Southern Illinois University Carbondale has been described as a “hidden jewel.” Perhaps because of our rural location, or the fact that we are a public university that serves first generation students, many assume Southern is good, but few realize the level of excellence we have attained. With eight academic colleges, as well as a graduate school, a school of law, and a school of medicine, Southern prepares thousands of individuals to lead exemplary lives. The majority of our 210,500 living alumni are productive citizens who are making significant contributions in business, education, the media, science, government, and much more.

We offer four associate degree programs as well as 87 bachelor’s, 65 master’s, and 30 doctoral degree programs. In addition, we offer 10 post-baccalaureate certificates and two professional programs. The scope of our educational impact is enormous, and our academic programs are widely recognized for their excellence.

The Center of Excellence for Soybean Research, Teaching, and Outreach in the College of Agriculture, for example, was established to improve production of the plant that many believe has great potential for abating hunger in the world. Our Administration of Justice program has been highly touted for preparing outstanding correctional officers. The programs in our Aviation Technologies department are ranked among the best in the country and were designed with input from industry representatives and the Federal Aviation Administration. Our Center for Archaeological Investigations, a leader in cultural ecology and conservation archaeology, is one of only two U.S. archaeology centers affiliated with a university.

Changing times
As new technologies emerge, new theories unfold, economic and social conditions change, and new careers are developed in response, Southern must equip students with the tools to succeed. We must develop innovative programs, encourage creative thinking, and anticipate our students’ and faculty members’ future needs. In addition, as our researchers develop new knowledge, they expand the scope of their programs and require new resources to develop these programs—giving each generation of new students a fresh palette of opportunities.

Campaigning for growth and change
Virtually every academic department in every college at Southern has a vision for what can be, and what will be, important for success in the future—success for our graduates, success for our faculty, success for Southern, and success for southern Illinois. Opportunity Through Excellence will underscore and reinforce our commitment to progress and allow us to provide the innovations and the exceptional “human capital” tomorrow’s society will require.