Aurora University Viewbook 2015-2016

Aurora University

AURORA UNIVERSITY — FOUNDED IN 1893

On the cover: The Hill Welcome Center and Schingoethe Center of Aurora University together provide a “front door� to the main campus. The combined building houses a recital hall, gallery spaces and gathering rooms for meals and conversation.

Discover what matters. And build your life around it.

At AU, you’ll become part of a close-knit group of students, faculty and staff.

You’ll work with classmates and professors to analyze real-world problems and find solutions.

You’ll find clubs, professional organizations, athletics, music and theatre opportunities to expand your horizons, change your perspectives and help you become a leader.

You’ll transform yourself into a difference maker.

Join us at Aurora University.

Submit your free application online at aurora.edu/apply /aurorauniversity

@aurorau

/aurorauniversity

PAGE 1

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

98

PERCENT OF STUDENTS

3,800 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

1,700

GRADUATE STUDENTS

39 number of states students hail from

receive financial aid

23

>$23M

average class size

financial aid awarded in 2014–2015

6

15:1

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

•

•

• •

•

•

•

•

Art History Athletic Training (BS)

•

Bilingual/ESL

• •

•

Biology (BA, BS)

•

Biotechnology

•

Business Administration (BA, BS)

•

•

Chemistry

•

Multimedia Journalism

•

Museum Studies

•

Music (BA) Nursing (BSN)

•

Organizational Management Philosophy (BA) Physical Education Teaching Certification K–12 (BA)

•

Physiology

•

Political Science (BA)

Communication (BA)

•

Pre-Law

•

Computer Science (BS)

•

Professional Selling

•

Creative Writing

•

•

Psychology (BA)

•

Criminal Justice (BA)

•

•

Religion (BA)

•

Digital Marketing

•

Secondary Education (supplemental major)

Disability Studies (BA) • •

Elementary Education (BA)

•

School Health Education

English (BA)

•

Servant Leadership

Exercise Science (BS)

•

•

Film Studies

•

•

Finance (BA, BS)

•

•

Spanish (BA)

•

French

•

•

Special Education (BA)

•

Gender Studies

•

Speech Communication

•

Speech Pathology (BS) (Communication Sciences and Disorders)

• •

Graphic Design

•

Social Work (BSW) •

Health Science (BS)

Sociology (BA)

Health Promotion

•

Sport Management

•

History (BA)

•

Statistics

•

Homeland Security

• •

•

•

•

Mathematics (BS) Media Studies (BA)

Coaching Coaching and Youth Sport Development (BA)

• •

•

•

Art (BA)

• •

Marketing (BA, BS)

American Culture and Ethnic Studies

•

•

Latin American and Latino/a Studies

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

m

•

Accounting (BA, BS) Actuarial Science (BS)

• •

M

•

Integrated Marketing Communication

•

International Business

•

International Studies

•

•

Strategic Communication

•

Theatre (BA)

M = Majors | m = minors

PAGE 3

Senior social work major

Meet Christy There’s no such thing as a ‘typical day’ for me here at Aurora University, and I find that energizing! In the mornings some days I start with tennis practice or I might have an activities board planning meeting. In the afternoons I could be working on campus or volunteering in the community, and that really makes the time fly by.

And then at night there are always a lot of events happening so I could be going to a residence hall social or an on-campus concert with my friends.

I guess I’d say being involved has defined my time at AU. I know when I look back on my days here that I will have experienced college to the fullest. I’m having fun, and I’m also learning a great deal about leadership, organization and time management, which is very beneficial since I keep a full schedule. I’m a resident assistant, a tennis team captain and a member of several different academic and professional organizations—and I’d do even more if I had the time!

I feel like all of this diversity is building my background and shaping my future. I know that being able to participate in relevant programs and enjoy a variety of events will be a huge benefit for me going forward. I want to be an advocate for social change, and AU is helping me make that happen.

To hear more about AU from Christy, visit aurora.edu/christy

>100 free concerts, lectures, comedians, ďŹ lms and theatre productions each year

AURORA CHICAGO

19 intramural sports

60+ student clubs and organizations

a short train ride away

700+ students who live on campus

>$80K music and theatre scholarships awarded for fall 2015

PAGE 5

Discover your future 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 that bring learning to life.

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.

And for those driven to serve and guided by their 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 and Coaching group, you can directly explore your chosen field through the numerous professional organizations connected to 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 /aurorauniversity

@aurorau

/aurorauniversity

PAGE 7

Hill Welcome Center

John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School

Spartan Spot

Perry Theatre

Spartan Hideaway

Crimi Auditorium

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

Vago Field

Student Dining Hall

Spartan Weight Room

Thornton Gymnasium

LaCarte

Fitness Center

The Quadrangle

Submit your free application online at aurora.edu/apply /aurorauniversity

@aurorau

/aurorauniversity

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.

