Aurora University Viewbook 2017–2018

AURORA UNIVERSITY

BU I L D YOUR LIFE A R O U N D WH AT M AT TERS .

FOUNDED IN 1893

Discover your future

At AU, you’ll become part of a close-knit community. You’ll find faculty and students working together to bring learning to life.

You’ll find advisors, counselors and coaches who are committed to your success. You’ll find a rich education, grounded in realworld experiences, that will prepare you for life after graduation.

Join us at Aurora University.

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FAST FACTS 4-YEAR private, nonprofit, fully accredited university

98%+ of students receive financial aid

24 average class size

3,800 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

1,800

GRADUATE STUDENTS

39 number of states students hail from

$28 MILLION+ financial aid awarded in 2016–2017

6

17:1

on-campus residence halls

student-faculty ratio

2

ACADEMIC SEMESTERS (FALL & SPRING)

+1

STUDY IN MAY SESSION

+

MULTIPLE SUMMER SESSIONS

AU MAJORS & MINORS M

M

m

m

Accounting (BS)

•

Marketing (BS)

•

Actuarial Science (BS)

•

•

Mathematics (BS)

American Sign Language

•

Museum Studies

•

Art (BA)

•

•

•

Athletic Training (BS)

•

• •

Music (BA) Musical Theatre (BA)

• Bilingual/ESL

•

Nursing (BSN)

•

•

•

Parks and Recreation Leadership (BS)

Biology (BS)

• Biotechnology

•

Philosophy (BA)

•

•

Physical Education K-12 Teaching Licensure (BA)

Black Studies

• Business Administration (BA)

• Chemistry

• Coaching

•

•

• Physiology

Communication and Media (BA)

• Pre-Law •

•

•

Computer Science (BS)

•

•

•

Criminal Justice (BA)

•

•

Political Science and Public Policy (BA)

Disabilities Studies (BA)

• Early Childhood Special Education with Bilingual/ESL (BA)

Psychology (BA) Religion (BA)

• Secondary Education (supplemental major)

•

School Health Education

Elementary Education (BA)

•

Social Work (BSW)

•

English (BA)

•

Sociology (BA)

Equine Studies

•

•

Exercise Science (BS)

•

•

Finance (BS)

•

• •

• •

Spanish (BA) Spanish K-12 Teaching Licensure (BA) Special Education (BA)

• French

•

•

Gender Studies

•

Health Science (BS)

•

Theatre (BA)

•

History (BA)

•

Therapeutic Recreation (BS)

Homeland Security

•

•

Human-Animal Studies (BA)

• Latin American and Latino/a Studies

•

•

Sport Management (BA)

• STEM

M = Majors | m = minors

Leadership Studies (BA)

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Junior biology major

Meet Jessika A lot of people ask me why I left California to come to AU. Well, Merced, my hometown, is pretty small, and it’s the only place I had ever known. My parents always encouraged me to travel if I had the chance, so I did.

I considered other out-of-state schools, but once I visited AU, that was it. I was looking for a small university where I could study biology — I want to go on to medical school — and play softball, which I love.

I actually first heard about AU from Marissa Belmontes, who is one of my best friends from home. We grew up together playing softball and she played on the softball team with me here.

One of the great things about playing sports at AU is just getting to know people and making connections. I think that 20 years from now I’ll still be friends with my teammates.

The university is very supportive of everything I do.

My professors really care about me; I have time to do volunteer work; I have a great part-time job in the Office of Admission — and I feel loved as an athlete!

To me, being a Spartan means that you’re hardworking and you’re dedicated to becoming the best you can be. I think that’s what AU teaches. Not only do you get what you need to graduate, you get what you need to be successful in life.

To hear more about AU, visit aurora.edu/experienceAU

Aurora is

THE SECOND LARGEST CITY

24

in Illinois

145+

NCAA Division III teams

athletic conference championships

ACADEMIC ADVISORS

74

PERCENT OF OUR FACULTY

work with you to chart a path and keep graduation in sight

hold the highest degree in their field

125+

700

NCAA tournament appearances

students are AU athletes

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Discover your passions We understand you are constantly seeking, ever challenging and always looking for a spark that will ignite your passions and set you on a path toward your future.

