Skip to main content

Chicago Scholars Merch Store Design Contest

Chicago Scholars Merch Store Design Contest

Chicago Scholars has opened a merch store! With the launch of the store, we want to be sure our store truly represents our Scholars and Alumni. To do that, we’re hosting a design contest! Read below for the full details of the contest:

The brief:

Your task is to make a design suitable for a piece of CS merch. This will need to be a square design that can be uploaded to our merch platform for use on items. Your design should represent the feel and energy of Chicago Scholars, but it does not necessarily have to say the words “Chicago Scholars.” Some possibilities include display text highlighting a great slogan; a digital illustration of something from your CS experience; a representation of a CS “in-joke”; a play on our existing branding. At this stage, anything goes!

If a Chicago Scholars logo does not appear in your design, we reserve the right to put it somewhere on the final product.

 

The details:

Entries must be submitted in .png format, 12×14 inches or less, high-res image. Please note that 12×14 is the size of the printing area on the front of a t-shirt; smaller items are possible.

Chosen entrants will need to be submit packaged files of their design for resizing purposes, if possible. If you aren’t using software that allows for this, we’ll work it out.

Currently, we’re only equipped to use these designs on clothing, hats, and some drinkware. Please do not submit designs intended for other items.

Designs can be printed on items using DTF or DTG printing. If you have a preference let me know, otherwise I will choose based on the intricacy of your design.

All entries must be work- and school-appropriate. This includes memes and other references.

Your entry should be your own work and should not include any copyrighted materials.

The process:

Entries should be submitted via email to media@chicagoscholars.org. Include your design, its title, your name as you’d want to see it on our website, and your contact information.

The deadline is October 31, 2024, 11:59 p.m.

When all entries have been collected, Chicago Scholars staff will review them and select up to 10 finalists. These finalists will then be put up for public vote via poll distributed on CS social media, website and emails. The poll will close at 11:59 p.m. November 17.

All finalists’ designs will be used on tees in the CS merch shop.

Each of the top three winners from the public poll will win the following:

  • Design used on CS merch shop shirts and hoodies/crewnecks
  • One free print of their design on their choice of a tee, hoodie, or crewneck
  • CS swag pack (shirt, pen, pencil, sticky notes, sticker, pinback button)

Third place will win the swag, shirt, and $50

Second place will win the swag, shirt, and $100

First place wins the swag, shirt, and $150

Chicago Scholars Emerge August Career Partner Highlight

August Career Partner Highlight:

Cars Commerce

The Emerge Summer Career & Leadership Program may be over for this year – but we’re finishing out our series of spotlights on our incredible Emerge Career Partners, the companies and organizations that make our Emerge internships possible. For each, we’ve given you a special look at what called them to partner with us, shared stories of their Scholar interns – and maybe inspired you and your company to partner too!

Our August Emerge Career Partner Highlight of the Month is Cars Commerce, the expanded platform behind Cars.com that allows a simplified experience of buying and selling cars. With their roots and current headquarters based firmly in Chicago, Cars Commerce has partnered with Chicago Scholars to host several Emerge interns over the years. Cars Commerce is also committed to community engagement, making them a fantastic partner in our work. We talked with the communications team at Cars Commerce about the company’s commitment to our Scholars – read on for their responses!

Firstly, why did you choose to partner with Chicago Scholars?

We have employees all over North America, but we launched our headquarters here in Chicago 25 years ago. We are deeply committed to our community and our hometown city. We’re thrilled to partner with Chicago Scholars in their mission to nurture the next generation of diverse leaders from our own backyard. This collaboration not only supports a vital cause but also strengthens our talent pipeline, paving the way for future opportunities within Cars Commerce.”

To continue, why did Cars Commerce go beyond general sponsorship of Chicago Scholars to also host interns as part of the Emerge program?

“Instead of merely sponsoring Chicago Scholars through a general sponsorship, we hosted 6 Emerge interns this year to offer more direct, hands-on support and development for emerging professionals. By integrating these interns into our team, we provide them with practical experience, mentorship, and potential career pathways. In return, we gain fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, benefiting from their contributions and the dynamic impact they bring.”

What is Cars Commerce looking to accomplish through your internship program?

“Our goal is to offer the next generation of professionals valuable real-world experience through engaging projects, hands-on training, and mentorship, helping them stand out in a saturated job market.”

What qualities does Cars Commerce look for in potential Emerge interns? 

“We seek individuals who are eager to learn, highly adaptable, and passionately curious about their field. These traits help them excel in our fast-paced industry and fully leverage their internship experience.”

Finally, what are your hopes for the young adults of Chicago?

Being based in Chicago, we are fully committed to our community. We aim to provide individuals with the skills and experiences needed to excel both personally and professionally, empowering them to eventually contribute back to the community.”

Inspired by Cars Commerce’s work with our Emerge Scholars? Head here to learn more about becoming a partner with us!

Chicago Scholars is Taking Over at the Chicago Fire FC!

On Saturday, September 14th, Chicago Scholars is partnering with the Chicago Fire to takeover for Hispanic Heritage Night!

We’re bringing our Scholars, Mentors, Alumni, Staff and Volunteers to represent Chicago Scholars in front of thousands of Chicago Fire fans as they play the New York Red Bulls. We want you to join us for this exciting evening and help us raise some money to support our Scholar programming!

You can be part of this amazing event by purchasing tickets for United Club Corner Kick Seats. Tickets are $33 each with a $5 donation back to Chicago Scholars for each ticket sold. These are fantastic seats located on the east side of Soldier Field with easy access to and from the suite level, including concession stands, bathrooms, indoor seating, and a climate-controlled concourse with room to mix and mingle. Support Chicago Scholars and enjoy the game!

Ticket availability is limited, so don’t wait! Buy your tickets here.

National Intern Day 2024 with the Emerge Summer Career and Leadership Program

National Intern Day 2024

In celebration of National Intern Day, we’re bringing you a blog post written by one of our very own Emerge Summer Career and Leadership Program Interns, Aniyah Davies. This year’s Emerge program wraps up with the closing ceremony tomorrow, and our interns are walking away with an incredible experience, new connections, and friends for life – proving just how valuable internships can be, particularly for students from under-resourced communities. Read on for Aniyah’s blog post!

Continue reading

Meet Our 2024 Reach Innovation Award Winner!

Meet Our 2024 Reach Innovation Award Winner – Levenfeld Pearlstein

Meet Our 2024 Reach Pathways Innovation Award Winner, Levenfeld Pearlstein– With this award, we honor a company or organization that has allowed Chicago Scholars and Reach Pathways to reach new heights due to their support and innovation. LP has been an incredible growth partner over the last year, and has allowed us to grow Reach to new stages, and introduce it to new audiences.

We spoke with Suzanne Shier, Of Counsel in the firm’s Trusts and Estates group, about what it means to be recognized for this award, and how it drives LP forward as they continue their work in partnership with Chicago Scholars. Read on for her responses!

Continue reading

Announcing the 2024 Individual Volunteer Award Recipients

Chicago Scholars is proud to recognize three of our volunteers for their outstanding service and commitment to our work

Announcing the 2024 Individual Volunteer Award Recipients: Each year, we award outstanding individual volunteers the following recognitions: New Volunteer of the Year, Longstanding Volunteer Service Award, and Mentor Volunteer of the Year. These awardees are chosen by nomination from the entire Chicago Scholars community, including staff, Scholars, and mentors. 

Continue reading

Meet Our 2024 Outstanding Company Service of the Year Winners!

Meet Our 2024 Outstanding Company Service of the Year Winners

Meet Our 2024 Outstanding Company Service of the Year Winners! We’re so excited to announce that both McKinsey & Company and Magid Glove & Safety are receiving the award for Outstanding Company Service to Chicago Scholars for 2024. Each year with this award, we acknowledge companies or organizations that have shown outstanding commitment to community engagement and philanthropy through their partnership with us, and both McKinsey & Co and Magid have gone above and beyond in their work with our Scholars this year.

