Illinois Cooperative Education and Internship Association Spring Conference “The Illinois Cooperative Work Study Program Overview And a Showcase of the Bradley University Program” Presenter: Rich Jachino IBHE Grant Administrator April 29, 2011

Discussion points Overview of IBHE, Statutory Responsibilities Public Agenda for College and Career Success Cooperative Work Study Program −Program overview, challenges, new reporting requirements −Evaluation and employer feedback −Criteria for reviewing applications −Characteristics of a high quality program −Schedule for FY2012 −Dawn Koeltzoe, Bradley University Q and A Session

Illinois Board of Higher Ed (IBHE) Statutory Responsibilities Created 1961 to plan and coordinate Illinois' system of colleges and universities Statutory Responsibilities −Budget Development −Grant Administration −Information Systems −Master Planning −Academic Program Approval

Goals Goal 1: Increase Educational Attainment Goal 2: Ensure College Affordability Goal 3:Address Workforce Needs Goal 4: Enhance Economic Growth

ICEIA Mission IBHE Program Purpose ICEIA Website: “To provide professional development and networking opportunities that will result in expanded work-based learning opportunities for students. ” IBHE program rules: “Provide a program of financial assistance to support student cooperative work study programs in higher education to benefit students academically and financially, reduce reliance on loans, enhance public-private sector partnerships, and encourage students to seek permanent employment in Illinois. ”

Cooperative Work Study Program Overview Consistent funding for past 20 years Public, Independent for-profit and no-for-profit colleges, community colleges FY2010 supported 51 institutions, 1,422 student, 677 businesses, between of student who seek permanent employment were hired. Allows students to get their foot in the door Encourages social and community service Creates new public/private partnerships Reduces reliance on student loans

Challenges/Changes More difficult for colleges and universities to keep employers and add new ones Some colleges and universities have dropped out of the program Delayed payments to students and employers Reduced state funding limits maximum award request amounts High unemployment in Illinois makes it more difficult to place interns and get hired in full-time positions New quarterly reporting requirements passed last year, new evaluation questions Release RFP earlier in the FY

Update from Comptroller’s Office By the numbers Generally, bills are paid within 30 day, however… bills are paid generally ever 104 business days Currently 208,635 in unpaid bills totaling $4.52 $8.3 billion at the close of the fiscal year Currently paying vouchers submitted on November 5, 2010 FY10 Bradley voucher submitted, , paid on , 210 days

Evaluation and Employer Feedback Evaluation requirements and expectations have increased for all IBHE program Evaluations indicate that employers are very satisfied in the quality of the interns who are placed in their businesses “Student has great attention to detail and works well independently. She is very professional in her dealings with co-workers, program participants and the general public. Student assumes and handles responsibility well. She displays ethical behavior and exercises good judgment. She is flexible and can adapt to changing situations in a moment’s notice.”

Evaluation and Employer Feedback “We have had great success with Waubonsee interns we have used in the past. I actually just offered one of them a full-time position.” Employers are pleased to employ properly trained, well-educated interns at a reduced cost of normal wages Interim evaluation reports the past two years indicate that between 60 and 78 percent of students are hired permanently

Characteristics of a high quality work study program Addresses policy issues related to workforce and economic development Maximizes the use of matching contributions from business, industry and government Links to a student’s academic field and encourages social and community service Well defined program articulation procedures A comprehensive evaluation plan to measure program impact Cost effective budget Has a high percentage of students hired after the work study experience

Schedule For FY2012 $1.23 million included in Governor’s budget General Assembly adopts final budget September 2011 release FY2012 application Due November 2011 December review of proposals January 2012 develop board item February Board of Higher Education approval March submit vouchers to Comptroller

Bradley Program Key Strategies for Success Integrated into the overall co-op internship program at Bradley Have built and maintained successful long-term relationship with employers Successful job fairs Very high job placement Concentrate on high demand fields

Summary The IBHE work study program is a vehicle for supporting the Public Agenda goals The IBHE has had to focus remaining grant resources into high need areas. Grant funding has become very competitive The work study program continues to be a very successful program for students, institutions, and employers across the state of Illinois