Rockford University, formerly Rockford College, is a four- year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. We offer approximately 80 majors, minors and concentrations, including the bachelor’s degree completion programs for BS in Management Studies and BS in Accounting Studies. Through our Graduate Studies department, degrees are extended to include the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and a Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and as a 2020 Best Regional University by U.S. News and World Report, we currently serve approximately 1,230 full-and part-time students. Our mission is to educate men and women to lead responsible lives by means of a curriculum grounded in liberal arts learning and complemented and extended by professional and practical experience.
A NCAA Division III institution, the university offers 12 intercollegiate varsity teams along with several junior varsity teams and participates in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. Approximately 31 percent of the university’s students participate in at least one intercollegiate sport. For more about Regent Athletics, visit goregents.com.
Our History
In 1847, during one of the great college-building eras in American history, Rockford Female Seminary was chartered by the Illinois legislature. The citizens of Rockford (population 2,500) pledged $3,500 to erect a building for the ambitious enterprise.
The first classes were held in the old downtown courthouse. Soon, however, the seminary moved to its own campus between the Rock River and Seminary Street. More than a century later, in the mid-1960s, the College moved to its present location at the eastern edge of the city.
The University has been an educational pioneer from the very beginning. In the 1840s, when Americans still doubted the value of educating women, the decision to make the curriculum at Rockford Female Seminary as demanding as that of a men’s college was a bold one. In 1882, Rockford Female Seminary granted its first bachelor’s degrees including that of Nobel Peace Prize recipient Jane Addams. In 1892, Rockford Female Seminary became Rockford College®. In 2013, Rockford College® became Rockford University.
The University was involved early in the development of adult education, offering the first such courses in 1919. In 1952, responding to a need in the community, the Center for Learning Strategies opened its doors to help young people and adults improve their academic skills. Men were first admitted to classes during World War II, when Rockford College® offered cooperative educational programs with the Illinois Institute of Technology. The institution became fully coeducational in 1958.
Mission & Learning Expectations
Our mission is to educate men and women to lead responsible lives by means of a curriculum grounded in liberal arts learning and complemented and extended by professional and practical experience. Through the total academic and co-curricular experience, Rockford University strives to prepare students for fulfilling lives, careers, and participation in a modern and changing global society. Rockford University Learning Expectations:
• Knowledge – for Understanding the world
• Values – for Envisioning the world
• Skills – for Shaping the world
Accreditation
Rockford University is a private, independent, coeducational university providing courses of study leading to baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Academic programs are based on a foundation of learning in the liberal arts. The university emphasizes excellence in teaching and has a strong commitment to scholarly activity, creative expression and community service. The educational program is characterized by a concern for the needs of all students and reflects the basic human rights and responsibilities of a democratic society. Rockford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) which is the regional accrediting body for the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Rockford University has been accredited since 1913. For more information on HLC, visit http://www.hlcommission.org.
Distinctions
Rockford University has garnered numerous distinctions in recent years, making it an institution that stands out. Among the most notable:
• Academic Excellence: One of 11 colleges and universities in Illinois and 290 in the country with a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious liberal arts academic honor society.
• Community Engagement: Rockford University joins just 361 other colleges and universities from across the nation, and one of only 11 in Illinois, to receive the 2015 Community Engagement Classification from The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The classification is valid through 2025.
• College with a Conscience: One of 81 U.S. colleges and universities in the Princeton Review book, Colleges with a Conscience, Rockford University was recognized for our strong ethos of civic engagement and the opportunities for community service offered to our students.
• Access through Economic Diversity: Ranked by the 2020 U.S. News and World Report as an Economically Diverse Regional University, underscoring our long-standing and successful effort to promote access for qualified students to excellent higher education, irrespective of the financial means of those students and their families.
• Student Engagement and Satisfaction: Shown by the 2014 National Survey of Student Engagement as performing at or above U.S. norms on virtually all measures of student engagement.
• Best in the Midwest: Regularly recognized as a best Midwestern university by national ranking websites, including:
o U.S. News & World Report: Named as a 2021 Best Regional University.
o The Princeton Review: Consistently ranked as one of the Best Midwestern Colleges based on student opinion data and The Princeton Review’s standards for academic excellence within each region.
o College Consensus: Named one of the 2020 Best Regional Universities based on results from the most reputable college ranking publishers and student reviews.
• Advocate for Social Mobility: Named by the 2020 U.S. News & World Report as a Top Performer on Social Mobility for successfully advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students that receive Pell Grants.
• Emphasis on Community Service: Named consecutively since 2008 to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll based on innovative and effective community service and service learning programs.