We spoke with representatives from each company about what it means to be recognized for this awards, and how it drives them forward as they continue their work in partnership with Chicago Scholars. Read on for their responses!

Continue reading

Chicago Scholars Emerge July Career Partner Highlight

July Career Partner Highlight:

Radio Flyer

There’s just over two more weeks until our Emerge Summer Career & Leadership Program closing ceremony – and we’re continuing our series of spotlights on several of our incredible Emerge Career Partners, the companies and organizations that make our Emerge internships possible. For each, we’ll give you a special look at what called them to partner with us, tell stories of their Scholar interns – and maybe inspire you and your company to partner too!

Our July Emerge Career Partner Highlight of the Month is Radio Flyer, the company behind the iconic red wagon, which has more recently expanded to so much more. With their headquarters right here on the West Side of Chicago, Radio Flyer has partnered with Chicago Scholars to host several Emerge interns over the years, as well as hosting yearly Growth Labs at their Radio Flyer Campus. We talked with Lisa Cockrell, lead of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Radio Flyer, about the company’s commitment to our Scholars.

Firstly, why did you choose to partner with Chicago Scholars?

Radio Flyer chose to partner with Chicago Scholars because of the awesome work and opportunities that they provide to Chicago youth. When we first were introduced to Chicago Scholars through a volunteer opportunity at the annual college Onsite event, there was synergy among, parents, students, business partners, colleges/university partners, and the Chicago Scholars team that was unparalleled. What Chicago Scholars has cultivated for Chicago youth is something great and Radio Flyer wanted to be a part of that work.” 

To continue, why did you choose to specifically support the Emerge Program as a Career Partner and Growth Lab Host? 

Radio Flyer recognizes that the students of Chicago Scholars are some of the best and brightest in the Chicagoland area. As a best places to work company we want to support these students as they matriculate through their college journey.”

What is Radio Flyer looking to accomplish through your internship program?

“Our internship program is a direct pipeline to full-time employment at Radio Flyer. Currently, about 30% of our full-time employees were previous interns.”

What can Emerge Interns plan to experience and learn about at Radio Flyer’s Growth Lab? 

“Through the Radio Flyer Growth Lab, Emerge Interns will learn professional development skills that will help them become more self-aware, confident and be able to solicit and give feedback. They will tour our Chicago offices and be able to talk with Flyers (employees) in various professional disciplines.”

Finally, what are your hopes for the young adults of Chicago?

Our hope for the young adults of Chicago is that they will have equal access to opportunities for success without systematic barriers. In addition, we hope that young adults find a workplace where they can say, “I love my job.”

Inspired by Radio Flyer’s work with our Scholars? Head here to learn more about becoming a partner with us!

Reach for the Future with Chicago Scholars and Alejandra Campoverdi

Join us for our inaugural Reach for the Future: A Chicago Scholars Celebration in support of our Onsite College & Leadership Forum. Enjoy cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres, networking with fellow Chicago Scholars supporters, and a fireside chat with current Chicago Scholars and keynote speaker, Alejandra Campoverdi, author of FIRST GEN.

 

About the event

Reach for the Future is the evening of November 13 at Walden Chicago. Cocktail attire suggested. Purchase tickets and learn about available sponsorships here.

Walden Chicago is located at 2415 W. Walnut St., Chicago, IL 60612.

About Alejandra Campoverdi

Alejandra’s award-winning memoir, FIRST GEN, examines the emotional toll of social mobility on those she refers to as “First and Onlys.” FIRST GEN is a national bestseller and winner of the CALIBA Martin Cruz Smith Award. It was also longlisted for the Outstanding Works of Literature Award for the First Year Experience.

FIRST GEN is the 2024 Opportunity Matters Book Club selection for the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE). COE is a national book club for first-generation and low-income students at colleges and universities across the country.

Previously, Alejandra served in the Obama White House as the first White House Deputy Director of Hispanic Media. She produced and appeared in the groundbreaking PBS documentary Inheritance. She also founded the LATINOS & BRCA awareness initiative in partnership with Penn Medicine’s Basser Center for BRCA.

Alejandra holds a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and graduated cum laude from USC. She currently serves on the boards of the California Community Foundation and Harvard’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy. She is a Senior Fellow at the USC Center on Communication Leadership and Policy.

Chicago Scholars Emerge Intern Blog: Growth Labs

Meet The Emerge Intern – Growth Labs

The Chicago Scholars and Invest for Kids Emerge Summer Career and Leadership Program is already almost halfway over! We’re celebrating this year’s class of interns by bringing you a weekly blog post focused on their experience – continuing on this week with a look what projects our interns are working on, and what they’re learning on the job.

This week, we’re featuring a blog post from Henry Lui, whom is interning this summer with Cars Commerce, and is a Chicago Scholar from the Class of 2026. He is currently attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Read on for his full post focused on the Growth Labs interns attend each Friday:

Continue reading

Chicago Scholars Emerge Intern Blog: Work Focus

Meet The Emerge Intern – Work Project Debrief

The Chicago Scholars and Invest for Kids Emerge Summer Career and Leadership Program is in full swing! We’re celebrating this year’s class of interns by bringing you a weekly blog post focused on their experience – continuing on this week with a look what projects our interns are working on, and what they’re learning on the job.

This week, we’re featuring a blog post from Dianella Ruiz, whom is interning this summer with The Women’s Business Development Center, and is a Chicago Scholar from the Class of 2026. She is currently attending Boston University. Read on for her full post:

Continue reading

My NSO Experience: McKenzie Young, Class of 2029

McKenzie Young is a Class of 2029 Chicago Scholar. 

On Friday, May 3rd at 4:12 p.m., I received an email that would change my life forever. I’d been waiting for this letter for six months and my dream finally came true – I had been  selected as a Chicago Scholar.

I felt overwhelmed with joy and a deep sense of accomplishment. I knew that this was going to be the start of something truly remarkable and I was determined to make the best of it. As a first-year Scholar, I was looking forward to meeting my cohort and mentors. Considering that a substantial number of people from my school were in the program, I knew that the New Scholar Orientation (NSO) was a space to branch out.

Learn more about the Chicago Scholars seven-year program model

The first day of NSO was an evening Zoom meeting. Frankly, I was surprised by the number of students on the call, but I was thrilled. The executive team behind the program kicked us off with the CEO sharing an inspirational message about the journey ahead with a slideshow presentation. An hour later, I was split into a breakout room with the rest of my cohort. We played icebreakers to get to know each other and talked about what activities we wanted to do throughout the year. Initially, I was worried about who would be placed in my cohort because I wasn’t sure if we would mesh well together. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the diverse range of people in my group. We all had different strengths and interests, which allowed us to learn from each other and grow together. As the meeting came to a close, I was able to connect with some of the Scholars and exchange contact information in the Zoom meeting group chat. I was looking forward to the next day so I could finally see everyone in person.

I woke up the next morning brimming with excitement. On the way to Roosevelt University, I wondered what the second day would bring. As soon as I got out of the car, the energy in the air was palpable. There was a line wrapped around the building! As I gathered for the day’s activities, I was eager to embark on this new chapter of my life. Walking into a lecture hall with people that I didn’t know was quite intimidating at first, but I quickly took a deep breath and stepped inside. I could feel the anticipation in the air as everyone filed in. I knew that I was surrounded by people who were just as eager to make the most out of their time in Chicago Scholars as I was. I met everyone in my cohort and we played more icebreakers. The real fun began when we started playing Jeopardy. To say that the competition was intense…is an understatement. It was a riot! People were shouting at each other, getting up out of their seats, etc. I’m just happy that my team won. Shortly after, all cohorts gathered in the gym for the final ceremony, where we did a group activity in which we got to be vulnerable by sharing our “superpowers” with each other. The activity allowed us to recognize our strengths and weaknesses, which gave us a better understanding of how to work together. We were all able to go home feeling inspired.

