Rock Valley College
Rockford, Illinois

Athletics

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RVC competes in NJCAA Division III in football, men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, golf, baseball, softball, and men's and women's tennis. Not to brag, but we're pretty good at it. Our teams have won seven national championships and we have had more than 100 All-Americans.

» Athletics Home
» Athletics Staff
» Athletics News
» Schedules
» Women's Basketball
» Men's Basketball
» Booster Club

Alumni Spotlight Check out our new Alumni Spotlight! Featured this month: John Destin (RVC Football alum)now playing for the University of Tulsa.

Student Life

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Have fun. Try stuff. RVC gives you opportunities to get involved. There are lots of student activities to choose from. We offer more than 20 clubs and organizations. Try your hands at student government. Join the staff of our campus newspaper. What's it going to be?

» Campus Activities Board
» Clubs and Organizations
» Student Government
» Get Involved

Get Involved Check out the full list of our Student Clubs and Organizations!

Academics

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Whether your plan is to take classes and transfer to a four-year university or enter one of our career programs designed to get you into the workforce right away, Rock Valley College has what you are looking for. Select from one of our more than 60 transfer areas or more than 20 career programs.

» Degree Programs
» Course Descriptions
» Faculty
» Course Schedules
» Course Catalog
» Study Abroad

iTunes U Get more out of your lectures with iTunes U!

Admission

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At Rock Valley College, you're not just a number. Our highly respected faculty have master's degrees, doctorates and real-world experience. You won't be competing for attention in a huge lecture hall. Our average class size is 21, so you'll get a chance to interact, challenge and be challenged by your instructors.

» Registration
» Priority Registration
» Advising and Counseling
» Visit Campus
» Adult Students

Getting Started Get started at RVC in just a few easy steps.

Student Services

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Whether you are new to the college or know your way around, we have a variety of services designed to help you succeed. We're here for you every step of the way.

» Financial Aid
» Disability Support Services
» Career Services
» Advising/Counseling
» Tutoring Lab

EPS Our Educational Planning Sessions will give you a head start on what to expect at RVC. 

Library

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The Estelle M. Black Library at Rock Valley College features nearly 75,000 volumes and more than 650 periodicals, and access to the interlibrary loan system. It also features spaces for individual and group study, and if you get thirsty, there's a coffee shop in the lobby!

» Library Home Page
» Library Catalog
» Library Databases
» Library FAQs
» Research Guides

Library Catalog Search our online catalog.

Honors Program Benefits and Characteristics

Benefits

The Honors Program at Rock Valley College offers many benefits for students who qualify:

  • The experience of working with other students who have demonstrated their abilities and high achievement and who are serious about their education.
  • The support of an Honors Counselor.
  • The opportunity to work closely with highly motivated and innovative professional educators who are committed to academic excellence and the Honors Program experience.
  • Tuition waivers for 13 honors credit hours per academic year.
  • An Honors Center equipped with computers and other resources for research and collaboration—a place for study, special programs, and meeting with fellow Honors Program members.
  • Honors co-curricular functions such as colloquia, symposia, forums, seminars, often with visiting guest speakers, panels, focus groups, and special themes and topics — all to broaden and enrich the honors experience.
  • Recognition of honors participation or program completion at graduation ceremonies, on the diploma, and on the official transcript.
  • Enhanced appeal to transfer institutions of higher learning and to potential employers.

Characteristics

In general, Honors courses at Rock Valley College will:

  • Cover material in greater depth and with more academic rigor than the traditional version of the same course;
  • Involve more extensive reading and/or the reading of more complex and sophisticated texts than in the traditional course;
  • Encompass more complex concepts than in the traditional course, stressing analysis, insight, and critical thinking;
  • Place greater emphasis on development of communication skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening;
  • Include the discussion of applicable theories and concepts underlying and associated with the respective field/subject/discipline of the course;
  • Require more outside-of-class preparation as well as active participation and discussion in class;
  • Require students to take a greater share of responsibility for their own learning than in the traditional class;
  • Require students to demonstrate individual initiative, aptitude, and leadership abilities as well as teamwork skills in research, lively discussion, collaboration, and exploration.
  • Often require more extensive papers, research, and special projects;
  • Usually incorporate innovative pedagogical methods and be open to new teaching and learning methodologies;
  • Utilize computers and state-of-the art technology whenever possible.