Sauk Valley Community College

Sauk Valley Community College has been on a mission to provide quality education to its diverse student body since it opened in 1965.

The fully accredited college, which sits on a 144-acre campus at 173 state Route 2 between Dixon and Sterling, serves about 1,800 full- and part-time students a year from 16 in-district high schools, 18 states and three foreign countries, in courses that include GED and ESL classes, community enrichment courses, business training and dual credit courses for high-schoolers.

Sauk offers 2-year transfer associate degrees in art or science in more than 40 areas, 22 career-technical degrees, 24 associate degrees, and an associate in engineering science degree, along with 50 career-technical certificates.

In November 2018, Sauk’s ag students harvested their first crop of corn and soybeans at the college, part of its rapidly growing agriculture program. The hands-on harvest lesson taught students how to test factors that affect yield, such as soil properties, nitrogen and water levels.

Mens and womens sports, cultural activities and events, and more than 20 student clubs and organizations, including Phi Theta Kappa (the honor society for 2-year colleges), student government, Association of Latin American Students, Magic Club, Campus Crusade for Christ and Math Club, contribute to the vibrant campus life. Students also have access to a full fitness center and weight room.

Sauk also has an active ABC AmeriCorps program, in which students earn a stipend while working with children, youth and families as well as community-based agencies, small towns and municipalities, learning life skills while contributing to the health of area communities.

As part of its commitment to the region’s economic development, in early 2016 Sauk launched its Small Business Development Center, and the Sauk Valley Community College Community Leadership Program.

The Center is a resource for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, in collaboration with the Dixon, Sterling and Rock Falls chambers of commerce, city and county officials, and local banks.

The leadership course is a 10-month skills-building program in conjunction with area manufacturers, designed to foster students’ interest in the trades and bridge the skills gap that is impeding companies’ operational efficiencies. Sessions are scheduled at different sites to accommodate students throughout the area.

In recent years, Sauk has invested several million dollars in improvements, maintenance and upgrades to its campus as part of its ongoing effort to adapt to fit the changing needs of students and the evolving curriculum.

Sauk spent $1.3 million in 2017 to remodel the 12,000-square-foot Health Care Professions area, upgrading technology and expanding classrooms and training facilities to allow students to learn and practice in a more hospital-like setting.

That project came on the heels of a string of other renovations, including work on the West Mall, where a $1.9 million Student Services Center opened in 2015, along with a new testing center, business offices and two new classroom spaces.

The science, math and technology labs underwent major remodeling and upgrading a year or 2 before that.

The college also has beefed up its Multicraft Technology program, in which local manufacturers partner with Sauk and the Whiteside Area Career Center to educate, train and employ workers and reduce the local trade skills gap, through internships and classes; 2017 saw enrollment in that program double.

More info

Go to svcc.edu, find Sauk Valley Community College on Facebook, or call 815-835-6273.