Even though the rest of the week was optional, I still wanted to seize the opportunity by going to the workshops at the CS headquarters. CS has one of the best office spaces that I’ve ever seen. To be brief, all the workshops I went to were phenomenal. I got to learn about leadership opportunities within Chicago Scholars that I definitely will be applying to. I met tons of people and the CS staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. I left the workshops feeling confident that I could make a difference in the organization.

In essence, NSO was an amazing experience and a fun way to kick off the year. I feel so motivated about the college application process. I can’t wait for the next seven years of my life in the program and beyond!

See Chicago Scholars’ impact on college access and economic mobility in Chicago and beyond.

Meet the Marketing & Communications Intern – Aniyah Davies, CS Class of 2026

Meet Aniyah Davies, the new Marketing & Communications Intern with Chicago Scholars! Aniyah is a Chicago Scholar from the Class of 2026, currently attending Kent State University

We spoke with Aniyah about her experience as a Scholar so far, what she’s excited to learn in this internship, and what advice she has for younger students looking to start their first internship. Read on for her responses!

Continue reading

Chicago Scholars Emerge Intern Blog: First Week Reflection

Meet The Emerge Intern – First Week Reflection

Jennifer Vergara, Intern at BMO US and Chicago Scholar from the Class of 2026

The Chicago Scholars and Invest for Kids Emerge Summer Career and Leadership Program is in full swing! We’re celebrating this year’s class of interns by bringing you a weekly blog post focused on their experience – starting this week with a reflection on their first official week of work.

This week, we’re featuring a blog post from Jennifer Vergara, whom is interning this summer with BMO Bank, and is a Chicago Scholar from the Class of 2026. She is currently attending Gold Plus Partner, DePaul University. Read on for her full post:

Continue reading

Chicago Scholars Emerge May Scholar Spotlight

We’re just a few days away from the start of our Emerge Summer Career & Leadership Program – and we’re continuing our series of spotlights on several of our incredible Emerge Career Partners, the companies and organizations that make our Emerge internships possible. This month, we’re giving you a bonus Emerge Intern spotlight to go along with our Career Partner highlight – meet Sam Vargas, Environmental Health & Safety Intern at Magid Glove & Safety.

As a recipient of the Rusty Cohen Legacy Scholarship with Magid and Chicago Scholars, Sam also took part in the company’s internship program with Emerge, and spent the summer of 2023 learning about all things health and safety in the workplace, taking on projects of his own, and advancing his career. Read on to hear about Sam’s internship experience, his future plans, and what advice he has for students starting their first internships.

Firstly, tell us a bit about yourself and when you’re set to graduate?

“My name is Sam Vargas and I am a civil engineering major at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. I will graduate in 2026 and my Emerge Internship was with Magid Glove as their health and safety intern.”

To continue, how has Chicago Scholars supported you throughout your college and career journey?

My experience in Chicago scholars has been very influential to my college and career success. Being a part of this community has allowed me to foster relationships with people who have knowledge about the college process and professional development knowledge. Not only has the guidance of the Chicago Scholars team fostered my development as a student and professional, it has also opened opportunities for me to gain work experience through internships provided by the Emerge program. Just this summer, I landed an amazing internship with one of the leading names in my field due to Chicago Scholars’ corporate partner connections.”

How would you describe your internship experience with Magid?

My internship experience with Magid was amazing. While the role of environmental health and safety intern was a very new role to me, my manager made my role easy to understand and also made it known that I was valuable to the team, even being allowed to start my own project due to their faith in me. The work I was doing was influential and I was even able to see the progress in my work and receive feedback about it. I also enjoyed my time there due to the work and life balance that the company encourages. They do this with their recreational opportunities, which include: two tracks that employees are encouraged to use, a basketball court, ping pong tables, and a pickleball court as well. These recreational opportunities helped me make great friendships with my fellow interns and managers.”

How has your internship with Magid impacted your career journey?

“My career journey has only been propelled by Magid. Working there I was taught what it is like to be part of a team that trusts in each other’s capabilities. Being able to manage projects as well as take the lead on certain assignments helped me acquire skills that I use to this day in my project management field. Magid has also taught me a lot of knowledge about things we see in our day-to-day lives but don’t think about, causing me to be well versed in the safety and personal protection field as many only know equipment but not specifics. this has allowed me to express myself as a leader and professional which gets recognized a lot when speaking to potential employers.”

What were some of the highlights of your Emerge experience?

“The highlights of my Emerge program were my reviews, cohort meetings, and working on our company. I liked the opportunities I was given at Magid to collaborate with my manager and hear what I was doing good at and if there were more opportunities to expand my knowledge. The cohort meetings were a nice way to end the week as I got to meet with interesting companies and learn about what they do while also meeting with fellow students from other programs and hearing what they were working on as well. Finally, being able to work through the logistics of creating a company using the golden circle was influential in being able to present about something I’m passionate about as well as being able to present about myself. Overall, my highlights were the moments I got to socialize, learn, and develop new skills.”

Finally, what advice would you offer Scholars going into their first internship experience?

“Entering your first internship can be a daunting experience, especially with little to no knowledge about how to do the work. My biggest advice would be to ask questions and take notes, and if you have downtime see what else you can learn. I do this at each of my internships and it has propelled my career and in some cases helped with my career-specific college courses. Doing these things shows drive, passion, and will help you decide if that is your path in life.”

Inspired by Sam’s experience as an intern, and want to host Scholar interns at your company? Head here to learn more about becoming a partner with us!

Chicago Scholars Emerge May Career Partner Highlight

May Career Partner Highlight:

Magid Glove & Safety

We’re just a few days away from the start of our Emerge Summer Career & Leadership Program – and we’re continuing our series of spotlights on several of our incredible Emerge Career Partners, the companies and organizations that make our Emerge internships possible. For each, we’ll give you a special look at what called them to partner with us, tell stories of their Scholar interns – and maybe inspire you and your company to partner too!

Our Chicago Scholars May Emerge Career Partner Highlight of the Month is Magid Glove & Safety, a revolutionary and family-owned force in PPE Manufacturing that’s been keeping workers safe for four generations! Based in Romeoville, Magid partners with Chicago Scholars to offer the Rusty Cohen Legacy Scholarship Fund, which includes an internship component, and has hosted several Emerge interns over the years. We talked with Gigi Cohen, Executive Vice President of Magid, about the company’s commitment to our Scholars.

Firstly, why did you choose to partner with Chicago Scholars?

In 2021, we wanted to offer a scholarship to honor the memory of Rusty Cohen, a family leader who had been actively involved in working with students from under-resourced communities to help them get into and graduate from college.  We researched a number of organizations and felt the Chicago Scholars programming best aligned with our vision.”

To continue, why did Magid choose to go beyond just supporting Chicago Scholars as a scholarship funder, but to sponsor an intern as part of the Emerge program?

The Rusty Cohen Legacy Scholarship includes a summer internship as part of the scholarshipWe felt including the intern in the Emerge program would further enhance the internship experience. 

What is Magid looking to accomplish through your internship program?

“There is a shortage of professionals in the Environmental, Health & Safety industryWe are hoping to raise awareness of the EH&S industry and the various professions availableIn addition, we are hoping to broaden our interns understanding of the wide variety of business careers that are available. Lastly, we are hoping to provide future leaders of Chicago with insight into the world of business.”

What qualities does Magid look for in potential Emerge interns and scholarship recipients? 

As with any Magid team member, we are looking for motivated, smart, creative and curious people. Chicago Scholars are a great fit because they have demonstrated high academic performance, leadership potential and initiative.”

Finally, what are your hopes for the young adults of Chicago?

Like the Chicago Scholars team, we believe that a college degree does more than change the course of a student’s life – it brings opportunities and new perspectives to their community, tooWe are hoping to help develop the future leaders of Chicago!”

Inspired by Magid’s work with our Scholars? Head here to learn more about becoming a partner with us!

