By Salem Chicago News Staff
Rich Township High School District 227 highlighted alumni who have enrolled at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, showcasing the pipeline between south-suburban schools and Illinois public universities, the district announced Thursday.
The feature spotlighted STEM Campus graduates Aaliyah Benitez and Dainelle Ellington, who received Chancellor’s Scholarship awards during the prior school year. SIU Carbondale Chancellor Austin Lane visited the district in October 2025 to announce expanded admissions access and full-ride opportunities.
Rich Township, based in Matteson, operates the STEM Campus in Olympia Fields and the Fine Arts and Communications Campus in Richton Park. The district has emphasized college access as a core mission, partnering with regional organizations to expand postsecondary opportunities.
The district was recently selected as one of 21 high schools across Illinois to participate in the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Dual Credit @ Illinois initiative, which allows students to earn college credits while in high school.
District 227 Superintendent Johnnie Thomas has led efforts to build partnerships with universities across Illinois, including the Chancellor’s Scholarship program with SIU.
The district serves students from Matteson, Richton Park, Olympia Fields and surrounding south-suburban communities. Information about the district’s programs is available at rich227.org.