SOURCE: Department of Marketing and Communications
Campus Infrastructure
Rockford University Campus Acreage: 155 acres
SOURCE: Physical Plant; Residence Life
NOTE: * Classrooms and Lab counts do not include offices or conference rooms.
Campus Safety
The following crime statistics are in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (formerly the Campus Security Act).
Campus Crime Statistics
Criminal Offenses: On Campus, Residence Halls
SOURCE: 2021 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, Department of Public Safety
… ACADEMICS …
Programs of Study, Academic Year 2021-22
Undergraduate Majors:
Tracks/Concentration in italics
Accounting (B.S)
Accounting Studies (B.A., B.S.)
CPA
Art (B.A., B.F.A.)
2-Dimensional Art
3-Dimensional Art
Graphic Design
Art History (B.A.)
Biochemistry (B.S.)
ACS Certification
Biology (B.A., B.S.)
Biomedical Sciences
Conservation & Wildlife
Business Administration (B.A., B.S.)
Finance
Management
Marketing
Chemistry (B.A., B.S.)
ACS Certification
Computer Science (B.A., B.S.)
Management Information Systems
Web Development
Criminal Justice (B.A., B.S.)
Dance (B.A., B.F.A.)
Early Childhood Education (B.A., B.S.)
Economics (B.A., B.S.)
Finance
International Economics
Public Policy
Elementary Education (Grades 1-6) (B.A., B.S.)
English (B.A.)
History (B.A., B.S.)
Secondary Education Minors
Human Development (B.A., B.S.)
Child/Adolescent Development
Gerontology
Lifespan
Humanities (B.A.)
International Studies (B.A., B.S.)
Area Studies
Arts & Peoples
Environment & Development
Ideas & Religions
Politics & Economy
Security & Peace Studies
Kinesiology (B.A., B.S.)
Exercise Science
Sport Management
Teaching
Management Studies (B.S.M.S. - Adult Accelerated)
Human Resources
Mathematics (B.A., B.S.)
General
Computational
Middle Grades Education (B.A., B.S.)
Nursing (B.S.N.)
Political Science (B.A., B.S.)
American Studies
Constitutional Studies
Legal Studies
Political Ideas
Politics and Cultures
War and Peace
Psychology (B.A., B.S.)
Science and Mathematics (B.A., B.S.)
Social Sciences (B.A.)
Sociology (B.A., B.S.)
Spanish (B.A.)
Special Education (B.A., B.S.)
Theatre (B.F.A.)
Acting/Directing
Design/Technical
Musical Theatre Performance
Theatre Management
Theatre Arts (B.A.)
Pre-Professional Programs:
Pre-Law
Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Medicine
Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Undergraduate Certificates
Finance
Geropsychology
Human Resources
Leadership
Marketing
Operations Management
Undergraduate Minors:
Accounting
Ancient and Medieval Studies
Art
Art History
Bilingual Education
Biology
Business Administration
Chemistry
Classical Civilization
Coaching
Criminal Justice
Dance
Economics
English
English as a Second Language Education
Entrepreneurship
Ethics
Exercise Science
Gender Studies
Graphic Design
Health
History
Human Development
Child/Adolescent Development
Gerontology
Lifespan
International Studies
K-12 Education
Latin American, Caribbean, & Iberian Studies
Linguistics and Translation
Management Information Systems
Marketing
Mathematics
Music
Peace and Conflict Studies
Philosophy
Physical Education
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Religious Studies
Secondary Education (Grade 9-12)
Sociology
Spanish
Special Education
Sport Management
Theatre Arts
Theatre Management
Web Development
Graduate Programs:
Tracks/Concentration in italics
Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Accounting/CPA
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Health Care Administration
Marketing
Project Management
Graduate Certificates in Business Administration
Finance
Health Care Administration
Project Management
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Pedagogical Practice
Urban Education
M.Ed. with thesis option (one endorsement)
Bilingual
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2)
Elementary (Grade 1-6)
Physical Education
Reading Teacher
Special Education (LBSI)
M.Ed. with no thesis option (two endorsements)
Reading Specialist with LBSI Endorsement
Reading Teacher with LBSI Endorsement
Reading Teacher with ESL Endorsement
Special Education with ESL Endorsement
Special Education with Bilingual/ESL
Endorsement
Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
Early Childhood
Elementary (Grade 1-6)
Secondary
Biology
Chemistry
Drama/Theatre Arts
English/Language Arts
History/Social Science
Mathematics
K–12
World Language
Spanish
Physical Education
Visual Arts
Special Education (LBS1)
Middle Grades
Programs Available for Licensed Educators
Bilingual
English as a Second Language
Learning Behavior Specialist 1
Reading Teacher
Reading Specialist Programs without Professional Educator License
Education
Instructional Strategies
Entertainment DVDs and A/V Media
Howard Colman Library
Study Suites
Dedicated Individual Study Carrels
