Program faculty and a recent graduate briefed the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees on the accredited medical laboratory sciences (MLS) bachelor’s program, describing clinical placements, curriculum structure and early employment outcomes.

Amanda Volker, clinical coordinator for the MLS program, described the program's NACLS accreditation, more than 25 hospital and affiliate clinical sites across the region, and a placement process that guarantees eligible students a clinical site among their top choices. "We place everybody that is eligible," Volker said, adding that eligibility generally requires a C or better in required didactic courses.

Volker overviewed the curriculum: a didactic first year with lectures and labs followed by a second‑year clinical rotation period (students are on campus all day Monday for advanced lectures and at clinical rotations Tuesday–Thursday). She said the program works with affiliates to tailor placements so students gain experience in settings where they are likely to succeed; Volker reported many affiliates hire students after graduation because trainees are familiar with the sites' analyzers and workflows.

Graduate Wendy Lozano, class of 2025, described completing a clinical internship at University of Chicago Medical Center (her top choice) from August 2024 to May 2025 and said she accepted a transfusion medicine technologist position there beginning June 16. Lozano also said she passed the national certification exam and credited the program's hands‑on experience and faculty support for her readiness.

The presentation emphasized workforce demand (an ongoing shortage as older workers retire) and the program's focus on student preparedness and relationships with affiliates. Trustees asked about clinical‑tour length, student work‑study conflicts during rotations and how the program is preparing for technology changes such as automation and artificial intelligence; Volker said AI and related topics were on the program's planning agenda and that affiliates are beginning to introduce related use cases.

The program's demonstration highlighted student support (scholarships mentioned by the student), a pipeline to employment and curriculum features intended to meet local hospital workforce needs.