Meet Bridget Drury, Associate Director of Scholar Supports & Wellness

For the past month, we’ve been walking you through the ins and outs of our Scholar Dollars and ELD Grant programs, as well as our incredible Scholarship offerings. This month, we’re bringing you some one on one interviews with scholarship funders and partners, Scholars who have received funding, and more.

We spoke with Bridget Drury, Associate Director of Scholar Supports and Wellness at Chicago Scholars, about what resources are available for Scholars to safeguard their health and wellness, the Lifeline Grant, and honoring Mental Health Awareness month all year round.

What is your role and what does it entail? 

My role is the Associate Director of Scholar Supports and Wellness. I oversee everything health and wellness related for our college Scholars, but also support other areas of the programming, such as identifying and informing Scholars of free and low-cost resources, or giving referrals, as well as having events where we teach Scholars low-cost ways to take care of themselves. When you’re a broke college student, it’s important to learn how to create balance as you’re juggling so many things. I also oversee the emergency fund, known as Lifeline. It exists to make sure Scholars have their basic needs covered when the unexpected happens. One mishap can throw your college dreams out the window. Whether that be rent or food, we make sure to holistically address their wellness, financial, and mental and physical health needs.”

What do you find fulfilling about your work? 

“I really like seeing the direct impact of my work, and the work we do as an organization. For Lifeline, those funds are going to pay a college Scholar’s rent, or paying a car maintenance fee, so we can see the short-term impact. Working here for almost five years, I’ve seen a lot of Scholars graduate, and the Lifeline funding can often be crucial. Nonprofit work is often very emotionally taxing on staff – but at Chicago Scholars we can see that the work we do matters and that we really are helping our Scholars.”

What is something about your job that you wish people knew? 

“I wish more people knew that Lifeline isn’t a scholarship – it’s for the unexpected. Sometimes stakeholders might think they can use it to pay for books, tuition, or other expected costs. We try to reserve the funds for students that are going through emergency situations. We don’t want people to prove their trauma or poverty. We recently had a Scholar that had an unexpected death in the family and needed to go home for the funeral and then fly back to school to take their finals. In part, I’m trying to help Scholars budget their money. Every student needs to pay for books, but we try to reserve funds for the unexpected. Every penny of the Lifeline Grant is spent each each, so I’m always trying to assess what is an emergency versus an expense.”

How does your work fit into the ecosystem of Chicago Scholars and our Scholars lives? 

I think that especially in the last couple years, the Scholars that are graduating have had a great experience, and they want to come back and help. We had a panelist that came back as an Alum to participate. He wants to help. It feeds into a phrase we like to say – ‘once a Scholar, always a Scholar.’ We can instill that sense of belonging and community and Scholars find that impactful. They feel they benefitted from our program, both in mentoring and the oneonone support in building connections. Scholars want to come back and stay engaged with us.”

Do you have a favorite scholarship related story/memory?

A general thought is that in the last two years, at the end of every semester or graduation season, I intentionally reach out to the Lifeline recipients. I follow up and see if they are persisting or graduating. I had several Scholars say they were graduating on time because of the Lifeline funding. One Scholar had received three Lifeline grants throughout college and when I reached out, he told me he had a job lined up after graduation. I like hearing their stories and when they share the good news. Oftentimes we get the bad news, the emergencies that need help, but it’s great to get the good.”

What does your day-to-day work look like? 

“I spend most days checking Lifeline requests that come in, or reaching out or collaborating with other staff to talk to Scholars about their financial needs. Sometimes I’m working with college partners to see where they can provide support to our Scholars. I evaluate survey data and what Scholars say they need. We have the college success survey going out this month, and I look at the mental health data and see whether they’re receiving the support they need. I also work with staff to see where more partnerships can be brought in, and what resources we need to look into creating.”

Do you have anything else you want people to know about our work with Wellness for our Scholars?

I’d like people to know that by donating any amount to our Lifeline Grant, you’re making a direct impact on our Scholars and what we can offer them in emergencies, when they need us most. There is a lot of data out there that shows that emergency funds are very impactful in terms of college persistence, and the Lifeline Grant is no different. You can be part of that. 

Discover more about our scholarship opportunities, read about recent awardees, and learn how to become a funder by visiting our Chicago Scholars Scholarships webpage: https://chicagoscholars.org/scholarships/. If you are interested in exploring opportunities to sponsor a scholarship for our students, please contact us at scholarships@chicagoscholars.org. 

Chicago Scholars May Mentor of the Month

Korbin Houstin, Mentor since 2023

Korbin Houstin, May Mentor of the Month

As of today, there’s just one more day to apply to become a Chicago Scholars Mentor! Be sure to get your application in before it closes on the 3rd.

In celebration, we’re introducing you to our final Mentor of the month! Over the past several months, we’ve introduced you to some of our current incredible mentors, given you a special look at what called them to take on this responsibility, and shared stories of connection with their Scholar cohorts – and maybe inspired you to become a mentor too!

Our May Mentor of the Month is Korbin Houstin, who started her journey with Chicago Scholars as a Scholar from the class of 2018. After her college graduation and several big moves in her professional career, she returned to bring her experience and compassion to a new class of Scholars, this time as a mentor.

“I wished that I felt comfortable being a mentor sooner, but I came to it in my own time. Despite going through the Chicago Scholars program myself, when I first graduated from college I was still trying to find my footing. At the time, I didn’t feel that I had much to offer as a mentor – but I wish I would have seen that just by showing up and being a reliable adult to lean on for advice, I was already bringing everything a mentor needs to the table.”

“However, I did join the Chicago Scholars Alumni Board along with volunteering at events with scholars. It was at one event in particular when I was helping a Scholar that it really occurred to me. Despite being fairly early in my career, and without having a wide professional network to offer, I was still an alumni who really knew the program and could guide scholars though it when they ran in to issues.”

During her first year as a mentor for Chicago Scholars, Korbin has been able to build relationships with the Scholars in her cohort, guiding them into their first year of college and beyond. As she continues her mentoring experience, she’s seen how impactful being a resource for Scholars can be, and hopes other people are encouraged to sign up.

“I encourage anyone who’s interested in helping youth to be a mentor. By signing up, you’re directly helping college bound youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, just by being a stable and encouraging presence. Relationships between scholars and mentors vary, but at the very least you can be a resource to a scholar who may not have many other places to turn.”

Inspired by Korbin’s story? Head here to learn more about applying to be a mentor! The mentor application is open to support our new incoming class of Chicago Scholars – head here to check out the application and apply before the deadline on May 3rd!

Chicago Scholars Emerge April Career Partner Highlight

April Career Partner Highlight:

PPM America

We’re just over one month away from the start of our Emerge Summer Career & Leadership Program – and to celebrate, we’re kicking off a series of spotlights on several of our incredible Emerge Career Partners, the companies and organizations that make our Emerge internships possible. For each, we’ll give you a special look at what called them to partner with us, tell stories of their Scholar interns – and maybe inspire you and your company to partner too!

Our April Career Partner of the Month is PPM America, a Chicago-based real estate and investment firm that has hosted several Emerge Interns, and is always looking to deepen their connection to the Chicago community through partnership and consistent work. Read more to see all of their responses:

 

Firstly, why did you choose to partner with Chicago Scholars?

“Jackson, PPM America (PPM) and our dedicated associates are proud to support Chicago Scholars in providing students opportunities to build future skills to thrive. Pairing corporate sponsorship with employee engagement multiplies our collective impact with local nonprofits. We give priority to organizations like Chicago Scholars that provide valuable programming to strengthen families and create economic opportunities, ultimately building stronger communities for everyone.”

To continue, why did PPM choose to go beyond just supporting Chicago Scholars as a general financial sponsor, but to sponsor an intern as part of the Emerge program?

