About Us

Founded in 1992, the South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium (SMHEC) is a unique partnership between two-year and four-year, public, and private higher education institutions in the south metropolitan area, extending south from the city of Chicago to the western border of Joliet, the southern border of Kankakee and east to the Illinois-Indiana state line.

Through community, administrators, faculty, staff and students of member institutions collaborate to leverage resources, enhance programs, and execute projects that address institutional priorities in the communities we serve. SMHEC member institutions educate nearly 80,000 students each year and offer over 700 certificate and degree programs.

All member colleges and universities are accredited by Higher Learning Commission North Central Association Colleges and Schools.