North Central College partners with North Cook Intermediate Service Center

A partnership that expands outreach for character initiatives

North Central College’s School of Education and Health Sciences and the School of Graduate and Professional Studies and the North Cook Intermediate Service Center recently established an Education Alliance Partnership to expand the availability of Character Education resources for school districts served by the North Cook Intermediate Service Center. In addition to providing a 20 percent tuition reduction for educators enrolled in North Central’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree program, the partnership brings considerable professional resources to educators and administrators who are interested in the College’s Character Education Initiatives.

“We are so pleased to be partnered with the excellent talent of the North Cook Intermediate Service Center,” said North Central College President Troy Hammond. “Their assistance in helping to facilitate training for our Educational Leadership candidates and in supporting the development of resources associated with the evolving Principal Academy will enhance our Character Education Project initiatives. I am also pleased that we will be able to introduce educators served by North Cook ISC to our Educational Leadership degree program.” 

North Central College is committed to inspiring well-equipped, principled and responsible leaders. Through a 4.5-year, $3.2 million grant—the College’s largest private grant ever—North Central is launching character initiatives designed to have a lasting impact on educators, aspiring leaders and administrators. These initiatives focus on social, emotional and ethical competencies with an ultimate goal of nurturing and fostering cultures of character in the school systems in which they serve.

“This partnership combines the strengths of two premier educational organizations and is an exciting opportunity to further the professional development and growth of educators throughout our region for the betterment of the field and ultimately our children,” said Dr. Kevin Jauch, executive director of the North Cook Intermediate Service Center.

“Joining efforts with North Cook ISC provides a value-added benefit to our Character Initiatives and all our graduate education programs,” said Dr. Bruce Spitzer, professor, and chairperson of the department of education at North Central College. “The professional development resources offered by NCISC will enhance our ability to meet the needs of aspiring administrators in our educational leadership program and our instructional coaching program.” 

The partnership also extends the College’s ability to reach educators currently underrepresented in administrative ranks, including those who work in underserved communities and who demonstrate a commitment to fostering a culture of character in the school setting.

For more information about the College’s character initiatives and Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree program, visit northcentralcollege.edu/character-initiatives.