May 27, 2025 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Shorelight is proud to announce a comprehensive global collaboration with Illinois Tech to support international student recruitment and retention for the university’s nationally ranked undergraduate and graduate programs.
Driven by a shared commitment to innovation and student success, Illinois Tech and Shorelight will soon open the Innovation Campus — a state-of-the-art facility located on the university’s Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Campus in nearby Wheaton, Illinois. Exclusively for graduate students pursuing high-demand STEM programs, the Innovation Campus will offer immersive hands-on learning experiences, industry-aligned career development opportunities, and collaborative workspaces designed to foster leadership and equip students with career-ready skills.
“I’m thrilled to collaborate with Illinois Tech, a university renowned for its innovation and the success of its international students. The forthcoming Innovation Campus — a bespoke offering of high-demand, market-attuned graduate programs, featuring an embedded career suite with practical experiences — will serve as an unparalleled incubator for STEM talent.” — Bill Colvin, senior vice president, Global Solutions, Shorelight
Through its personalized service-oriented approach, Shorelight will further enhance Illinois Tech’s global experience by providing students with comprehensive in-person support, starting with pre-arrival guidance and continuing through graduation. This holistic advising spans academic, social, and cultural services, ensuring students are set up for success, both inside the classroom and out.
“At Illinois Tech, we know that international students thrive when supported with the right resources, guidance, and opportunities. This partnership combines Shorelight’s student-centered services with our hands-on, career-focused education. Together, we offer tailored pre- and post-enrollment support, creating an unparalleled experience that empowers global students for career and lifelong success.” — Mallik Sundharam, Illinois Tech vice president for enrollment management and student affairs
This collaboration marks an exciting opportunity to connect students from around the world with Illinois Tech’s cutting-edge academic programs, experiential learning pedagogy, and outstanding career outcomes. Together, Shorelight and Illinois Tech share a unified vision: to deliver a world-class educational experience grounded in academic excellence, enriched by career preparation developed in partnership with leading employers, supported by personalized student services, and driven by a shared commitment to global opportunity. The university’s Student-First initiative integrates the full student success cycle, including the Elevate program and a unified advising model. This holistic approach combined with the strength of Illinois Tech’s STEM degree programs has significantly enhanced student engagement, improved retention, and increased first-destination success.
The Wheaton, Naperville, and Aurora region is home to hundreds of established companies and a vibrant, diverse community of families. The Innovation Campus is ideally located to serve not only international students, but also learners from the broader Chicagoland area, bringing quality STEM education directly to their doorsteps. This strategic location reflects Illinois Tech’s commitment to meeting students where they are and extending access to those balancing work, family, and education.
About Illinois Tech
Based in the global metropolis of Chicago, Illinois Tech was born to liberate the power of collective difference to advance technology and innovation for all. It is the only tech-focused university in the city, and it stands at the crossroads of exploration and invention, advancing the future of Chicago and the world. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, computing, architecture, business, design, science and human sciences, and law. Illinois Tech students are guaranteed access to hands-on experiences, personalized mentorship, and job readiness through the university’s one-of-a-kind Elevate program. Its graduates lead the state and much of the nation in economic prosperity. Its faculty and alumni built the Chicago skyline. And every day in the city’s living lab, Illinois Tech fuels breakthroughs that change lives.
Illinois Tech’s commitment to student outcomes is reinforced by its national rankings:
Illinois Tech is one of only 16% of US universities designated as an Opportunity College and University by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation (2025) — and one of just five STEM-focused institutions to earn this distinction. Ranked #1 in Illinois for highest eight-year median graduate earnings, Illinois Tech graduates earn nearly twice as much as their peers.
Illinois Tech is ranked #1 in Illinois and #20 in the nation for high earnings and economic mobility (New York Times, 2023).
Illinois Tech is #1 in Illinois for Best Salaries of Graduates (Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2025).
Graduates have pursued successful careers at top employers such as Amazon, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman, among other leading global organizations.
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