In response to the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s recommendation, a partnership has been established between NIU and two other colleges and Rockford-area community leaders.

NIU President John LaTourette, Rock Valley College President Karl Jacobs, Rockford College President Gretchen Kreuter and 15 Rockford civic and business leaders have agreed to serve on the Rockford leadership advisory council.

Anne Kaplan, executive assistant to LaTourette, said, “It’s more than an advisory council. It is an attempt by three institutions that are most involved in serving greater Rockford to increase the role of community and economic development.”

The council, named the Northern Illinois Regional Academic Center, will allow the leaders of the three schools to assist community leaders in revitalizing the area. The group also might address area social concerns.

The council receives an $100,000 grant from the IBHE under the Higher Education Cooperation Act which will fund the project’s first phase, which is expected to be completed by June 30. IBHE Executive Director Richard Wagner said he supports the joint venture and noted that Rockford is an underserved area “hampered by (a) lack of funding.”

The project will be coordinated by William Luhman, assistant director for the NIU Center for Governmental Studies, and the center’s staff of research associates. The staff will use office space at the Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce, 515 N. Court St.

William Syverson, research associate for the NIU Center for Governmental Studies, said the project will have three phases: setting up the leadership council, looking at the role higher education plays in Rockford and assessing the Rockford area economy and community development efforts. Employment patterns and demographics will be studied in the third phase.

David Stearns, president of the Belvidere National Bank and Trust Company, will lead the council, whose members are from the Rock Valley College district of Winnebago, Boone and part of Ogle counties.

The council will review and assess the area’s economy and quality of life, the results of which will be used by the three institutions to evaluate if higher education needs are being met.

“There will not be any direct affect on elementary schools. They will address the quality of life. This is an area in which they can do something. The initial agreement is for economic matters, but they will address a variety of issues best addressed by higher ed.

“They will present them with their assessment with issues affecting Rockford and provide advice to the community of Rockford,” Kaplan said.

The grant which funds the council was submitted last spring for the IBHE’s approval. Wagner said the IBHE also considers the west and northern suburbs of Chicago to be underserved areas in continuing education.