Long known for its top caliber student body, the University Of Illinois wants to diversify and attract the best students possible. The best way to do that? Offer online courses and degrees.

The University of Illinois will focus on tapping the online market through its Global Campus initiative, a for-profit enterprise that could draw tens of thousands of students to online degree programs.

"If you don't actively intervene, what tends to happen is a certain level of sameness tends to creep in," Nassirian said.

Not everyone agrees with the step, but the university is going ahead with online degree plans.

It's a new generation offering endless opportunities, and it's great to see a college recognize that.