ACES dean attributes large class to CS+X
German Bollero, Dean of the University of Illinois College of ACES, reported that this fall’s incoming class is the largest in decades. He told Brownfield that the class of first-year students is “The largest in the college since the early ‘90s.” He said, So, we're very excited about that. About 645 true freshmen coming through the door.”
He said it results from an increased in-state focus on the opportunities available in agriculture. The college made “Major efforts into promoting and communicating the impact of careers in food, agriculture and natural resources to all kids around the state of Illinois.” He said, “Out of 102 counties in the state, we got 92 represented.”
Bollero said the influx benefits all departments within the college, but especially majors combining computer science and ag: “Computer science plus crop sciences degree, computer science plus animal sciences degrees.” He said, “Careers in natural resources and environmental sciences are growing very fast.”
He confirmed that about five percent of College of ACES students hail from outside of Illinois.