KC and SIU-C expand access to Agriculture Bachelor’s Degree
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By COREY B. JOHNSON
cjohnson@unionbanner.net
CENTRALIA — Leadership from Kaskaskia College and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale — including KC President George Evans, SIU-C Chancellor Austin A. Lane, SIU-C Provost Sheryl Tucker, and Kristina Boone, dean of SIU-C’s College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences — participated in a formal signing ceremony Tuesday at the John D. Cavaletto Agricultural Center on the KC campus in Centralia.
“This partnership represents a major step forward for place-bound students who want to advance their education without leaving their communities,” said George Evans, President of Kaskaskia College. “By working together, KC and SIU Carbondale are expanding access to bachelor’s-level agricultural education in a way that is flexible, affordable, and aligned with the needs of our regional workforce.”
This program has been in the works for two years, and Kaskaskia College has never undertaken a project like this before. According to a press release, the new partnership expands access to agricultural bachelor’s degrees in Southern Illinois. Beginning with the fall 2026 semester, students will be able to complete select four-year agricultural pathways locally through a combination of in-person and hybrid coursework offered at Kaskaskia College and online courses delivered by SIU Carbondale. Evans hopes this is the first of many partnerships with SIU Carbondale.
“This is a great opportunity for our students. This is the evolution of higher education, and I have to commend SIU for thinking outside of the box. We want our students to move on and stay in the State of Illinois,” Evans commented. “Not only do our students stay in the region, but they also get that Saluki experience. I hope we are back here every year offering 25 different options. This is a no-brainer. We want to keep students in Illinois, attending our amazing universities and raising families in our region. This is a reinvention of providing high-quality education in our students’ own background.”
The initial bachelor’s degree pathways available through this partnership include Agribusiness Economics and Agricultural Systems and Education. The Agribusiness Economics degree prepares students for careers across the agricultural industry, including commodities and futures markets, agricultural banking, crop insurance, corporate sales, and management of family farming operations. Students gain a strong foundation in economic principles and real-world business applications relevant to modern agriculture.
The Agricultural Systems and Education degree is designed for future agricultural professionals — whether or not they grew up on a farm. Students build a solid foundation in traditional agriculture while gaining hands-on experience in GIS and precision farming technologies, along with skills in business management. SIU Carbondale reports nearly 100% job placement for graduates in this major, supported by strong statewide networking opportunities.
“This partnership demonstrates what is possible when institutions work together with a shared commitment to student success and regional growth,” said SIU Chancellor Austin A. Lane. “By expanding agricultural bachelor’s degree pathways with Kaskaskia College, we are creating affordable, accessible opportunities that allow students to earn a high-quality degree while staying rooted in Southern Illinois.”
Under the agreement, students will complete their general education and foundational coursework at Kaskaskia College, building on KC’s existing Associate of Science degree, Associate in Applied Science Agronomy & Environmental Science, Associate in Applied Science Agriculture Business, and Precision Agriculture coursework, before transitioning into upper-division SIU Carbondale coursework delivered through in-person and hybrid formats at KC and online formats through SIU Carbondale. This model reduces overall costs, minimizes the need for relocation, and allows students to balance education with work and family commitments.
“There is a hybrid environment here. There are different avenues for students to earn their bachelor’s degrees. There will be faculty teaching face-to-face, and there are opportunities for students to earn their bachelor’s degree online if they are capable of that,” Evans commented. “This is a very streamlined degree, and I give SIU-C full credit in trimming the degree load. We wanted to partner with SIU-C because I love the aggressiveness and vision of Chancellor Lane and his team. I appreciate their ability to recognize that the world of higher education is evolving and we must adapt. Flexibility, affordability, and efficiency are the keys.”
Students interested in learning more or applying for one of the available agricultural bachelor’s degree pathways may contact info@kaskaskia.edu for additional information and advising assistance.
“On the national level, you will hear that universities and colleges are not worth the money. I am here to tell you the opposite: a degree from us will increase your learning capacity and your earning capacity. We can prove that,” Evans commented. “Students are starting as juniors here with a variety of formats thanks to this program.”
