March 24, 2026 – ADM provided scholarships to 10 students who are currently enrolled in Richland Community
College’s Advanced Sequestration Applications course for the Spring 2026 semester.
The students were recognized for their academic achievements on Feb. 18 at the National Sequestration Education Center on Richland Community College’s campus. The scholarships from ADM were provided in partnership
through the Richland Community College Foundation.
Richland Community College has implemented the world’s first Associate degree program with a concentration in Sequestration Technology. The curriculum focuses on geologic CO₂ storage, monitoring, and utilization, often utilizing data from local industrial partnerships. The program currently offers courses on the introduction to carbon capture and storage, and advanced sequestration applications. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign accepted the associate degree for transfer to its Bachelor of Science degree program in Earth, Society, and Environmental Sustainability.
“We are thrilled to partner with Richland Community College to offer these new scholarships and to support students interested in entering these growing fields,” said Matt Kaloupek, vice president of Carbon Capture Sequestration at ADM. “ADM is deeply committed to the communities where we live and work, and these scholarships reflect our belief that progress happens when we support emerging talent and accelerate research. By investing in these students, we are helping develop the local workforce, as well as the technologies and practices that will define the future of carbon management.”
ADM will be hosting a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Learning Day for community members on Thursday, March 26, from 3 – 6 p.m. at the National Sequestration Education Center on Richland Community College’s campus. The interactive learning experience will show how carbon dioxide is safely stored deep underground. Attendees can hear directly from geologists, engineers, and first responders about how CCS works, how it’s monitored, and why central Illinois is uniquely suited to lead. Learn more at www.adm.com/ccslearningday.