We recognize the positive impact we can make in our communities extends beyond our financial commitment.  Our employees are eager to invest their time and experience to enhance our efforts with our non-profit partners.  The Emerge program provided an excellent opportunity for our employees to directly engage with our community and amplify the value our organization places upon the diverse strengths our employees bring to work every day.”

What is PPM looking to accomplish through your internship program?

“PPM’s robust internship curriculum aims to foster and deepen connections within our local communities by creating meaningful pathways and opportunities for young professionals in the world of asset management while also providing mentorship and leadership skill development.”

What qualities does PPM look for in potential Emerge interns? 

“We look for the same qualities in interns that we pursue in all professionals that join our team: individuals who exhibit humbleness, directness, and dedication to delivering results.”

Finally, what are your hopes for the young adults of Chicago?

“We hope that through our passion of giving back to our communities, the young adults of Chicago are provided bountiful opportunities and dedicated resources to support and inspire them in achieving financial freedom and positively impacting their community.”

Inspired by PPM’s work with our Scholars? Head here to learn more about becoming a partner with us!

Announcing the 2024 CS Ways Core Values Mentor Award Recipients

Chicago Scholars is proud to recognize four of our mentors as the winners of our annual CS Ways Core Values Awards

The CS Ways Core Values Awards are awarded by nomination from the entire Chicago Scholars community, including staff, Scholars, and mentors. Winners represent one of the Chicago Scholars Ways Core Values: We Show Up, We Keep Our Word, We Dream Big, We Care For Each Other, and We Model The Way. 

Continue reading

Announcing the 2024 Mentor of the Year and CS Ways Core Values Award Recipients

Chicago Scholars is proud to recognize six mentors as the winners of our annual mentorship awards, Mentor of the Year and The CS Ways Core Values Awards.

Each year, the Mentor of the Year is selected through nominations from high school and first-year college Scholars.   

Mayra Miranda is the Year 2 Mentor of the Year and a Chicago Scholars Alumna (Class of 2013). She said she is grateful to be named Mentor of the Year because it’s proof that her mentees know she is there to support and celebrate them. 

“As I reflect on the numerous ways that mentors have impacted my life, being nominated by my Scholars for this award is an honor,” Mayra said. “As a CS Alum, giving back to the organization that was instrumental during my college experience and receiving this award is a full circle moment. I am so proud to be part of the Chicago Scholars community, a community filled with exceptional leaders that are committed to supporting and uplifting Scholars.” 

For Mayra, the best parts of mentoring with Chicago Scholars are the conversations with her mentees and the ability to collaborate with Chicago Scholars staff. She said the experience has been rewarding.  

The impact of Chicago Scholars is one that I know first-hand. As an alumna of the program, I remember the support I received to help me navigate the college application process. I will never forget my own Onsite experience,” Mayra said. “I encourage anyone that is interested in supporting Scholars to navigate the college application process or is interested in higher education to volunteer. Chicago Scholars is wonderful at providing tools, resources, trust, and support to mentors. Volunteering as a mentor has been a transformational experience.” 

 

Schafaris Turner is the Year 1 Mentor of the Year and a Chicago Scholars Alumna (Class of 2016).  

“It means so much that my Scholars thought so highly of me to nominate me,” Schafaris said. “Many times, I wonder if I’m doing enough, if I’m being supportive enough, or even available enough. This award serves as recognition of the work I have been doing and validation that I’m giving my all to my Scholars.” 

Schafaris said her favorite part of the year is when her Scholars announce the college they will attend in the fall.  

“It’s beautiful to see all of their hard work and determination finally come to fruition,” she said. 

Each year, her Scholars teach her something new about the world and about herself, Schafaris said. In particular, Scholars have modeled the way for showing up as your authentic self in all contexts, a trait Schafaris said she admires. 

“It warms my heart to know that this organization has not strayed away from their mission after all these years,” Schafaris said. “By getting involved with Chicago Scholars, you’ll have the opportunity to be a resource to the next generation of leaders. You will also have the opportunity to network with other amazing professionals that have chosen to volunteer as well.  

 

The CS Ways Core Values Awards are awarded by nomination from the entire Chicago Scholars community, including staff, Scholars, and mentors. Winners represent one of the Chicago Scholars Ways Core Values: We Show Up, We Keep Our Word, We Dream Big, We Care For Each Other, and We Model The Way. 

 

Alleson Knox is a Year 2 mentor and is excited to have two mentees at her alma mater, Howard University. She was recognized for modeling the value “We Show Up.”

“I’m grateful to have supported my mentees in their college application process and transition,” Alleson said. “I realize these relationships will extend far beyond the official terms of mentorship, and I look forward to the many memories and wonderful things they will accomplish in the coming years.” 

Alleson said she encourages potential mentors to jump in and be open to sharing their life experience – especially their mistakes and lessons learned from them.  

Students deserve our unwavering support during such a monumental part of their lives,” she said. “By fostering a culture of mentorship and support, Chicago Scholars not only enhances the college application process for students, but also cultivates a community where aspirations are nurtured and dreams are realized.” 

 

Andrea Syukur has been a Chicago Scholars Mentor since 2017. She said she was surprised to receive a CS Ways Award for the “We Model the Way” value and is grateful to be recognized by her fellow Mentors.  

For Andrea, the best part of mentoring with Chicago Scholars has been working with college Scholars while “knowing the sweet rewards of the long game.” 

“We meet kids at a point in their lives where they’re about to embark on their biggest journey, and then some fall out of touch due to the rhythm of life,” Andrea said. “Then when you least expect it: a text, a Snapchat message, or a LinkedIn message comes in thanking you for all you’ve done to get them through college and where they’re at now because of the experiences they had at school. No reward is sweeter than hearing about the successes of your past mentees.” 

Andrea encouraged anyone who wants to feel hopeful for the future of Chicago should consider getting involved with Chicago Scholars. 

“Chicago Scholars helps you recognize the immense potential of our Chicago community. Our Scholars represent the best and brightest the city has to offer from all of its diverse neighborhoods,” she said. “This work is for those looking to see what our future looks like for our city.”
 

Kiley Kio said receiving a CS Ways Award for “We Dream Big” “represents a significant milestone” in her journey as a young professional.  

I am grateful for the concept of the American Dream, the countless mentors that have imparted their words of wisdom, I am also grateful for the many long hours that have carried me to this very moment,” Kiley said. “This award represents a personal milestone as it validates not only this path I have tried to trailblaze, but also the impact I have seemingly had in helping Chicago’s youth achieve similar life checkpoints.” 

 Kiley’s favorite parts of mentoring with Chicago Scholars have been the relationships she’s built with her mentees and co-mentors and the chance to be a more empathetic leader. 

 “I would strongly everyone – at any age or stage of life – to get involved with the revolutionary work brewing at Chicago Scholars,” Kiley said. “Chicago Scholars is an organization where people are seen, heard, and deeply valued.” 

 

Lovey Marshall is a Year 2 mentor and has been a mentor since 2022. She has been recognized for modelling the value, “We Care for Each Other.”

 “I love showing up and supporting Scholars, but I never thought they were actually paying attention to me,” Lovey said. “ I am honored that they saw me and my contribution to their journey.” 

 The best part of Lovey’s experience as a mentor has been watching her mentees see their dreams come true.  

“Chicago Scholars opens the door wide so Scholars can see the world,” she said. “Sometimes that world is going to a college in California and being able to visit that school. When scholars get into the school they want or a lot of schools and they get the option to chose which one they want, its so fun to see their excitement.” 

Lovey said she has strong relationships with her mentees, even hearing from some that they want to continue checking in with her even after their formal mentor/mentee relationship ends. She said that she would encourage others to become mentors in order to have this kind of lasting impact on a student’s life. 

From my Scholars, I have learned that they desire to impact the world through change and advocacy for the betterment of all,” Lovey said. “Young people who are still in high school and headed into college see the future and how they can impact it….That is amazing.”   

 

The application for 2024-2026 mentors closes on May 3, 2024. Learn more about the program and submit your application here 

Meet Our 2024 Chicago Scholars Mentors of the Year!

