President Ramage welcomes students

Welcome to Parkland College! I commend you on the wise decision you made to come here. In fact, let me show you how wise it really was.

First, you're going to learn just as much (or more) here as students attending their first years at a four-year college. You'll also be just as likely to earn your bachelor's degree as they will. National and local studies have shown this (including reports the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have provided to us about our transfer students who finish there).

Second, of course, is the cost issue. Parkland tuition and fees for a full-time student (15 credit hours) run $1,605 per semester or $3,210 per year. Attending a four-year private college will cost you about $26,273 this year (average) in comparison. Factor in the significant savings that come from living at home while attending a community college, and you start to get the picture. If you ask me, the smartest college grads are the ones who started at two-year colleges like Parkland College.

Third, there's a place for everyone here. Some 21,000 students come through our doors each year: honor students, recent high school graduates, mid-career professionals, athletes, moms and dads, dual credit students, even senior citizens. And more than 35% of the high school graduates in the Parkland College district choose us for higher education. In fact, 113 area students in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating classes (class of '09 and ‘10) accepted a Parkland scholarship.

Last, but certainly not least, you'll receive a first-rate education, with benefits:

With outstanding faculty, dedicated and professional staff, and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, Parkland is continually working to improve, inside and out, for you.

Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for the two-year college, inducted 185+ members at Parkland during the last academic year. Our chapter, recognized nationally as a Top 100 chapter, offers exciting opportunities for networking, leadership development, and community outreach.

Our curriculum and technology stay current, timely, and relevant so that you can transfer to a university and/or be highly employable in your chosen professional or technical field.

It is our mission to make sure that you are prepared when you set out to make your mark on the world. Whatever your goals may be, we are ready to help you achieve them.

Welcome! We are glad you are here.