Early College STEM Program Aims to Ignite Futures for Students at Chicago Military Academy
ComEd has announced a new partnership with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and City Colleges of Chicago's Dawson Technical Institute to enhance the Early College STEM program at Chicago Military Academy (CMA). The initiative, dubbed 'Ignite Your Future,' includes a $100,000 investment from ComEd to expand career-readiness opportunities for students.
Starting Fall 2025, students can pursue an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Construction Management, followed by an Associate of Applied Science in Construction Engineering and Management launching in Spring 2026. The program aims to prepare students for engineering-focused careers in the energy sector, with projections indicating up to 150,000 jobs coming to Illinois by 2050.
ComEd's support includes curriculum development, work-based learning opportunities, and career mentorship through site visits, panel discussions, and project-based learning. This initiative builds on ComEd's existing support of CPS programs such as Chicago BUILDs, Skilled Trades fairs, and Driver's Education EV initiatives.
ComEd ha annunciato una nuova partnership con le Scuole Pubbliche di Chicago (CPS) e il Dawson Technical Institute dei City Colleges of Chicago per migliorare il programma Early College STEM presso la Chicago Military Academy (CMA). L'iniziativa, chiamata 'Accendi il tuo futuro', include un investimento di 100.000 dollari da parte di ComEd per ampliare le opportunità di preparazione professionale per gli studenti.
A partire dal Fall 2025, gli studenti potranno conseguire un Associate in Applied Science Degree in Management delle Costruzioni, seguito da un Associate of Applied Science in Ingegneria e Management delle Costruzioni che sarà lanciato nella Spring 2026. Il programma mira a preparare gli studenti per carriere focalizzate sull'ingegneria nel settore energetico, con proiezioni che indicano fino a 150.000 posti di lavoro in arrivo in Illinois entro il 2050.
Il supporto di ComEd include lo sviluppo del curriculum, opportunità di apprendimento basate sul lavoro e mentorship professionale attraverso visite in loco, discussioni di gruppo e apprendimento basato su progetti. Questa iniziativa si basa sul supporto già esistente di ComEd ai programmi CPS come Chicago BUILDs, fiere delle professioni specializzate e iniziative di Educazione alla Guida EV.
ComEd ha anunciado una nueva asociación con las Escuelas Públicas de Chicago (CPS) y el Instituto Técnico Dawson de los City Colleges de Chicago para mejorar el programa Early College STEM en la Academia Militar de Chicago (CMA). La iniciativa, denominada 'Enciende tu futuro', incluye una inversión de 100,000 dólares por parte de ComEd para ampliar las oportunidades de preparación profesional para los estudiantes.
A partir del otoño de 2025, los estudiantes podrán obtener un título de Associate in Applied Science en Gestión de Construcción, seguido por un Associate of Applied Science en Ingeniería y Gestión de Construcción que se lanzará en primavera de 2026. El programa tiene como objetivo preparar a los estudiantes para carreras centradas en la ingeniería en el sector energético, con proyecciones que indican hasta 150,000 empleos que llegarán a Illinois para 2050.
El apoyo de ComEd incluye el desarrollo del currículo, oportunidades de aprendizaje basado en el trabajo y mentoría profesional a través de visitas al sitio, discusiones en panel y aprendizaje basado en proyectos. Esta iniciativa se basa en el apoyo existente de ComEd a programas de CPS como Chicago BUILDs, ferias de oficios especializados e iniciativas de educación para conducir EV.
ComEd는 시카고 공립학교(CPS) 및 시카고 시립 대학의 도슨 기술 연구소와 협력하여 시카고 군사 아카데미(CMA)에서의 조기 대학 STEM 프로그램을 강화한다고 발표했습니다. 이 이니셔티브는 '당신의 미래를 밝히세요'라는 이름으로, 학생들을 위한 직업 준비 기회를 확장하기 위해 ComEd에서 10만 달러의 투자를 포함합니다.
2025년 가을부터 학생들은 건설 관리 분야의 응용 과학 준학사 학위를 취득할 수 있으며, 2026년 봄에 시작되는 건설 공학 및 관리 분야의 응용 과학 준학사 학위도 이어집니다. 이 프로그램은 에너지 분야의 엔지니어링 중심 경력을 위해 학생들을 준비시키는 것을 목표로 하며, 2050년까지 일리노이에 15만 개의 일자리가 생길 것으로 예상됩니다.
ComEd의 지원에는 커리큘럼 개발, 현장 학습 기회 및 현장 방문, 패널 토론, 프로젝트 기반 학습을 통한 경력 멘토십이 포함됩니다. 이 이니셔티브는 ComEd가 CPS 프로그램인 Chicago BUILDs, 숙련된 직업 박람회 및 전기차 운전 교육 이니셔티브에 대한 기존 지원을 기반으로 합니다.
ComEd a annoncé un nouveau partenariat avec les Écoles Publiques de Chicago (CPS) et l'Institut Technique Dawson des City Colleges de Chicago pour améliorer le programme Early College STEM à l'Académie Militaire de Chicago (CMA). L'initiative, appelée 'Éveillez votre avenir', comprend un investissement de 100 000 dollars de ComEd pour élargir les opportunités de préparation à la carrière pour les étudiants.