Meet Our Year One and Year Mentors of the Year

Each year, our Mentors work to build incredible and lasting relationships with the Scholars in their cohorts. They give our Scholars a steady role model to rely on as they prepare for and head off to college. All of our Mentors go above and beyond with their Scholars – but we’re incredibly proud to honor our chosen 2024 Mentors of the Year: Schafaris Turner for Year One Mentor, and Mayra Miranda for Year Two Mentor – both of whom are Chicago Scholars Alumni.

We spoke with each of them about what it means to be recognized for these awards, and how it drives them forward as they continue their journeys as a mentor with us. Read on for their responses!

Continue reading

Meet Amy Galibois, Director of Scholar Supports & Scholarships

For the past month, we’ve been walking you through the ins and outs of our Scholar Dollars and ELD Grant programs, as well as our incredible Scholarship offerings. This month, we’re bringing you some one on one interviews with scholarship funders and partners, Scholars who have received funding, and more.

We spoke with Amy Galibois, Director of Scholar Supports and Scholarships at Chicago Scholars, about what she finds fulfilling in her work, what her day to day work looks like, and more.

What is your role and what does it entail? 

I am the Director of Scholar Supports and Scholarships. That means I oversee all scholarship work for the organization. The main goal is connecting Scholars to scholarships, to close financial gaps. Ideally, to help them matriculate and persist through college without loans, helping make college financially feasible. I’ll have been with Chicago Scholars 5 years in July.”

What do you find fulfilling about your work? 

“Building relationships with scholarship recipients. Watching them realize their passions, explore their interests, soak in the college experience in their field of study, without worrying about the financial stress piece. If they aren’t as worried about affording college or putting the mental/physical time and energy into finding the funding, it’s fulfilling to see them devote that energy, time, and attention into exciting avenues, setting them up to reach the goals they have for themselves. So go ahead and give it your all to a club you want to lead or devote your mental energy to preparing for med school, or whatever it might be without having to stress about the finances.”

What is something about your job that you wish people knew? 

What sticks with me is that the impact of scholarships goes far beyond the financial support. At the base level, it’s helpful financially, and receiving a scholarship can give such an affirmation of what a student has been driving for. The fact someone believes in them, says they’ll put their money behind them, the encouragement piece. And the community that is created with other recipients and donors can also be very important. Sometimes with scholarship partners, there are multiple levels of benefits beyond the financial piece of a scholarship.  

Depending on the scholarship, it may open the door to another opportunity or help the recipient strengthen or create the network they can lean on in their career journey. Perhaps they’ll have the chance to connect to someone in a career field because of their scholarship, or even form a relationship with someone who could serve as a mentor.  

The many levels of support that come with receiving a scholarship make it impactful beyond the money. Of course, the money matters, but that isn’t all of it. Winning a scholarship, that’s another achievement and it might make other people take a second look and take a chance on the recipient, the skills they bring, and their accomplishments.”

How does your work fit into the ecosystem of Chicago Scholars and our Scholars lives? 

I love my place in the organization because there is a strong piece of my work that gives me the opportunity to connect with Scholars. At the same time, I enjoy the opportunity to build relationships with donors and other scholarship providers in the community, and also help to connect other providers to our scholars. Even if it’s not a scholarship I oversee, we can still support our Scholars in putting forward a strong application for other great programs that offer financial assistance and much more. We work closely with other providers, getting to know donors, partners, and families – all in support of our Scholars.”

Do you have a favorite scholarship related story/memory?

“I am fortunate to get to know our CS scholarship recipients and to witness their journeys throughout the college years. When they’re just starting off, when they are applying for scholarships, seeing them come to an event, meeting them as they are on the cusp of their college journey and witnessing how they grow over the course of college. Seeing them find their way, exploring new interests, joining clubs, getting those internships, studying abroad, and persisting to graduation. It’s really powerful to see them grow throughout the progression of their college experience. It’s very special.”

What does your day-to-day work look like? 

“For a potential donor, it may help to know what I do in the management of the CS scholarships. I oversee the administration from scholarship development in collaboration with donors, to hosting the application, supporting Scholars through the application process, reviewing applications, selecting recipients, dispersing funds, and checking in on the recipients throughout college to ensure they are on track and to connect them with helpful resources. I manage the full annual cycle of the work – it’s very fulfilling.” 

Discover more about our scholarship opportunities, read about recent awardees, and learn how to become a funder by visiting our Chicago Scholars Scholarships webpage: https://chicagoscholars.org/scholarships/. If you are interested in exploring opportunities to sponsor a scholarship for our students, please contact us at scholarships@chicagoscholars.org. 

Meet Rusty Cohen Scholarship Recipient Marci Santos

For the past month, we’ve been walking you through the ins and outs of our Scholar Dollars and ELD Grant programs, as well as our incredible Scholarship offerings. This month, we’re bringing you some one on one interviews with scholarship funders and partners, Scholars who have received funding, and more.

We spoke with Marci Santos, current Sophomore at Hope College, and recipient of the Rusty Cohen Legacy Scholarship Fund with Chicago Scholars and Magid, about how she landed the scholarship, what it’s allowed her the freedom to do, and what it means to her to be a recipient.

Hi Marci! Tell Us A Bit About Yourself and Where You Go To School

I am a First Generation Latina student studying Business and Political Science at Hope College. I’m also a Chicago Scholar from the Class of 2027, as well as a recipient of the Rusty Cohen Scholarship. I am currently a Phelps Scholar, Vander Werf Scholar and am involved in a number of student organizations on campus!”

Can you tell us about the Scholarship you received?

I am a recipient of the Rusty Cohen Legacy Scholarship. This scholarship is in honor of Rusty Cohen, who was the leader of Magid Glove and Safety. He was a personable and generous man who worked to keep people safe at work and supported young people in attaining higher education. This scholarship aims to support students working towards a college education with preference towards those interested in the Environmental Health and Safety careers.”

How were you able to secure your scholarship?

“When the Magid site visit came around, I jumped at the chance to go, and expressed a high interest in the community and work they did there. I also got the opportunity to connect with the employees at Magid while learning about their jobs during a career fair. During my application and interview, I was able to leverage this previous visit and exposure. Most of all, I made sure to tell my story and be myself. At my core I am hardworking and a light hearted which I brought into my interview.”

Finally, how has the scholarship impacted your college experience and journey?

“Being a recipient of the Rusty Cohen Scholarship has allowed me to do things I had never thought of before coming to college. I’m a First Generation student, so I had no real reference to the classes I would be taking or what opportunities there would even be on campus for me. This scholarship lifted the financial load significantly on me and my family. With the Scholarship, I’ve had the freedom to explore and take advantage of pretty much all of the opportunities on campus. I joined the Business Club and traveled to Washington D.C and Chicago to learn about different career opportunities which I wouldn’t have been able to without this scholarship. Not only that, but I have been able to allocate more time to my studies and maintain good grades.”

Interested in starting your own scholarship with Chicago Scholars? Reach out to our Director of Scholar Support and Scholarships, Amy Galibois, at agalibois@chicagoscholars.org. Or, want to donate to our larger scholarship funding? Head HERE!

Behind the Scenes With Generations Scholarship Co-Founder Andy Duerkop

For the past month, we’ve been walking you through the ins and outs of our Scholar Dollars and ELD Grant programs, as well as our incredible Scholarship offerings. This month, we’re bringing you some one on one interviews with scholarship funders and partners, Scholars who have received funding, and more.

We spoke with Andy Duerkop, founder of the Generations Scholarship with Chicago Scholars, around why he chose to work with CS, why founding a scholarship was important for him, and what his experience has been like meeting student recipients over the years.

What was your catalyst for creating a scholarship with Chicago Scholars?

