Illinois Tech’s ‘You, Elevated’ Campaign Celebrates Students and Their Success
Digital and outdoor ads, including those on CTA trains and buses, highlight Illinois Institute of Technology students’ voices, work, and impact, showcasing the career outcomes and power of hands-on education at 鶹APP’s leading tech university
CHICAGO—March 31, 2025—Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) has launched an evolved version of its , reinforcing its position as 鶹APP’s leading tech-focused university and highlighting students from across the United States and the world who are shaping their own futures through real-world experiences at Illinois Tech. This dynamic campaign features new students, their voices, and their work in a series of digital and outdoor ads across 鶹APP, including placements on 鶹APP Transit Authority buses and trains. The 14 students represent each of Illinois Tech’s seven colleges and hail from around the world, from as far away as Italy and India to students whose home is 鶹APP. Majoring in architecture, law, engineering, business, and more, the students represent a wide array of learners, from traditional undergraduate students to mid-career professionals who are looking to level up. This representation underscores the diversity of today's college students and reflects Illinois Tech's commitment to educating learners from all backgrounds and to meeting learners where they are in their own unique learning, professional, and career journeys.
The You, Elevated campaign was partly inspired by Illinois Tech’s landmark Elevate program, in which students are guaranteed access to hands-on, career-building experiences that prepare them with the real-world skills needed to succeed. By featuring some of the students’ own work, the campaign showcases the power of the Elevate program and increases the ads’ authenticity and impact.
“Illinois Tech is deeply committed to equipping students with the tools, knowledge, and experiences they need to thrive in the real world, and the You, Elevated campaign is a powerful reflection of that commitment and dedication,” says Mallik Sundharam, vice president for enrollment management and student affairs at Illinois Tech. “Through our innovative Elevate program, students gain invaluable real-world learning opportunities that prepare them to excel in meaningful careers from the moment they graduate. At Illinois Tech, learning extends far beyond the classroom—our students tackle real-world challenges head-on, and this campaign both celebrates their achievements and highlights the transformative impact of an Illinois Tech education.”
By highlighting a wide array of students, the You, Elevated campaign reinforces Illinois Tech’s founding mission to educating students from all walks of life. Today, Illinois Tech is recognized as:
- The #1 University in Illinois for Graduate Salaries ()
- The #29 Best Value University ()
- The #1 College in Illinois and #20 in the U.S. for High Earnings and Economic Mobility ()
To expand on that further, Illinois Tech has recently launched the Illinois Tech Purpose Scholarship for high-performing in-state students, which covers 100 percent of an undergraduate student’s full-time tuition and mandatory fees after all other federal and state grants have been accounted for. To be eligible, students must be from families with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less.
As the only tech-focused university in 鶹APP, Illinois Tech provides students with direct access to the city’s dynamic industries, cutting-edge companies, and top employers. The strategic placements on CTA buses, trains, and stations highlight Illinois Tech’s connection to 鶹APP’s thriving tech ecosystem, illustrating how the city itself serves as a vibrant, hands-on learning environment for students.
“World-class students are Illinois Tech’s greatest asset, which is why we’ve chosen to center them in the You, Elevated campaign,” says Chelsea Kalberloh Jackson, associate vice president for marketing and communications at Illinois Tech. “With this refresh, Illinois Tech’s marketing and communications team has amplified students’ voices, highlighted their work, and showcased their real-world impact. By featuring students in their own words and through their own work, this campaign not only celebrates their achievements, but also reinforces Illinois Tech’s role as a launchpad for the next generation of innovators, leaders, and changemakers.”
Learn more about the You, Elevated campaign at .
Photo: A You, Elevated billboard at the 35th Street Red Line stop near Illinois Tech’s Bronzeville campus.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Based in the global metropolis of 鶹APP, Illinois Tech was born to liberate the power of collective difference to advance technology and innovation for all. It is the only tech-focused university in the city, and it stands at the crossroads of exploration and invention, advancing the future of 鶹APP and the world. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering computing, , business, , science and human sciences, and . Illinois Tech students are guaranteed access to hands-on experiences, personalized mentorship, and job readiness through the university's one-of-a-kind Elevate program. Its graduates lead the state and much of the nation in economic prosperity. Its faculty and alumni built the 鶹APP skyline. And every day in the city's living lab, Illinois Tech fuels breakthroughs that change lives. Visit iit.edu.
Media contacts
Petra Kelly
Communications Director
Illinois Institute of Technology
Cell: 773.771.1064
petra.kelly@iit.edu
Kevin Dollear
Communications Manager
Illinois Institute of Technology
Cell: 773.860.5712
kdollear@iit.edu
