April 09, 2026
SIU Carbondale to receive Kaskaskia College partnership honor
Reflecting a growing partnership, Southern Illinois University Carbondale has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Kaskaskia College Educational Partnership Award.
The award is presented to an organization whose collaboration with Kaskaskia College “demonstrates exceptional leadership, vision, and commitment to expanding educational opportunities for the students and communities.”
SIU Carbondale will receive the award from Kaskaskia College President George Evans at the college’s awards banquet at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, in the college’s Lifelong Learning Center on the main campus in Centralia.
“SIU Carbondale is honored to be recognized by Kaskaskia College,” Chancellor Austin A. Lane said. “This partnership reflects the strength of our shared commitment to student success and underscores our mission to expand access, opportunity, and achievement across Southern Illinois by creating clear, affordable pathways to a high-quality degree.”
SIU and Kaskaskia College have several agreements that bring the national distinction of a Carnegie R1 and Opportunity University designation to Kaskaskia College students.
Beginning this fall, Kaskaskia College students will be able to complete select agricultural bachelor's degree pathways through a combination of in-person and hybrid courses taught by SIU Carbondale faculty at Kaskaskia College, along with online courses offered by SIU.
A Saluki Step Ahead agreement allows qualified community college students the option to earn their bachelor’s degree online and at a lower cost in 12 academic programs: accounting, business administration, criminology and criminal justice, early childhood, elementary education, health care management, history, industrial management and applied engineering, information technology, nursing (RN to BSN), psychology and radiologic sciences.