At Aurora University, you’ll explore what it means to know yourself and others. You’ll work with your professors to find new ways to approach learning and gain the skills you need to succeed in any profession. And you’ll take on real-world experiences where you can apply what you are learning.

At AU, there are more than 60 student organizations to engage your passions and help you develop new interests. Plus, you’ll discover endless opportunities to get involved on campus and meet new friends.

If you are driven to serve and guided by your personal beliefs, AU’s Wackerlin Center for Faith and Action will help you find ways to become a meaningful part of the community and grow as a leader.

Whether it’s developing your leadership capabilities as part of the Global Leadership Organization, participating in service projects with the Social Work Association or promoting lifelong fitness and health among the Fitness, Physical Education & Coaching group, you can directly explore your chosen field through the numerous professional organizations connected to AU. At AU, you’ll gain valuable experience and knowledge, and the world at large will benefit from your direction and involvement.

Submit your free application online at aurora.edu/apply

“Being involved on campus changed my perspective and I learned that the college experience is much more than simply being on your own and getting your degree. It was an opportunity to grow my skills both academically and socially to achieve success as a student and in life after college.”

— Nick ’16 History and secondary education graduate

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“When I first came to campus, everyone was very friendly and it made it feel like home right away.”

— Mikayla ’17 Health science major

“Being away from home is hard, but you find people out here to lean on and that’s what Aurora University has done. I found my best friends here.”

— Will ’17 History graduate

Submit your free application online at aurora.edu/apply

Discover your new home Whether you live in one of our six residence halls or commute to campus, you’ll find a welcoming community at AU. Our residence halls are more than just places to sleep — they’re a great way to stay connected to what’s happening on campus and will help you develop meaningful, lifelong friendships.

Whether you live on campus or commute, you can hang out with fellow students in the Spartan Spot, Spartan Hideaway, the Dunham Atrium or other gathering places to grab a bite to eat or play games between classes. Plus, AU offers meal plan options for both commuter and resident students, freshman through senior year. You’ll also find accessible computer labs, library resources and spaces throughout campus where you can study and chat with friends.

Our Counseling Center and Wellness Center provide professional counselors and nurses who are trained to work with college-aged students. And AU staff members are always available to ensure you stay safe, happy and healthy.

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Hill Welcome Center and Schingoethe Center of Aurora University

John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School

Crimi Auditorium, Ethel Tapper Recital Hall and Perry Theatre

Counseling Center and Wellnes Center

Eckhart Hall

Residence Halls: Centennial, Davis, Jenks, Memorial, Watkins and Wilkinson

Student Dining Hall, Spartan Hideaway, Spartan Spot and La Carte

Spartan Weight Room and Fitness Center

Thornton Gymnasium

Phillips Library and Academic Support Center

Vago Field

The Quadrangle

Sophomore communication and media and theatre double major

Meet Jasmine

How would I describe myself? I’m spunky, really outgoing and pretty loud — but in a good way.

That’s one of the reasons I’m double majoring in communication and media and theatre. I love telling stories with my actions, my mood and with language.

I think there’s something beautiful and true about it — and people can feel it!

I guess that’s why I enjoy being a peer advisor, too.

I love meeting freshmen. They are so excited about coming to AU and I like being able to cultivate that excitement, show them that I care, and help them find their place here.

That sense of caring is everywhere at AU. We’re one big family and we look out for one another. Whether it’s me, your resident assistant, a faculty member — there’s always going to be someone who will listen to you and make you feel like you belong.

And there’s plenty to belong to. In addition to being a peer advisor, for example, I’m a member of the campus InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and involved in the Leadership Education And Development (LEAD) program. My part-time job at the Crouse Center and my theatre rehearsals keep me busy, but I still have time to hang out with my friends in my residence hall or at the Spartan Spot.

Majoring in communication and media and theatre is a good fit for me. After graduation, I’d love to be on stage, but if that doesn’t work out, I’d like to write for something online like Buzzfeed or maybe do PR for a theatre company. For me, it’s really all about telling stories and I know AU is preparing me to do that.

