URBANA, Ill. (Chambana Today) – The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is launching a groundbreaking dual-credit course aimed at expanding access to higher education. This fall, the university introduced ACES 102: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems, a pioneering course approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. It marks the first dual-credit class offered by the Urbana campus, giving Illinois high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while exploring sustainable food systems and their impact on daily life.

“Dual-credit opportunities are an important part of our university’s commitment to expanding access to higher education,” said Lisa Anderson, director of the Office of Online Learning at U. of I. “While many regional universities and community colleges offer dual-credit courses, ACES 102 represents the first step for our campus in this space. It demonstrates how our colleges can innovate to make a world-class education more accessible to students across Illinois.”

The course provides high school students with a look at how agricultural, consumer, and environmental sciences influence food systems, human health, sustainability, and community development. ACES 102 is designed to spark curiosity, break down barriers, and show students that the University of Illinois is a place they can belong, regardless of their background.

“Large, research-intensive universities rarely open their doors to high school students through dual-credit programming,” said Anna Ball, associate dean for academic programs in the College of ACES. “We wanted to change that. This is about breaking down barriers, sparking curiosity, and showing students that the University of Illinois is a place where they belong — no matter where they come from.”

Initially launching in two Illinois high schools this fall, ACES 102 will expand as more schools complete the approval and training process. “This initiative brings our land-grant promise to life in a new way,” said Germán Bollero, dean of the College of ACES. “We’re taking the resources of a world-class university and putting them in the hands of young people across the state.”

The course is a collaboration between ACES, the Office of the Provost, and the Illinois Board of Higher Education, with support from the university’s Office of Online Learning. Plans are in place to expand the program to additional schools, and ACES will explore offering new courses in related fields.

“Education should be a bridge, not a barrier,” Ball added. “We hope ACES 102 inspires students to see themselves as future scientists, educators, and innovators — and helps them take their first step toward that future right here at Illinois.”

This program will also serve as the foundation for the Learning Accelerator initiative, a broader dual-credit pilot set to launch in the 2026-2027 academic year, offering four dual-credit courses in participating Illinois high schools.