Aurora University (AU) is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. It is committed to helping students discover what matters and build their life around it. AU is a private, nonprofit, independent university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It offers more than 45 undergraduate majors — such as nursing, social work, business administration, criminal justice and psychology — and a wide variety of master’s and doctoral degrees that include social work and business administration. Degree programs are grounded in real-world experiences and are led by experienced, dedicated faculty members, nearly 140 of whom are full-time. The student/faculty ratio is 18:1. Almost 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students take classes on two main campuses — Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois, and George Williams College in Williams Bay, Wisconsin — as well as the nearby Orchard Center in Aurora and the Woodstock Center in Woodstock, Illinois. Online classes are also available. The Aurora University campus is located 40 miles west of Chicago. AU has 24 NCAA Division III teams competing in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference, Midwest Lacro...sse Conference, Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference and Northern Collegiate Hockey Association. About 700 student-athletes compete in sports. AU has a rich history and tradition of success across the spectrum of sport offerings. From conference championships to NCAA Championship appearances to academic awards and community service, student-athletes and staff continue to bring excitement and a sense of pride to Aurora University and all of the Spartan fans across the country. At AU, we firmly believe that intercollegiate athletics should promote the character development of participants, enhance the integrity of higher education, and promote civility in society. Toward these ends, we strive to adhere to fundamental values such as respect, civility, honesty and responsibility. Student-athletes and staff are always expected to operate with the principles of sportsmanship and ethical conduct in mind. Founded in 1893 in Mendota, Illinois, as Mendota Seminary, the institution soon changed its name to Mendota College. By 1911, it had outgrown its facilities and the following year changed its name to Aurora College and moved to Aurora, where its students could take advantage of a thriving business environment and easy access to Chicago. In 1985, Aurora College changed its name to Aurora University to better reflect the magnitude of its academic offerings. Seven years later, Aurora University and George Williams College traditions blended when the two institutions entered into an affiliation agreement that paved the way for a merger eight years later. In 2010, the Woodstock Center opened to meet the needs of students in McHenry County and surrounding communities. Website: https://aurora.edu/