Category: Education

To better position students for a successful career in the thriving and innovative field of hospitality, Triton College is excited to offer “Introduction to the Hospitality Industry”—a course designed to cover a range of topics in hotel and restaurant management, baking and pastry, culinary arts and more. For new students pursuing a degree or certificate in the HIA pathway, Triton is offering the Introduction to the Hospitality Industry course for free. The college’s HIA program offers associate degrees in Baking and Pastry, Culinary Arts, Hotel Management, and Restaurant Management, along with an array of certificates in these areas for individuals entering the industry or interested in furthering their careers. Triton College also offers student job opportunities at some of Chicago’s premier hotels and restaurants. Learn more at www.triton.edu/hia.

Pilsen Neighbors Community Council (PNCC) hosted the Opening Reception and Scholarship Award Ceremony to kick off the 52nd Annual Fiesta del Sol. The reception was held on Thursday, July 18th, 2024 at Xoco House Gallery. The Opening Reception served as the space to celebrate and showcase the work the organization does year-round. This year PNCC is proud to announce that Pilsen Neighbors and Fiesta del Sol awarded 30 scholarships to 30 Latino college-bound students, through its scholarship program. The Fiesta del Sol Guadalupe A. Reyes Scholarship Program has celebrated over 20 years of awarding scholarships to students from the Southwest side of the city and beyond. As a result of Guadalupe A. Reyes’ dedication and commitment to people in need, the scholarship program has been named in her honor. The scholarship program offers an opportunity for students to get $1,500 for their college expenses. Fiesta del Sol has awarded over $1.2MM in scholarships to over 600 students. Fiesta del Sol is a four-day, free admission, family-friendly summer festival. It is the largest Latino festival of its kind in the country and serves as PNCC’s fundraiser for its annual scholarship program as well as our year-round community organizing efforts. This year’s festival will take place from July 25th to the 28th with the theme: Enlazando Fronteras, Ejerciendo Nuestro Voto – Bridging Borders Exercising Our Vote.

Photo Credit: Pilsen Neighbors Community Council

Aetna Better Health of Illinois is hosting a Back to School Health & Resources Fair on Friday, July 26, from 11a.m. to 2p.m. at the Salvation Army La Villita Community Center, 3621 W 24th St., Chicago, Illinois 60623.  At the fair, attendees will have the opportunity to pick up new backpacks and school supplies while receiving key wellness information for the whole family from local health organizations. This Aetna Better Health of Illinois event aims to encourage the community’s overall wellbeing and provide access to essential health resources at no cost. 

Burlington Stores, Inc., the national discount retailer offering low prices every day on brand name merchandise for the entire family and home, is excited to launch its eighth annual in-store fundraising campaign with the award-winning national nonprofit, AdoptAClassroom.org®. Funds raised will go to local high-needs classrooms nationwide, giving deserving students much-needed classroom materials to help them learn and succeed. Last year, Burlington and its customers raised more than $1.6 million for AdoptAClassroom.org, bringing their seven-year partnership total to more than $12.3 million, supporting over 1.3 million students in store communities nationwide to date. “At AdoptAClassroom.org, we firmly believe that every child deserves the tools and materials they need to learn and thrive in school,” said Ann Pifer, executive director, AdoptAClassroom.org. “We’re grateful for our partnership with Burlington, which provides teachers with funds they need to purchase classroom supplies so their students can reach their full potential.” The AdoptAClassroom campaign will run through August 26th. Customers can round up their purchase or select a donation amount at checkout at any Burlington store nationwide to help equip students in their community with the classroom supplies they need the most. To find a store near you, visit www.Burlington.com. To learn more about AdoptAClassroom.org, visit www.adoptaclassroom.org.