1,765 itemsplus access to thousands of titles in 10 subject specific digital streaming video collections 1,143 itemsplus access to thousands of titles in 11 subject specific digital streaming video collections 1,143 itemsplus access to thousands of titles in 11 subject specific digital streaming video collections 1,143 itemsplus access to thousands of titles in 11 subject specific digital streaming video collections
5 suites (1 suite with a SMART Board & 4 suites with A/V)
SOURCE: Howard Colman Library
5 suites (1 suite with a SMART Board & 4 suites with A/V)
5 suites (1 suite with a SMART Board & 4 suites with A/V)
5 suites (1 suite with a SMART Board & 4 suites with A/V)
1,143 itemsplus access to thousands of titles in 11 subject specific digital streaming video collections
5 suites (1 suite with a SMART Board & 4 suites with A/V)
Student Enrollment
SOURCE: IPEDS 2021-22 Fall Enrollment Survey, Prepared by the Office of Institutional Research
Admissions
Entering Students, Fall 2021
SOURCE: Undergraduate Admission and the Adult Accelerated and Graduate Admission Office
Student Demographics, Fall 2021
Race & Gender
Undergraduate Students Characteristics
Student-To-Faculty Ratio
SOURCE: IPEDS 2021 Fall Enrollment Survey by the Office of Institutional Research
Degree Completions
Bachelor's Degrees Conferred by Gender and Race
SOURCE: Multi-Year IPEDS Completions Surveys by the Office of Institutional Research NOTE: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
Master's Degrees Conferred by Gender and Race
SOURCE: Multi-Year IPEDS Completions Surveys by the Office of Institutional Research NOTE: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
Completions continued
SOURCE: Multi-Year IPEDS Completions Surveys by the Office of Institutional Research
NOTE: Summing the number of degrees conferred for each major does not equal the total number of graduates because some students graduate with double majors. Similarly, the sum of percentages will be greater than 100%.
Completions
SOURCE: Multi-Year IPEDS Completions Surveys by the Office of Institutional Research
NOTE: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
* The first Master of Education Degrees were conferred in 2018-2019.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition, Residence Hall Room and Board
Fees
Student Activity Fee
Tuition Deposit (Non-refundable, when a student accepts admission)
Non-Refundable Registration Fee
Graduate Application Fee
SOURCE: Student Administrative Services (SAS)
Financial Aid to Undergraduates - 2021-2022
$250.00/year
$100
$75.00/semester
$50
Below are the total dollar amounts awarded to the full-time and less than full-time degree-seeking undergraduates enrolled. These totals also include aid awarded to international students. Aid that was non-need-based but that was used to meet need is reported in the need-based aid columns.
Financial Aid to Undergraduates - 2021-2022
Need-based $ (Include non-need-based aid used to meet need.)
Non-need-based $ (Exclude non-need-based aid used to meet need.)
Scholarships/Grants
State (i.e., all states, not only the state in which your institution is located)
Institutional: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants, awarded by the college, excluding athletic aid and tuition waivers (which are reported below).
Scholarships/grants from external sources (e.g., Kiwanis, National Merit) not awarded by the college $205,390 $50,733 Total Scholarships/Grants
Self-Help
Student loans from all sources (excluding parent loans)
Federal Work-Study $100,837 State and other (e.g., institutional) work-study/employment (Note: Excludes Federal Work-Study captured above.)
Source: Student Administrative Services (SAS)
Student Activities – Clubs & Organizations
By participating in the Campus Activities Board (CAB), Rockford University students plan events for the entire campus to enjoy. CAB is a student group that brings musicians, comedians, and other performers to campus. CAB also programs Homecoming, Family Weekend, April Weekend, and dances. Students also play an important role in college governance through the Student Government Association (SGA). Student representatives may hold memberships on the Board of Trustees and its Student Life Committee, as well as being members of the standing committees of SGA. During the academic year 2021-2022 Rockford University had 15 registered student clubs and organizations:
Alpha Helix
Black Student Union (BSU)
Campus Activities Board (CAB)
Commuter Council
Leading Educators Club
Multicultural Club
Sign Language Club
Nursing Student Organization
Sexual and Gender Alliance (SAGA)
Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
Student Government Association (SGA)
Universal Club
Tennis Club
First Gen. Forward
Art Club
Residence Life
Full-Time Undergraduate Students Living on Campus
SOURCE: Department of Student Life
NOTE: Percentages represent the percentage of all full-time undergraduate students in each category.
