The Odyssey Project at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a free, 32-week, college-credit earning humanities program for income-eligible adults in the Urbana-Champaign area with limited or no access to higher education. The program offers students an opportunity to build their humanities knowledge base and develop critical thinking skills that will serve them in their pursuit of higher education, workforce opportunities and a lifetime of learning-based citizenship.
Students enrolled in the Odyssey Project take a two-part series of core humanities courses that introduce them to Literature, Philosophy, Art History and U.S. History taught by University of Illinois instructors. These face-to-face, discussion-focused courses offer Odyssey students the chance to learn in a supportive, interactive classroom environment with instructors whose expertise and pedagogical commitments provide a rich and dynamic learning environment rooted in humanities values and practices. The courses also devote significant resources to reinforcing critical thinking and writing skills in the context of the subject-matter covered.
Typically offered in the evenings, Odyssey courses are free to enrolled students, and include books, dinner, and transportation. The program is open to students 18 or older, regardless of whether they have completed a high school education at the time of enrollment.
How it started.
Illinois Humanities (the state humanities council) began the Odyssey Project in 2000. In 2006 IPRH, in partnership with Illinois Humanities, brought the Odyssey Project to Champaign-Urbana in order to offer local income-eligible adults the opportunity to pursue higher education that might not otherwise be accessible to them. Beginning 2019–2020, Odyssey courses are official Urbana campus courses, with tuition for those courses waived by the College of LAS.
Thanks to the generosity of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the support of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and other campus partners, the Odyssey Project at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign is able to introduce Odyssey students to the University of Illinois experience both inside and outside the classroom. The grant also provides for a Public Humanities Fellowship for a doctoral student in the humanities and for 2 humanities undergraduate interns who will serve as classroom support for Odyssey students during the evening course sessions. And students will have an opportunity to learn from one artist or creative writer in-residence each semester.
Who is eligible?
- Adults 18 years of age or older, who can read at an adult level, living in the Urbana-Champaign area at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guideline.
- For further information about eligibility, visit the Odyssey Project’s official website, email odysseyproject@illinois.edu, or call (217) 300-3888.
How do I apply?
Email odysseyproject@illinois.edu or call (217) 300-3888.
How can I support the Odyssey Project?
Visit this page. Every donation is much appreciated, and helps us continue to improve as a program and offer the best to our students.
What Students Say
The Odyssey Project is a sign of hope. For some people, it’s a second chance. For some, it’s extra curricular. For most, it’s the stepping stone to furthering education. During my lifetime, I’ve held an obsession with the University of Illinois, so being on campus was surreal. I’m thankful that the University of Illinois allows such a program to take place.
Eric
[One of the most helpful parts of Odyssey was] all the great teachers we had, and the fact that the class was small and we got a lot of individual time with the teachers. [I will take with me] this feeling of accomplishment and knowing if I stay focused I can complete anything I put my mind to. [I want others to know] how Odyssey gets you prepared to further your education and how helpful they are to you in an encouraging way to keep you on task to complete this course.
Anonymous Alumni
Philosophy was very challenging. It was my first time to read about it, but in the end I did it. The teachers were helpful. They give you all the help you need to put me on the top. The achievement I am most proud of is my poster [on Toni Morrison’s “Recitatif”]. If I were to describe Odyssey to a friend, I would highlight the help from the teachers, the good books, and the classmates.
Anonymous Alumni
Odyssey, Extra! 