To hear more about AU, visit aurora.edu/experienceAU

$100K+ 700+ students live on campus

Programs are designed to allow you to

DOUBLE MAJOR AND FINISH IN FOUR YEARS CAREER COUNSELORS help you explore your interests, find internships and start a meaningful career

music and theatre scholarships awarded for fall 2016

128 full-time instructional faculty members

650 students work on campus

ONE OF THE LOWEST PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION RATES in Illinois

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Discover your Spartan spirit With 24 NCAA Division III teams, we have a strong tradition of excellence both on and off the playing fields. Our coaches foster academic achievement and develop leadership skills in addition to the techniques of the game. They know it’s important to give back to the community, too. »» Basketball (M, W) »» Baseball (M) »» Bowling (W) »» Cross Country (M, W) »» Football (M)

»» Golf (M, W) »» Hockey (M, W) »» Lacrosse (M, W) »» Soccer (M, W) »» Softball (W)

»» Tennis (M, W) »» Track and Field (M, W) indoor and outdoor »» Volleyball (M, W)

A New Home-Field Advantage for the AU Spartans Spartan Athletic Park is located on a 80-acre site less than a mile from the university’s main campus. The new multisport complex will house championship-quality venues for softball, lacrosse, soccer, football, baseball, track, tennis and more.

Learn more at spartans.aurora.edu Tentative design concept as of August 2017.

Final design subject to change.

Want to play for AU? Visit athletics.aurora.edu/recruits auspartans

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Sophomore criminal justice major

Meet Ryan

For me, commuting to campus is very convenient. I live at home, about 10 minutes away, with my mom and my twin brother Rodney. Rodney and I commute together.

He’s a sophomore like me, only he’s studying nursing and I’m in the criminal justice program. Our schedules are pretty different during the day, but we both like to get here early, about 7 or 8 in the morning, and leave late at night, sometimes past 10.

As a commuter student, I stay connected because I really think it adds to the whole college experience. I go to as many campus events as I can, whether it’s a hypnotist or a magician — the Activities Programming Board always has something going on. And then there’s always a concert or a play or a speaker — all free. The Spartan Spot is probably my favorite place on campus to just hang out or study. It’s easy to make friends there, and I love playing pingpong.

I also make time to be involved in student organizations like the Latin American Student Organization (LASO). We do a lot of volunteer work in the Hispanic community and with a nonprofit group called Feed My Starving Children, which sends packages of food to needy kids all over the world.

My brother and I are peer advisors, too. We both like to help people in different ways. I believe it takes just one person to make a difference in people’s lives. I think my degree in criminal justice — and all my other experiences here — will help me be better able to do that.

To hear more about AU, visit aurora.edu/experienceAU

45%+ of first-year students commute

60+ student clubs and organizations

100+ free concerts, lectures, comedy shows, films and theatre productions each year

70%+ of students participate in immersive learning, including internships, studyabroad, research and service projects

4 ON-CAMPUS DINING OPTIONS including traditional, grab-and-go, grill and coffee house

32,000+

22

in the alumni network

intramural sports

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Discover your path We know that the cost of a college education is a crucial matter for you and your family. That’s why we offer scholarships and generous financial aid packages. In fact, more than 98 percent of AU students receive some form of financial aid.

Take the next step. Submit your free application online at aurora.edu/apply.

Rolling Admission Policy AU reviews applications as they are completed with official transcripts and/ or test scores, and students are notified about admission decisions throughout the admission cycle. High school students who have a strong desire to attend Aurora University are encouraged to apply early in their senior year.

Scholarships Merit-based scholarships for incoming undergraduate students are awarded based on previous academic achievement. You will be automatically considered for scholarships when your application for admission is complete.

Need-based Aid State and federal grants and loans are based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Be sure to file your FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1 for maximum consideration of available aid.

For more information, visit aurora.edu/financialaid.

Submit your free application online at aurora.edu/apply

“The way we were taught at Aurora University was a little different. Your professor was there for direction, but at the end of the day it was on us to get it done. That was huge because it’s exactly the same way in my work environment.”

— Malik ’16 Computer science graduate

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“At AU, your education is not a competition, it’s a journey.

And everybody is rooting for you.”

— Rebecca ’16 Health science graduate

Submit your free application online at aurora.edu/apply