About the Illinois Tech ExLENT Program

This Illinois Tech ExLENT Program is an NSF-funded Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) program (Award # 2322772). The Program aims to provide unique opportunities for non-traditional adult learners in underserved groups, particularly veterans with or without disability, to reskill/upskill in emerging and novel technologies and reintegrate into civilian society, creating a strong career path to close the gap of job and economic.

The training is provided through a pioneering education program, the Certificate Program in Sensor Technology for Experiential Learning. This 9-credit Certificate Program consists of education and mentored research in sensor technology in an academic setting, followed by correlated industrial internship training. Through the International Center for Sensor Science and Engineering (ICSSE), the Program breaks the conventional disciplinary barriers and assembles a team of experts to provide cross-disciplinary, experiential training. The goal of the Program is to prepare the participants to establish the technical capability for tackling multifaceted challenges at workplace for industries such as healthcare, defense, space, and environmental control.

Non-traditional adult learners in underserved groups, particularly veterans with or without disability, are strongly encouraged to apply. The training offers dedicated supervision, hands-on training, and one-on-one career support through the collaboration among participants, faculty mentors, industrial partners, and VA associated organizations. Veterans are eligible for tuition and internship stipend coverage under the NSF grant.

The Certificate Program is open to all students and is designed to complement a student’s chosen degree path, whether it’s chemistry, physics, biology, food science, computer science, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, or information technology.