Harper College will be closed Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day.
The Innovation Accelerator at Harper College is a collaborative initiative created to promote the development of cutting-edge education programs aligned with current employer demands. We work closely with community business leaders to design career-focused learning opportunities that prepare Harper graduates to enter the workforce as highly skilled employees. Our goal is to establish effective partnerships with regional employers to address industry needs and ensure that students acquire relevant, real-world skills for the career fields positioned for future growth.
The Innovation Accelerator is dedicated to fostering partnerships with business leaders and promoting emerging technologies to the benefit of education and student success. Visit our BILT and AI Consortium pages to learn more about these initiatives.
To learn more about our other initiatives and history, visit About Innovation Accelerator.
We are seeking business leaders across various industries to collaborate in designing career-focused programs that guarantee students will have the skills you're looking for in future employees. Our BILT is a unique opportunity to use your expertise to make a profound impact on the future of education and employment in the community.
Planned for Spring 2026, the consortium aims to foster collaboration among educators, school administrators, and higher education institutions to explore effective AI strategies. The goal is to enhance teaching practices utilizing artificial intelligence and improve student learning outcomes.
Collaborative of faculty, administrators and business leaders helps develop new Harper College degree programs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and more....
I have loved the opportunity to meet with students, to understand the direction higher
education is taking to better prepare young students for careers in tech, and to network
with other professionals with similar goals in educating and advocating for students
and education. 
Giving back and supporting newcomers to the fields of IT and Cybersecurity is extremely
satisfying. The BILT feels like a way to do both.
Involving future employers in the process is a huge plus for the program. Getting
both Fortune 500 companies and small businesses into the process guaranteed the quality
of the program for me. Innovation Accelerator
Phone: 847.925.6700
Email: innovation@harpercollege.edu