My wife and I have been very lucky that we had people in our lives who made sure that both of us, as well as our children, were able to attend college. Our grandparents and our parents appreciated the importance of higher education and, early on, established college funds to pay for our family’s college costs.  The Generations Scholarship was named with our parents and grandparents in mind and was created to “pay it forward” so that future recipients will have the opportunity to attend college and, hopefully, will someday be able to help  someone else — a son, daughter, niece, grandson —  also attend college.”

“We were lucky to be able to partner with Chicago Scholars early upon creation of the Generations Scholarship.  Not only were they able to help administer the scholarship but they also had access to the college-bound high school students who were most in need of the funds.  Every step of the way, it has been a true partnership that continues to grow.”

What do you wish people knew about starting a scholarship fund?

Our biggest obstacle in starting a scholarship fund was finding the bridge between the college funds and the qualified students.  Choosing the scholarship recipient was only half our battle.  After making the award we needed to make sure that there were supports in place to assure that the recipients had every opportunity to be successful and thrive their first year in school.  We were only able to build our scholarship by partnering with Chicago Scholars to be that bridge.”

Finally, is there a story from a scholarship recipient that you often come back to?

Before awarding a scholarship, we host interviews with each finalist.  Through those interviews we have met some of the most amazing students.  Each one has their own story and each is deserving in their own way of the scholarship funds.  They are tremendous people and we have enjoyed keeping in touch with all of our scholarship winners and celebrating their college successes with them.”

Interested in starting your own scholarship with Chicago Scholars? Reach out to our Director of Scholar Support and Scholarships, Amy Galibois, at agalibois@chicagoscholars.org. Or, want to donate to our larger scholarship funding? Head HERE!

Chicago Scholars April Mentor of the Month

Michael L Smith, Mentor since 2018

As of today, there’s just one more month to apply to become a Chicago Scholars Mentor!

In celebration, we’ve got just two more Mentor highlights as part of our Mentor of the month series, where we introduce you to some of our current incredible mentors, give you a special look at what called them to take on this responsibility, tell stories of connection with their Scholar cohorts – and maybe inspire you to become a mentor too!

Our April Mentor of the Month is Michael L Smith, who has been working with our Scholars since 2018. He grew up watching his own father work as a mentor to youth in the Woodlawn neighborhood, inspiring Michael to follow in his footsteps.

“My dad gave his time to help influence and impact the lives of young people in the Woodlawn Neighborhood where I grew up. As a small boy, under the age of 10, I constantly witnessed young men ringing our doorbell. I would run to see who it was, and each time, they would ask for Mr. Louis – my dad. He would go out to talk with them, sometimes even invited the young folks in and talk with them about ways to be a better person. What I remember most about my father’s work as a mentor was how much of his own time and attention he gave to each person that came to our door. I reflected on this quite a bit later on in my own life. Mentorship was not a common term in the 1960’s and 70’s, but it was commonplace in my house.”

“Now, as a mentor myself, I have direct involvement in guiding the successful journeys and outcomes of students eager to work towards pursuing higher education at the University and College level. I’ve had so many memorable experiences with Scholars over the years, but one that really stands out for me was at Onsite of this past year, when I was able to introduce the Scholars in my cohort to Chicago’s Mayor, Brandon Johnson, whom I’ve known well for many years. To see how excited they were, and how much drive it gave them in their college interviews that day, it brought me so much joy.”

Over his six years as a Chicago Scholars Mentor, Michael has guided dozens of Scholars into college, and onto fulfilling careers. As he continues his mentoring experience, he looks forward to meeting the CS class of 2029, and helping his students along to bigger and brighter things.

“My goal as a mentor for the coming year is to support my Scholar Cohort with guidance in getting scholarships, participating in fulfilling community Service and volunteer opportunities, and building professional relationships with career professionals, including Alderman and business professionals from across the city. I want to see my Scholars achieve whatever they set their minds to, and to be the helping hand for them along the way, just like my dad was for so many kids from my neighborhood.”

Inspired by Michael’s story? Head here to learn more about applying to be a mentor! The mentor application is open to support our new incoming class of Chicago Scholars – head here to check out the application and apply before the deadline on May 3rd!

Q&A with Mosea Esaias (CS ’17, Swarthmore ’17), MBA student at Chicago Booth School of Business

Mosea Esaias (Chicago Scholars Class of 2017, Swarthmore College ’17) is an MBA student at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Booth School of Business is Chicago Scholars’ first graduate school partner.

What do you plan to do after you finish your degree?

My professional background is in political consulting for startups. However, my first-ever professional job was as an intern at a one-room analytics software startup in Chicago the summer after I graduated from high school. I watched with excitement as the company expanded significantly in the ensuing years. Chicago Scholars connected me with this opportunity, and it was my first exposure to the possibilities within venture-backed entrepreneurship.

Upon completing my MBA at Booth, I plan to transition into an investment role within the venture capital sector, leveraging my extensive background with startups. My ultimate goal is to invest at the intersections of societies and markets. I believe in companies with a clear value proposition for shareholders stemming from an expansive view of the social environments in which they operate. I aspire to use the analytical frameworks and leadership skills acquired at Booth to identify and nurture these businesses, building important products and services while driving the economic development of Chicago.

What’s it like to attend Booth School of Business as a Chicago Scholars Alum?

I am from a predominantly Black neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. The University of Chicago is a special place to me, and in many ways I grew up in the backyard of this institution. I share a lot in common with the values of the University, and attending Chicago for graduate school has always felt like a natural next step for my personal and professional development.

Attending Booth as a CS alum is deeply rewarding and fulfilling. It’s a testament to how far I’ve come—from a young person in the heart of the South Side seeking personal development and self-discovery, to now pursuing my MBA at a globally renowned institution. Booth’s commitment to academic freedom and its emphasis on meaningful impact resonate with my own principles and experiences with CS. It’s an empowering experience, and one that constantly fills me with gratitude.

 Do you think your experience as a Chicago Scholar helped prepare you for Booth?

Absolutely-–Chicago Scholars was instrumental in preparing me for Booth. Chicago Scholars focuses on fostering economic mobility, leadership skills, and a sense of belonging. Their goal is to create a dynamic Chicago led by diverse leaders from across the city. The organization provided me with resources, training, and opportunities to successfully apply to college, graduate, and embark on my professional career. My involvement with Chicago Scholars reinforced the importance of resilience, strategic thinking, and the value of community—competencies which were indispensable along my journey to business school and beyond.

How do you think the partnership between Chicago Scholars and Booth School of Business will help future Scholars?

Chicago brims with talent and potential. However, many of the city’s youth lack the resources and opportunities needed for higher education and to realize their capabilities. Chicago Scholars is making significant strides to address this challenge. A partnership between CS and Booth has the potential to create a powerful pipeline for Chicago’s young talent to access world-class business education and opportunities. Scholars would benefit from Booth’s rigorous academic environment and its commitment to fostering leadership skills. At the same time, Chicago Booth would benefit from the wealth of insights rooted in the intellectual diversity stemming from its surrounding communities. The symbiotic relationship between Chicago Scholars and Booth can amplify the impact on economic mobility and leadership development, cultivating a new generation of diverse leaders for Chicago and beyond.

What’s your advice to Scholars who are thinking about grad school?

While college enrollments have declined in recent years, particularly among young men of color, higher education remains a critical gateway for opportunity in the United States. My advice is to pursue your passions with perseverance and an open mind. Grad school, especially a prestigious institution like Booth, is not just about academic rigor; it’s also about personal development in preparation for the long-term peregrination through life. Utilize your experiences and the networks you’ve built, like those from CS, to guide your journey. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and never underestimate the value of mentorship and building relationships. With hard work, discipline, and determination, students of all backgrounds can overcome barriers and attain excellence.

What would you say to your Booth colleagues about getting involved with Chicago Scholars?

