Cougar Notes
June 2021 Newsletter
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Welcome to Chicago State University’s Cougar Notes, where we share updates on accomplishments, programs, and new hires. Please stay in touch and be sure to share with your networks the great news at CSU! |
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CSU Celebrates Commencement |
CSU celebrated our 367th Commencement ceremony for over 295 students who completed their graduate and undergraduate degrees during the Spring 2021 semester. The commencement ceremony speaker was Chris Gardner, the CEO of HappYness. Gardner is a New York Times best selling author and is the inspiration for the critically acclaimed film “The Pursuit of Happiness.” Among degree recipients, an honorary degree was awarded to Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti, a leading poet and pivotal figure in Black literary tradition. Graduates were invited to complete their celebration with a “Selfie” day, an opportunity for students and their families to pose for photos in front of the colleges, landmarks, trees, and statues around campus! View the commencement ceremony book here.
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Action Plan for Black Student Access & Success in Illinois Higher Education Released
CSU convened stakeholders across the state to identify strategies to address the crisis of the declining Black student enrollment rate in higher education in Illinois, an effort called the Equity Working Group. The action plan calls for policy makers and key stakeholders to create and implement policies and procedures that make higher education accessible and affordable for all Illinois Black students, foster black students’ academic success through robust institutional supports, prioritize Black students holistic well-being, and to build strong bridges into the workplace for Black students and graduates.
The Equity Working Group is co-chaired by Zaldwaynaka (“Z”) Scott, Esq. (President of Chicago State University), Honorable Elgie Sims, Jr. (Illinois Senator, 17th district), Mr. John Atkinson (Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Willis Towers Watson and Board Chair of the Illinois Board of Higher Education), and Ms. Karen Freeman-Wilson (President and CEO of Chicago Urban League). The Working Group is composed of stakeholders from across sectors and across the state, including the Illinois Board of Higher Education, members of the Illinois General Assembly, employers, philanthropy, public and private colleges and universities, and community and non-profit groups. The Civic Consulting Alliance provided strategy and project management support. Working sessions were facilitated by HCM Strategists, which was made possible with support provided by the Lumina Foundation. Read the full report here and media coverage in the Chicago Tribune.
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Chicago State University Offices Reopening on July 6th
In line with the reopening plans of Mayor Lightford and Governor Pritzker, we are excited to welcome back CSU staff for fully working on campus starting on July 6th. Offices and operations will resume as we prepare for upcoming community events and the fall semester. Events to look forward to are the Protect Chicago Concert at CSU in partnership with the City of Chicago (July 1st), the CSU Community Town Hall (July 14th at 6:00 pm), our Back-to-School parade (August 23rd), and our return to in-person learning this fall. CSU’s COVID-19 Task Force is continuing to meet weekly to ensure university operations align with emerging public health guidelines. To learn more about our fall operating plan, visit our website here.
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CSU and Morgan State University Launch a Dual Degree Partnership |
Chicago State University and Morgan State University (MSU) launched a collaboration that will increase students of color access to engineering careers. The collaboration was celebrated with a signing ceremony where MSU President Dr. David Wilson and CSU President Zaldwaynaka Scott signed an agreement that creates a pathway from CSU to MSU where participants receive two bachelor’s degrees in five years. From CSU, the student would earn a B.S. in Physics Engineering, and from MSU, a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. The agreement will advance both universities’ commitment to increasing underrepresented students’ participation in engineering degree programs. Corporate attendees included Cummins, Inc, Illinois Tool Works, AT&T, and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
Chicago State University and Morgan State University (MSU) launched a collaboration that will increase students of color access to engineering careers. The collaboration was celebrated with a signing ceremony where MSU President Dr. David Wilson and CSU President Zaldwaynaka Scott signed an agreement that creates a pathway from CSU to MSU where participants receive two bachelor’s degrees in five years. From CSU, the student would earn a B.S. in Physics Engineering, and from MSU, a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. The agreement will advance both universities’ commitment to increasing underrepresented students’ participation in engineering degree programs.
