Onsite College and Leadership Forum
2024-10-25 | Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
The Onsite College and Leadership Program is Chicago Scholars’ signature event. Every year, Scholars gather to interview with representatives from college partners across the country. Some Scholars even leave with a college acceptance or merit aid!
The day also includes a Leadership Hub, where local businesses, civic partners, and colleges offer information and more to Scholars and their families. Family programming in English and Spanish is also provided.

Reach For the Future: A Chicago Scholars Celebration
2024-11-13 00:00 UTC | Walden Chicago, 2145 W. Walnut St., Chicago, IL, 60612
Mark your calendars for this inaugural celebration on Wednesday, November 13th at Walden Chicago in support of our annual Onsite College & Leadership Forum! Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, networking with fellow Chicago Scholars supporters, and an engaging fireside chat featuring some of our very own Scholars and Alejandra Campoverdi, author of First Gen. Tickets and sponsorships are now available, click here to learn more!

Women Lift & Lead 2025 Kickoff Event
2025-03-31 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Three Cities Social Club, 320 W. Ohio Street, Suite #7E, Chicago, IL, 60654, United States
Celebrate Women’s History Month with Chicago Scholars at the 2025 Women Lift and Lead Kickoff Event on March 31st! Enjoy free hors d’oeuvres and cocktails while networking with some of Chicago’s most prominent women leaders.
Join us at the Three Cities Social Club from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for this free event – just be sure to register!

Cocktails and Conversations
2025-07-17 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Join Chicago Scholars for our annual Cocktails and Conversations. College partners, community leaders, staff, volunteers, and more will come together and discuss trends in Higher Education and the nonprofit sector. Join us for fun and community!
Contact Andre Hebert for information on how to register: ahebert@chicagoscholars.org.

College Fair
2025-07-18 09:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
Class of 2030 Scholars will have the opportunity to meet with our college partners and gather information about their options.

Emerge Closing Ceremony
2025-07-25 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Microsoft Midwest District, 200 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States

Choose Chicago Tourism Day
2025-07-31

College Send-Off
2025-07-31 13:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Congratulations to the Chicago Scholars Class of 2029 — you’re headed to college!
Not a Scholar but want to celebrate? Consider donating some dorm supplies to send Scholars to college in style.
Scholars, register here.

Chicago Scholars Presents: Ticket to the Future
2025-08-07 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Iridium Center, 77 W Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
Ticket to the Future has quickly become a Chicago Scholars signature summer event that brings together our community of supporters. This special evening celebrates the academic achievements of our Scholars and marks the start of their college journey.
The program features a formal scholarship certificate presentation, opportunities for Scholars and families to connect with Scholarship providers and corporate partners, and moments to build community with fellow Scholars. Guests will also hear from inspiring speakers and enjoy light refreshments in a warm and welcoming environment.
Ticket to the Future sets the tone for the Scholars’ college experience and reaffirms our commitment to supporting their success every step of the way.
Register here

Volunteer opportunity: Writing Lab
2025-08-19 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-09-04 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-09-16 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Chicago Scholars Office, 247 S State Street, Suite 700, Chicago, IL, 60604
Volunteer to help our Scholars work on their college application essays, or help them get across the finish line on applications to their dream colleges and universities! Whether they have drafted essays or are still waiting to hit submit on those applications, we will meet them where they are to get them prepared to head into the fall with a solid foundation!
Sign up here: chicagoscholars.org/volunteer

Volunteer opportunity: College application lab
2025-09-23 08:00 - 19:30, 2025-09-24 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-09-25 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-09-27 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Chicago Scholars Office, 247 S State Street, Suite 700, Chicago, IL, 60604

Chicago Scholars presents: Our Scholars, Our Future
2025-10-09 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Bridgeport Art Center, 1200 W 35th St, Chicago, 60609
Join Chicago Scholars on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at The Bridgeport Art Center for Our Scholars, Our Future. This is an opportunity to celebrate our Scholars, network with other Chicago Scholars supporters, and contribute to our mission of empowering Chicago’s next generation of leaders. we will also award Ciere Boatright, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, our Distinguished Alumni Award. Your support directly impacts our vital Onsite programming, helping us provide critical resources and guidance to our Scholars.
We have numerous sponsorship packages available, as well as individual tickets. Click on the Sponsorships & Tickets link to learn more.
Ample free parking available. Cocktail attire suggested.

Meet our awardee

Ciere Boatright was appointed commissioner of the Chicago Department of Planning
and Development (DPD) in November 2023 by Mayor Brandon Johnson.
An experienced real estate and economic development executive, Boatright is
responsible for leading DPD’s economic development, planning and zoning functions
while promoting inclusive, equitable growth across the city.
In her previous capacity as vice president of real estate and community development at
Chicago-based real estate firm CRG, Boatright was responsible for overseeing some of
the company’s highest-impact real estate projects, collaborating with government
officials, engaging with community organizations and securing public and private
financing. Boatright also launched the company’s philanthropic arm and a mentoring
program to support commercial developers of color.
Boatright was formerly the vice president of real estate and inclusion for Chicago
Neighborhood Initiatives, where she managed the planning and development of new
projects on the South and West Side, including more than $450 million in new
investment involving the 180-acre, mixed-use Pullman Park project.
Local business publications have named her among Notable Women in Commercial
Real Estate, 40 under 40, Notable Black Leaders and Executives, and Notable
Executives of Color in Construction and Commercial Real Estate.
Boatright holds a master’s degree of urban planning and policy from the University of
Illinois at Chicago and a bachelor’s in psychology from Hamilton College. A Chicago native, Boatright resides on the South Side with her husband and two
children.

Onsite College and Leadership Forum
2025-10-21
Class of 2030 Scholars will have the opportunity to interview with our college partners and learn about leadership opportunities available to them.

Ask an Alum with Isaiah Moore
2026-06-30 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
Join Isaiah Moore, Class of 2019, for our first Ask an Alum session! Come chat with Isaiah about his experience with Chicago Scholars, his volunteer service as a mentor, and his career path. Register here.

Chicago Scholars Virtual Office Hours
2026-07-01 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-01 15:30 - 16:30, 2026-07-09 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-15 15:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
Chicago Scholars Virtual students are invited to office hours to discuss their progress in the program, get support, and ask questions.

College Readiness Workshop #1
2026-07-07 17:00 - 20:00, 2026-07-08 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
The first college readiness workshop for the Class of 2031. Please check your email for registration and location details.

Writing Lab #2
2026-07-14 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
The second Writing Lab for the Class of 2031. Scholars are invited to get assistance with their college application essays.
Scholars should check their email for details. Interested in volunteering? Reach out to Jessenia Prado at jprado@chicagoscholars.org for more information.

Cocktails and Conversations
2026-07-16 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | CBRE, 300 N LaSalle Dr.,, Suite 600, Chicago, IL, 60654, United States
College Partners are invited to join Chicago Scholars for an evening of drinks, food, and good conversation. Please contact Andre Hebert at ahebert@chicagoscholars.org for registration information.

Chicago Scholars College Fair
2026-07-17 08:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)

Homegrown Homecoming
2026-07-18 17:00 (America/New_York) | The Carter, 1948 W Foulton St, Chicago, IL, United States
Chicago Scholars Alumni are invited to join us for an evening of reunions, drinks, and more. Register here.

College Readiness Make-Up Workshop
2026-07-21 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
A make-up workshop for the Class of 2031. Please reach out to LJ Alcantar for information at lalcantar@chicagoscholars.org.