I would encourage my Booth classmates to get involved with CS and contribute to shaping future leaders from across Chicago. Involvement with CS is an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people who are just starting their professional journeys. Whether through mentorship, sharing expertise, or supporting the Scholars’ college application and career transition processes, support for Chicago Scholars perfectly exemplifies Booth’s “pay it forward” mentality. Engaging with CS not only enriches the lives of Scholars but also provides invaluable learning and personal growth opportunities for Booth students. Together, we can help create a vibrant Chicago powered by diverse leaders from every neighborhood.

 

Scholar Opinion: Keep Your Options Open

This piece is part of a series focused on the ongoing debate about the relevance of humanities majors in today’s job market. See recent opinion pieces about this topic here and here.

One of the scariest parts about the college process/entering college is the major selection process. I didn’t know what my major was going to be until I left high school. There were a lot of reasons, like hearing about the difficulty of a certain major, the fun of a major, people’s experience within a major, or even how your high school courses prepared you for a major. I could have taken AP and IB courses in high school, but I saved myself the stress and stuck with Honors classes. Looking back at it now, I wish I had taken a couple of AP and/or IB courses because although they are stressful, they can prepare you for college extremely well. When I made friends in college, I always asked them what courses they took in high school and they all said that they took AP courses and classes that aligned perfectly with their major. I feel like not taking AP and IB courses kept me from knowing what I wanted to study in college. I had ideas about careers in healthcare, science, or tech, but I just could not put a finger on what I actually wanted to study for four years.

While choosing my major at Georgetown University, there wasn’t a wide range of major selections. Most were in the Humanities, which is something I never wanted to invest myself in. Humanities has a bad look in my eyes because of how my high school teachers taught the subjects. I had five Humanities-based Honors courses: English Survey; African American Literature; World Literature; British Literature; and Politics. Out of these courses, only English Survey allowed me to see just how complex the topic was. The others felt like I was just in a class for 50 minutes; I didn’t feel like I was genuinely learning anything, even if I tried. The classes felt dull and led me to see Humanities as boring, not creative, and too straightforward.

Because of this, I avoided Humanities majors. But I talked to my British Literature teacher, and she told me something that I never really thought about before: “People usually think Humanities is a boring thing, but it’s only a boring thing if you’re not creative or your teacher isn’t creative. If you can find joy in the realm of Humanities, then Humanities might be the place where you want to study because it brings out your creativity. It’s not just reading books and underlining sentences, it’s another world of art and creativity.”

This conversation made me think back to when I took my English Survey class. I felt like I was able to learn a lot more by simply being allowed to create. This made me dive deeper into the realm of Humanities majors, even if my comfortability within other subjects made me choose a science major (Kinesiology) over a Humanities major.

If you’re in high school and thinking about a major to pursue in college, please take the proper courses for it and allow yourself to think outside of the box about what major you might want to pursue. Humanities is a great area of major selections, because of its creativity and how deep and complex some of the majors are. If you have a chance to take a high-level course in something, take the risk and try it out. You never know how it can shape your view on what you want to study in the future. If I had another chance to choose a major in my college process, it would be Humanities.

Scholar Opinion: Humanities Majors Lend New Perspectives, Not Limited Outcomes

This piece is part of a series focused on the ongoing debate about the relevance of humanities majors in today’s job market. See recent opinion pieces about this topic here and here.

 

The humanities consist of disciplines such as history, art, gender studies, music, philosophy, religion, and much more. It fosters critical thinking and authentic appreciation of the human experience. However, institutions have challenged the importance of humanities and cut funds for its development. The humanities are essential to understanding what it means to be human, motivating us to question assumptions about ourselves and the world around us, and encouraging broadening one’s focus to other practical implications.

In my personal experience as a double major in Neurobiology and Philosophy, the humanities have allowed me to grow my interest in self-awareness, such as considering how it can be altered in varying mental states (i.e. emotions). This developed when I was enrolled in my first philosophy class, Philosophy 101. A couple of our discussions revolved around social differences and inequity where minority groups had the space to share our experiences of prejudice. I shared my story as a Latino who grew up in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago and my feelings of being isolated in a predominantly white population at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In spite of this feeling of exclusion, I carry a chain in my bookbag given to me by my grandmother, which allows me to feel a sense of comfort and belonging. This reflection, along with insights from my classmates in Philosophy 101, has driven me to consider how emotions can affect our self-awareness and actions. Hence, I majored in philosophy to further explore my interests from a cultural standpoint instead of limiting myself to STEM.

The humanities disciplines can teach skills that have increased in demand in our evolving workplace. For example, philosophy has encouraged me to engage in public speaking and learn how to communicate effectively. Since joining the McNair Scholars program, I’ve been able to develop my research skills at the Center of Sleep and Consciousness lab. Under the mentorship of Dr. Cirelli, I am contributing to the testing of the SHY hypothesis. We study synaptic plasticity and the changes that occur between sleep and wake. In the lab, I learned how to reconstruct neural cells from 2D images obtained from mice subjects using electron microscopy. Despite facing challenges with effective communication as an introvert, my philosophy courses have offered various opportunities to practice my public speaking and hone my argumentation skills.  This has given me the courage to present my contributions at the University of New Mexico McNair Scholars Conference.

As a third-year student interested in graduate school, philosophy has allowed me to explore the relevance of neurobiological research from an interdisciplinary perspective. For example, my interests in neurobiology are based on consciousness and how altered states of awareness can influence one’s actions. My engagement with the humanities plays a crucial role in expanding the scope of my research interests to other real-world scenarios. Philosophy, with its emphasis on ethics, has provided me with insights on the challenges faced by neurodegenerative disease patients within prisons. This interdisciplinary perspective not only prompts me to question the molecular and structural aspects of neurodegenerative diseases but also the ethical implications within the treatment and care of these patients. I am interested in how we can improve correctional facilities to accommodate neurodegenerative disease patients, and to what extent we can decide if a patient is conscious enough to coexist in our social environment.

The humanities have provided me with a newfound perspective on the importance of learning about human experience and action. Furthermore, it allows me to expand the scope of my research interests to other real-world implications. I would advise other students to engage in the humanities, and institutions to encourage its development.

 

Learn more about how Chicago Scholars supports students in their college years.

Meet Our Mentor of the Month!

John Garcia, Chicago Scholars Alumni, Former Emerge Intern, Mentor since 2023

John Garcia headshot, Chicago Scholars mentor of the month

Starting this month, in celebration of our new Mentor application opening, we’ll be highlighting some of our current incredible mentors with a new mentor of the month series. Be sure to come back every month to hear their stories, why they decided to become a mentor, and maybe even some special stories of connections with their scholar cohorts that you can only read here.

Our January Mentor of the Month is John Garcia – as a Chicago Scholar alumni himself from the class of 2021, John has been a part of the Chicago Scholars community for years. His transition to mentor in 2023 was the next step in his drive to continue to give back to his community.

“Chicago Scholars has been a huge part of my life since being a scholar myself and I would not be where I am today without the organization. I’ve been a scholar, a peer mentor in college, an emerge scholar, and now a mentor for an amazing cohort of students. I’m driven by the desire to help students who are in the seat I once was, and to give back to the Chicago community that has give so much to me over the years,” said John.

Though John has been part of the Chicago Scholars community since he started as a Scholar in 2018, his journey as a mentor is only beginning – and he has so much more that he’s looking forward to as he helps to guide other Scholars on their path forward.

“I have appreciated the opportunity to grow, teach and learn from our younger Chicago Scholars and I know the impact the organization is able to have on students lives. Being a first generation, low income student, I know the struggles scholars can go through in terms of finances and finding community in campus. If my advice and words can reach even one student, that is a huge success. My advice for anyone, including if I could give it to my former self, would be to always be yourself, keep an open mind, and learn to love and care for the people around you. I would like to show my gratitude to all of Chicago Scholars for their dedication to me and all of the scholars. Thank you and I look forward to continuing my involvement with the community.”

Inspired by John’s story? Head here to learn more about applying to be a mentor! The mentor application is now open to support our new incoming class of Chicago Scholars – head here to check out the application and apply before the deadline on May 3rd!