Hugo Aguilera was one year away from completing his associate's degree at Waubonsee Community College, now he's only a semester away.

Aguilera sped up the completion of his degree by enrolling in Waubonsee's Fast Track program - a program designed for students to complete their associate's degree in half the time.

For Aguilera, 21, of Aurora it was the perfect opportunity. Aguilera has attended Waubonsee for two years, taking one semester off to study in Mexico. "When I came back from Mexico, I really wanted to be done fast," he said. The Fast Track program allowed him to do just that.

Aguilera's goal is to earn his associate in science degree with an emphasis in business and to transfer to a four-year university to complete a bachelor's degree. By enrolling in Fast Track, he will finish his courses at Waubonsee this summer and can begin courses at a four-year institution this fall.

Sarah Burroughs, 20, of Aurora, also was attracted to the college's Fast Track program because of the accelerated rate of completion. She's close to earning an associate in science degree with a business emphasis. But she won't leave Waubonsee once she graduates. Midway through the program to earn her business degree, Burroughs felt the call to become a nurse. "I've decided to do the nursing program at Waubonsee," Burroughs said. She'll begin that program once she completes the degree she's working on. "I still want to finish up since I'm so close to it anyway," Burroughs said.