwest regional master’s level universities, and #1 in Illinois for Best Value and ensuring the social mobility of its graduates. Learn more at www.dom.edu.
About Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is dedicated to providing a high-quality education to all students, beginning with the District’s free full-day preschool programming for four-year-old scholars and continuing through neighborhood, magnet and selective-enrollment elementary schools that provide a rigorous K-12 education with schools that specialize in the fine arts, world language and culture, dual language, STEM, International Baccalaureate (IB), classical programs, and more. The rising District-wide freshmen-on-track and high school graduation rates reflect the hard work of the CPS community, including families, staff, and students across 635 schools. CPS celebrates the diversity of its more than 325,000 students who cite more than 190 home languages. Learn more about CPS at www.cps.edu and connect with CPS on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.