Or you can hangout with fellow commuter and resident students in the Spartan Spot, Spartan Hideaway, the Dunham Atrium or other gathering places to grab a bite to eat or play games in-between classes. Plus AU has meal plan options for all students, both commuter and resident students, freshman through senior year. You’ll also find accessible computer labs, library resources and spaces throughout campus to 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 is always available to ensure you stay safe, happy and healthy.

PAGE 9

Sophomore psychology major

Meet Antonio Whether I’m in the classroom working as a student, or on the basketball court in my role as an assistant coach, my goal is to always be carving out a unique path, a distinctive college experience for myself.

This is one of the great aspects of being at Aurora University—the small college atmosphere is what really makes it possible for me to do what I dream about doing. During my first campus visit, I knew I was in the right place! You know how you just make an instant connection with something and you realize it’s what you want? That’s what I felt at AU. I have never been a fan of big schools with oversized classrooms. AU is more personable and provides me with the opportunities to pursue my passions, like the coaching career I started in high school. As a student assistant coach for the AU women’s basketball team, I’m able to share my knowledge with the team, offer another idea or viewpoint and also learn a lot about myself in the process. Head Coach Brittany Carper has really taken me under her wing and is teaching me to be a better coach and student. It’s so wonderful to feel like I’m a part of something, like I’m making a contribution to the greater team goal.

With Coach Carper’s support, along with all of my other professors, I couldn’t ask for a more wellrounded education. It’s what makes AU the right school for me.

To hear more about AU from Antonio, visit aurora.edu/antonio

ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTER

22

open 40 hours/week

NCAA Division III teams

55%

>134

of freshmen live in an AU residence hall

conference championships

96+ NCAA tournament appearances

79

PERCENT OF OUR FACULTY

hold the highest degree in their ďŹ eld

122 full-time instructional faculty members

PAGE 11

Discover your Spartan spirit » » » »

Basketball (M, W) Baseball (M) Bowling (W) Cross Country (M, W)

» Football (M) » Golf (M, W) » Hockey (M) NCAA and club

» » » »

Lacrosse (M, W) Soccer (M, W) Softball (W) Tennis (M, W)

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

With 22 NCAA Division III teams, we have a strong tradition of excellence both on and off the playing ďŹ elds. Our coaches foster academic achievement and develop leadership skills in addition to the techniques of the game. And, they know it’s important to give back to the community.

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

@AU_Spartans

/auspartansports

PAGE 13

2015 AU graduate

Meet Kaylee I’ve always been someone driven to make the most of my opportunities, and that was such a huge part of being at Aurora University. Graduating last spring was a special feeling, and there’s no doubt in my mind that I can easily make a connection between my success as a student and now as a communications and marketing professional back to my time at AU. Taking graphic design and marketing classes really helped me discover what mattered to me, and what direction I wanted to go with my career. With all of the flexibility AU offers, I was able to balance my major with an emphasis in media arts, and achieve minors in digital marketing and strategic communication. I also had the chance to complete three internships before I graduated!

I’m not sure I could have done all this at another school.

Today I’m applying everything I’ve learned as a student, and all the skills, knowledge and experience I picked up as an intern to my position as a marketing specialist.

And I really like my job a lot! Right now I’m planning a tradeshow that has a $1 million budget. AU definitely helped prepare me to take on a task this large—I’m proud to say I’m an AU alumna.

To hear more about AU from Kaylee, visit aurora.edu/kaylee

>70% 13 HRS/DAY librarians are availble to help via live chat

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

600+ students work on campus

students participate in “high-impact” learning, including internships, study abroad, research and service projects

CAREER COUNSELORS help you explore your interests, find internships and start a meaningful career

>32,000 network of alumni

PAGE 15

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. Students who have a strong desire to attend Aurora University are encouraged to apply early in their senior year of high school.

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 January 1 for maximum consideration of available aid.

To request a paper application in the mail, please call the Office of Admission and Financial Aid at 630-844-5533 or 800-742-5281.

For more information, visit aurora.edu/financialaid.

Submit your free application online at aurora.edu/apply /aurorauniversity

@aurorau

/aurorauniversity

PAGE 17

Submit your free application online at aurora.edu/apply /aurorauniversity

@aurorau

The John C. Dunham STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Partnership School serves 200 students in third through eighth grades from the Batavia, East Aurora, Indian Prairie, and West Aurora school districts. Its curriculum was developed through a unique collaboration between area educators and local corporations, and it is staffed through a professional development strategy that engages teachers from the partner districts as faculty.

The STEM school is also the most contemporary, high-tech, environmentally-friendly building on the AU campus. In May 2015 the U.S. Green Building Council awarded the school its LEED Platinum certiďŹ cation for best in class energy efficiency, making it one of only three schools in Illinois with this status.

/aurorauniversity