Corporate attendees included Cummins, Inc, Illinois Tool Works, AT&T, and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
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Chicago State University's Pre-Freshman Program in Engineering and Science Receives $10,000 Award from the Ford Motor Company
Chicago State University's Pre-Freshman Program in Engineering and Science (PREP) received a $10,000 award from Ford Gives Back Freedom Award. The PREP program is designed to make students aware at an early age of the professional opportunities in engineering and to encourage students to take more mathematics and science courses during high school. The Freedom Award provides opportunities for community organizations to receive supplemental funding to build upon the vital work they are doing to make positive changes within their communities. Learn more here.
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CSU Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month |
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CSU celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by highlighting faculty and staff of Asian American and Pacific Islander descent across our social media platforms. CSU is honored to have leaders like Kim Tran, Chief of Staff for the President, Jason M. Linders, Executive Sr. Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations in our Athletic Department and Dr. Soo Kang, Professor of Art History in the Department of Art & Design in the College of Arts & Sciences. To view the highlights, visit our Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter social media pages.
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Chicago State Foundation Hosts Panel Discussion on Racial Equity in the Finance Profession
Finance professionals Leslie J. Anderson (BMO Harris), Kristin Finney-Cooke (NEPC), Perika Sampson (Morgan Stanley) and Nicole Sams (Morgan Stanley) discussed their rise through the ranks of the finance industry and their work to advance racial equity and address the racial wealth gap in a conversation moderated by Melissa Donaldson (Wintrust Financial). The conversation also covered diversity, equity, and inclusion in corporate financial spaces. Watch the full discussion here.
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Alumna Highlight: Annette Nance-Holt City of Chicago Fire Department Commissioner
CSU aluma, Annette Nance-Holt, was selected as the first Black and first woman of color to be the City of Chicago Fire Department Commissioner. Prior to becoming acting Commissioner, Annette Nance-Holt achieved another historic first when she was named the First Deputy Commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department in 2018. Commissioner Nance-Holt has over 30 years of experience in the planning, organizing, and administration of all fire department operations. Nance-Holt graduated from CSU with a Bachelor of Arts. Commissioner Nance-Holt, CSU is proud to see your excellence in motion! Read the full article here.
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Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director Jessica Poole Featured in Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Chicago State Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director Jessica Poole was featured in a Diverse Issues in Higher Education article spotlighting women in athletics. In her role at CSU, Jessica oversees athletics external operations and revenue generation. During the interview, Poole talked about the importance of her role as a Black woman in her position. She states "There aren’t many Black women in a role like mine, so being representative is a huge part of diversity and showing that a role like mine is attainable for successors." Next year, Poole will become the first Black female to lead the Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). CoSIDA is an organization dedicated to being a resource for leadership and professional development for professionals in the sports information field. Congratulations Jessica on your appointment! Read the full interview here.
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Registration Opens for CSU Summer Career Exploration Bridge Camps |
The College of Education and The College of Business are excited to announce that registration has opened for our summer bridge career exploration camps. The camps are open for three weeks in July and tuition is $297 for three weeks of enriching programming. This is a great opportunity for students to explore careers in education or business and entrepreneurship while meeting other students with the same interests. If your child is passionate about learning and wants to change lives or wants to know how to become a successful entrepreneur, this is the camp for them. Learn more and register here.
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CSU Applauds the General Assembly’s Stable Funding for Higher Education
Recently the Illinois Legislature approved the state’s budget and capital bill for the upcoming fiscal year (FY2022). CSU’s state appropriation was maintained at the same level as the last two years. Funding for capital projects, such as the Health Sciences Simulation Lab, were reappropriated. Additionally, funding for MAP grants increased by 6% and AIM HIGH scholarships remained level. Chicago State applauds the General Assembly and its decision to maintain stable funding for higher education. The level funding provides much-needed stability as CSU supports students through this period of continuous transitions.
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