Sauk Valley Community College’s Impact Program Boosts Local Students

Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC) is witnessing a significant transformation within its community as the Impact Program, launched four years ago, continues to yield positive results. This initiative allows high school students residing in SVCC’s district—comprising Whiteside, Lee, and parts of Bureau, Ogle, Henry, and Carroll counties—to earn their tuition through volunteer work at local organizations. The program, developed to address issues such as high poverty and low educational attainment, has seen its first cohort of students begin their studies at SVCC in the fall of 2025.

Lori Cortez, Vice President of Advancement at SVCC, expressed her pride at seeing these students take their next steps in education. “It’s just great to see them in our hallways. It’s like a culmination of all the work we’ve done,” she remarked. Out of the initial group of 18 students, approximately 14 are pursuing degrees in high-demand fields, including education, agriculture, manufacturing, welding, and healthcare—areas that are crucial for the local economy.

The Impact Program operates under a straightforward framework. Students must enroll by September 1 of their freshman year to receive full tuition coverage, while those who join in their sophomore and junior years can qualify for 75% and 50% respectively. To maintain their eligibility, participants must complete 25 hours of community service annually and graduate on time from an in-district high school or homeschool program.

The program has made a tangible difference in the lives of its participants. One student shared with Cortez that without the Impact Program, attending college would not have been possible for them, while another highlighted a lack of parental support as a barrier they faced. “To be able to offer that for our students is a really big deal,” Cortez emphasized.

Community Engagement and Volunteer Impact

Local organizations have reported a noticeable increase in volunteer help as a result of the program. Rachel Swihart, office manager at Open Door Community Church in Sterling, noted the essential role of Impact Program students in their operations. “Neither our tech team nor our kids’ ministry would function as smoothly without the Impact Program students,” she stated. Over the past four years, many student volunteers have formed lasting relationships with the church, contributing beyond their required hours. One student, who began volunteering in 2021, eventually took on the responsibility of running the church’s Christmas program, highlighting the lasting impact of this initiative.

Other community leaders have echoed similar sentiments. Members of the Rotary Club in Walnut reported increased fundraising success and membership growth, attributing part of their success to the contributions of Impact Program volunteers. Rob Bates, President of Dixon’s Petunia Festival Board, explained that the festival relies heavily on these students for setup and teardown operations. “If we had to pay folks to do all the setup and teardown work…we wouldn’t be able to provide as many events and services as part of our festival,” Bates noted.

Funding and Future Goals

The Impact Program is entirely funded by donations, having raised over $8 million in total since its inception. This funding has fully covered tuition for students from various districts, including Polo, Milledgeville, Fulton, and Prophetstown. Each high school in the college’s district has a specific funding target based on enrollment numbers, which are adjusted by 20% to accommodate anticipated growth.

For example, Fulton and Prophetstown were the first schools to achieve full funding, aided by a significant $1 million donation from a local resident. In Polo, a community fundraising effort successfully met its $600,000 goal, while Milledgeville reached its target of $500,000. The funding goals for Dixon, Sterling, and Rock Falls are set at $2 million each, with Dixon currently having raised $106,000.

As of November 25, 2025, the program has registered 1,887 students who have collectively completed 98,269 volunteer hours at 288 participating organizations. The Impact Program operates as a last-dollar scholarship, covering any remaining tuition costs not addressed by other financial aid. This ensures that all students involved will graduate from SVCC without student loan debt.

For more information about the Impact Program, interested individuals can visit the program’s official website or contact Lori Cortez at [email protected]. With continued community support and engagement, the future of the Impact Program looks promising, offering local students invaluable opportunities for education and personal growth.