Athletics
Rockford University competes in the NCAA Division III, Northern Athletics Conference. Approximately 33% of the full-time undergraduate population participated in intercollegiate athletics in Academic Year 2021-22.
SOURCE: Athletic Department Rosters
Alumni
Let's take a look at where we can find our RU Alumni across the country…
...and around the globe!
Continent Number Countries
Africa 16
Chad, Kenya, Niger, South Africa, Swaziland, Republic of the Congo, United Republic of Tanzania, Togo, Uganda
Asia 148 China, Gaza Strip, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Republic of (Taiwan) China, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Turkey
Europe 90 Austria, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
North America 26
Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos Islands
Oceania 4 Australia, Cocos Islands, Guam
South America 8 Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay
Grand Total 292
SOURCE: Office of Advancement
… UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL …
Faculty Profiles
SOURCE: 2020-21 IPEDS Human Resources survey by the Office of Institutional Research
NOTE: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
President’s Executive Council
Dr. Eric W. Fulcomer, President
Dr. Michael Perry, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Ms. Lisa Custardo, Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Stephen Kull, Vice President for Advancement
Mr. Michael Quinn, Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management
Dr. Randy Worden, Vice President of Student Life
Board of Trustees Members
Officers:
Joel J. Moore
Barbara R. Tanaglia
L. Thomas Heiser
Jeffry Potter
Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D.
Members:
Keith Akre
Greg Allen
Charles Box
Deborah Breiter, Ph.D.
Elizabeth Donovan
Nor Alamery, Student Trustee
Rebecca Epperson
Dawn Gile, Alumni Trustee
Anisha Grimmett
Elizabeth Hegel
Ganesh Iyer
Iain D. Johnston
James Keeling
Thomas Muldowney
Julie O’Rourke
Aaron Potter
Mike Schablaske
Marci K. Taets
Patricia Tumilowicz
Frank E. Walter
Janet Zelenka
Emeriti Trustees:
James H. Clarke, Ph.D
Charles L. Colman
Kenelm A. Groff
Dawn R. Hallsten
Helen C. Hill
Charles J. Howard
Teresa J. Ingrassia
Dennis W. Johnson
Kent A. Mallquist
Sunil Puri
David Rydell
Richard M. Schilling, Sr.
Louise C. Sinclaire
Angelo L. Spoto
James S. Whitehead
Jonathan S. Whitlock
R. Ray Wood
Fred Young
President Emeriti:
Robert L. Head, Ph.D.
William A. Shields, Ph.D.
Rockford University Presidents
The following is a list of our past and present Rockford University presidents. Included in this count are the first four principals of Rockford Female Seminary.
• Anna Peck Still – Founder and 1st Principal of Rockford Female Seminary, 1852-1884
• Martha Hillard, 2nd Principal of Rockford Female Seminary, 1884-1888
• Anna Gelston – 3rd Principal of Rockford Female Seminary, 1888-1890
• Sarah F. Anderson –4th Principal of Rockford Female Seminary and President of Rockford College, 1890-1896
• Phebe T. Sutliff – 5th President of Rockford College, 1896-1901
• Emily K. Reynolds – 6th President of Rockford College, 1901-1902
• Julia Gulliver – 7th President of Rockford College, 1902-1919
• Dr. William A. Maddox – 8th President of Rockford College,1919-1933
• Dr. John Gordon – Acting President of Rockford College, 1933-1934
• Dr. Gordon K. Chalmers – 9th President of Rockford College, 1934-1937
• Dr. Mary Ashby Cheek – 10th President of Rockford College, 1937-1954
• Dr. Leland H. Carlson – 11th President of Rockford College, 1954-1959
• Dr. John A Howard – 12th President of Rockford College, 1960-1977
• John D. Spence – Acting President of Rockford College, 1977-1979
• Dr. Norman Stewart – 13th President of Rockford College, 1979-1988
• Dr. Gretchen Von Lowe Kreuter – 14th President of Rockford College, 1988-1992
• Dr. William A Shields – 15th President of Rockford College, 1992-2002
• Dr. Paul Pribbenow – 16th President of Rockford College, 2002-2006
• Dr. Richard Kneedler – Interim President of Rockford College, 2006-2008
• Dr. Robert Head – 17th President of Rockford University, 2008-2016
• Dr. Eric W. Fulcomer – 18th President of Rockford University, 2016-present
The Rockford University Academic Year 2021-22 Fact Book is produced by Dr. Stephen Kim in the Office of Institutional Research. Every effort is made to include the most accurate, currently available data along with historical trends. A majority of the data in this edition reflects the 2021-2022 academic year. A PDF version of the fact book is available on the Rockford University website, www.rockford.edu. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Dr. Kim, Director of Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness, at skim@rockford.edu.
