Dozens of McKendree University Programs Approved for WIOA
Approved academic programs in several disciplines will help low-income students achieve success.
(LEBANON, Ill., March 11, 2024) – McKendree University has recently joined with several partners in the St. Clair and Madison Counties’ economic regions to have 47 academic programs approved for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). These approved programs include a wide variety of disciplines such as business administration, education, nursing, psychology, computer science, human resource management, cyber defense and several others. The programs are also offered in-person or online.
This partnership applies to students who live in the following Illinois counties: Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington. Low-income students in the qualified counties may also be provided with financial assistance up to $20,000 in their two final years at McKendree if they are enrolled in one of the approved programs. This opportunity may also expand into other areas of the state. Interested students looking for employment in one of the currently-approved counties may contact their local WIOA office or St. Clair County Office at (618) 277-6600 for further information.
This partnership also aligns with the university’s newest initiative, Clear Path, which helps ensure the accessibility of McKendree’s programs to students within the eligible region, which currently extends to 63 counties throughout Illinois.
“McKendree University is committed to providing access to a personalized, supportive educational experience to students in central and southern Illinois,” said Josie Blasdel, assistant vice president for admission and financial aid at McKendree University. “This partnership signifies our dedication to the academic pursuits of our students and the economic development of the region.”
The WIOA Works Illinois is an online resource to assist business and industry leaders, policymakers, community organizations and workforce professionals in achieving success under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It requires states to strategically align their core workforce development programs to coordinate the needs of both jobseekers and employers through combined four-year state plans with greater flexibility than its predecessor program, the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).
Prior to the enactment of WIOA, people who needed job training or education often had difficulty navigating across agency lines to assemble an effective training and employment plan. The WIOA helps improve coordination between and among agencies so that workers and jobseekers have more seamless access to a system of high-quality career services, education and training through the American Job Centers and its partners.
Additionally, the WIOA ensures the measurement and public reporting of the performance of education and training providers so that those seeking services can have access to provider performance information that will help them make informed choices about which training or education programs to pursue.
For more information about the WIOA, please visit their website or contact Josie Blasdel, assistant vice president for admission and financial aid at McKendree University, at (618) 537-6836.
-McK-