À partir de l'automne 2025, les étudiants pourront obtenir un diplôme d'Associate in Applied Science en Gestion de la Construction, suivi d'un Associate of Applied Science en Ingénierie et Gestion de la Construction qui sera lancé au printemps 2026. Le programme vise à préparer les étudiants à des carrières axées sur l'ingénierie dans le secteur de l'énergie, avec des projections indiquant jusqu'à 150 000 emplois à venir dans l'Illinois d'ici 2050.
Le soutien de ComEd comprend le développement du curriculum, des opportunités d'apprentissage basées sur le travail et du mentorat professionnel à travers des visites de sites, des discussions en panel et un apprentissage par projet. Cette initiative s'appuie sur le soutien existant de ComEd pour les programmes CPS tels que Chicago BUILDs, les foires des métiers spécialisés et les initiatives d'éducation à la conduite EV.
ComEd hat eine neue Partnerschaft mit den Chicago Public Schools (CPS) und dem Dawson Technical Institute der City Colleges of Chicago angekündigt, um das Early College STEM-Programm an der Chicago Military Academy (CMA) zu verbessern. Die Initiative, die den Namen 'Entfache deine Zukunft' trägt, umfasst eine Investition von 100.000 Dollar von ComEd zur Erweiterung der beruflichen Vorbereitungsmöglichkeiten für Schüler.
Ab Herbst 2025 können Schüler einen Associate in Applied Science Degree in Bauleitung anstreben, gefolgt von einem Associate of Applied Science in Bauingenieurwesen und Management, der im Frühling 2026 startet. Das Programm zielt darauf ab, die Schüler auf ingenieurorientierte Karrieren im Energiesektor vorzubereiten, wobei Prognosen darauf hindeuten, dass bis 2050 bis zu 150.000 Arbeitsplätze nach Illinois kommen.
Die Unterstützung von ComEd umfasst die Entwicklung des Lehrplans, arbeitsbasierte Lernmöglichkeiten und berufliche Mentorship durch Standortbesuche, Podiumsdiskussionen und projektbasiertes Lernen. Diese Initiative baut auf der bestehenden Unterstützung von ComEd für CPS-Programme wie Chicago BUILDs, Fachmessen für qualifizierte Berufe und Initiativen zur Fahrerbildung für Elektrofahrzeuge auf.
- Investment of $100,000 for workforce development
- Creation of direct pipeline for future energy sector employment
- Potential for 150,000 new jobs in Illinois by 2050
- Students can earn both high school diploma and associate degree
- None.
A new partnership between
“Chicago’s young people deserve every opportunity possible for a bright future. That is why our mission as a District is to pair a well-rounded, high-quality education with career readiness and network building,” said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. “We are grateful for this partnership, which adds to our growing efforts to make sure our students have as many pathways as possible to a promising career after graduation.”
As part of the program, which CMA has dubbed “Ignite Your Future,” students will have the opportunity to fast-track their pursuit of one of the following Associate degrees from City Colleges of
- Associate in Applied Science Degree in Construction Management, launching as a part of the partnership in Fall 2025 at Dawson Technical Institute, a satellite of Kennedy-King College.
- Associate of Applied Science in Construction Engineering and Management launching in Spring 2026.
The program complements CPS’ strong partnership with City Colleges of
"The Early College STEM program is about creating pathways to success, igniting futures, and empowering students to shape the world and their career trajectory in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics," said Chancellor Juan Salgado, City Colleges of
The partnership, initiated by ComEd CEO Gil Quiniones in 2022, is inspired by the P-TECH school model Quiniones supported in
“Engineering and technical service careers will play a critical role in building a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, so ComEd is partnering with
These offerings are critical for preparing students for engineering-focused career opportunities in a sector seeing surging demand for talent nationally. With as many as 150,000 jobs coming to
CMA is uniquely positioned to serve as the anchor school for the launching of the program, with an established Early College STEM (ECSTEM) program and pathways in IT, engineering, and 3D modeling which align with construction and utility work. The school also has experienced leadership and educators with expertise in Early College STEM programming, enabling a smooth integration of the expanded partnership.
The Early College STEM (ECSTEM) Model at CPS
CPS’ ECSTEM high schools provide open-enrollment opportunities for students least likely to attend college, enabling them to earn a high school diploma, early college credit, and even an associate degree. The program connects high school, college, and work to prepare students for careers in technology and other in-demand industries.
Notably, CPS’ Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy, in partnership with IBM and Richard J. Daley College, serves as a benchmark for this model. Students gain access to industry professionals, certifications, and substantial college credit through partnerships like these, creating a pipeline for future technology leaders.
This new collaboration builds on ComEd’s long-standing support of CPS programs, such as Chicago BUILDs, the Skilled Trades fairs, and Driver’s Education EV initiatives. By concentrating resources at CMA, the partnership reinforces CPS’ strategic goal of providing students with robust, career-focused learning opportunities that prepare them for the demands of the clean energy sector.
About
About ComEd
ComEd is a unit of
About City Colleges of
City Colleges of
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250303449999/en/
OFFICE (773) 553-1620
WEBSITE http://www.cps.edu
X, @ChiPubSchools
FACEBOOK ChicagoPublicSchools
Source: ComEd
FAQ
What is the value of ComEd's investment in the Chicago Military Academy STEM program?
When will the new Associate degree programs launch at Chicago Military Academy?
How many energy sector jobs are projected in Illinois by 2050?
What educational opportunities does the ComEd partnership provide for CMA students?
