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January 20, 2026

������ý��Ƶ and Illinois Central College Formalize Path2BU Transfer Partnership
$1 Million Gilmore Foundation Grant Establishes Scholarships for Program.

(Jan. 20, 2026 | Peoria, IL) – ������ý��Ƶ and Illinois Central College (ICC) today formalized a new transfer partnership designed to create a seamless, student-centered pathway from ICC to ������ý��Ƶ bachelor’s degree programs. The agreement, known as Path2BU, was announced during a ceremonial signing and news conference attended by campus leaders, faculty, and community partners.

Path2BU establishes a clear and supportive transfer process for ICC students who complete an associate degree and continue their education at ������ý��Ƶ. Under the agreement, eligible students will enter ������ý��Ƶ with junior standing, benefit from streamlined transfer credit evaluation, and access to dedicated advising and communication support.

The partnership also outlines scholarship eligibility for ICC students transferring to ������ý��Ƶ with a minimum cumulative transferable GPA of 2.7, along with reverse-transfer options and appropriate data-sharing practices to promote student success and degree completion.

“Path2BU reflects our shared commitment to putting students first,” said ������ý��Ƶ President James Shadid. “This partnership allows us to recognize the hard work ICC students have already completed, remove unnecessary barriers, and welcome them fully into the ������ý��Ƶ community. It’s a meaningful investment in our students, our institutions, and the future of Greater Peoria.”

“Path2BU is a powerful statement about what’s possible when institutions align around student success,” said Bruce Budde, Interim President of Illinois Central College. “Our students should never lose time, money, or momentum when they transfer, and this agreement ensures they won’t. Together with ������ý��Ƶ, we’re creating a clear, affordable pathway that strengthens our students, our workforce, and the future of central Illinois.”

The announcement was further strengthened by a $1 million grant from the , which will fund last-dollar scholarships for qualifying Path2BU students. The scholarships will be named in honor of Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey, President Emeritus of Illinois Central College, whose leadership was instrumental in advancing the partnership.

“We are deeply grateful to the Gilmore Foundation for its extraordinary generosity,” Shadid said. “Naming these scholarships in honor of Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey is especially fitting. She is a tireless champion for education and for the Peoria community, and her legacy will live on through the students whose lives are changed by this opportunity.”

Leaders from both institutions emphasized that Path2BU represents a collaborative approach to higher education, one that prioritizes access, affordability, and regional impact.

By strengthening transfer pathways and investing in local students, ������ý��Ƶ and ICC aim to increase educational attainment, support workforce development, and reinforce the region’s long-term economic vitality.

The Path2BU agreement takes effect immediately, with eligible ICC students able to take advantage of the transfer pathway and scholarship opportunities beginning with upcoming academic terms. To learn more about Path2BU, click here.

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