Para posesionar mejor a los estudiantes para una carrera exitosa en el floreciente e innovador campo de la industria hotelera, el Triton College se complace en ofrecer “Introducción a la Industria Hotelera” – curso designado a cubrir un rango de tópicos en la administración de hoteles y restaurantes, panadería y pastelería, artes culinarias y más. Para los nuevos estudiantes que buscan obtener un título o certificado en la vía HIA, Triton ofrece el curso de Introducción a la Industria Hotelera de forma gratuita. El programa HIA del colegio ofrece diplomas de asociado en Panadería y Repostería, Artes Culinarias, Administración de Hoteles y Administración de Restaurantes, junto con una variedad de certificados en estas áreas, para personas que entran a la industria o están interesadas en proseguir sus carreras. Triton College ofrece también a los estudiantes oportunidades de empleo en algunos de los mejores hoteles y restaurantes de Chicago. Más información en www.triton.edu/hia.

Pilsen Neighbors Community Council (PNCC) organizó la Apertura y Ceremonia de Entrega de Becas para iniciar la 52º Fiesta del Sol. La recepción tuvo lugar el jueves, 18 de julio del 2024 en Xoco House Gallery. La Apertura de la Recepción sirvió como espacio para celebrar y mostrar el trabajo que la organización hace todo el año. Este año, PNCC se enorgullece en anunciar que Pilsen Neighbors y Fiesta del Sol otorgaron 30 becas a 30 estudiantes latinos que van a la universidad, a través de su programa de becas. El Programa de becas Guadalupe A. Reyes de La Fiesta del Sol ha celebrado más de 20 años de otorgar becas a estudiantes del sector sudoeste de la ciudad y más allá. Como resultado de la dedicación y entrega de Guadalupe A Reyes a gente que lo necesita, el programa de becas ha sido nombrado en su honor. El programa ofrece una oportunidad para que los estudiantes obtengan $1,500 para sus gastos de colegio. La Fiesta del Sol ha otorgado más de 1,2 millones de dólares en becas a más de 600 estudiantes. La Fiesta del Sol es un festival familiar de verano, de cuatro días y admisión gratuita. Es el festival latino más grande en su especie en el país y sirve como recaudador de PNCC para su programa anual de becas, y para nuestros esfuerzos de organización comunitaria todo el año. El festival de este año tendrá lugar del 25 al 28 de julio con el tema: Enlazando Fronteras, Ejerciendo Nuestro Voto.

Crédito Fotográfico: Pilsen Neighbors Community Council

Aetna Better Health of Illinois está organizando la Feria de Salud & Recursos de Regreso a Clases el viernes, 26 de julio, de 11 a.m. a 2 p.m. en el Salvation Army del Centro Comunitario de La Villita, 3621 W. 24 St., Chicago, Illinois 60623. En la feria, los asistentes tendrán la oportunidad de recibir nuevas mochilas y útiles escolares mientras reciben información clave de bienestar para toda la familia, de organizaciones locales de salud. Este evento de Aetna Better Health of Illinois espera estimular el bienestar general de la comunidad y brindar acceso a recursos esenciales de salud, sin costo alguno.

The Northeastern Illinois University Board of Trustees announces the selection of Dr. Katrina E. Bell-Jordan as the University’s eighth president. For the past year, Dr. Bell-Jordan has served as Interim President at NEIU, a public university that stands out in Chicago’s higher education landscape for its inclusion of full-time, transfer, non-traditional, graduate, and international students. Dr. Bell-Jordan’s new role will take effect August 1, 2024, and her appointment will be confirmed at an upcoming Special Meeting of the NEIU Board of Trustees. Her journey at Northeastern Illinois University began in 1997 when she joined as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre (CMT). She has since held various leadership roles, including serving as CMT Department Chair, Associate Dean in NEIU’s College of Arts and Sciences, and Interim Dean. She was appointed Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in March 2020 and took on the role of Interim President on July 1, 2023. During her time as Interim President, Dr. Bell-Jordan recruited several exceptional leaders to key positions to help situate the University for success, managed in a fiscally-responsible way, and implemented changes to retain and grow the NEIU student body and modernize the campus. Dr. Bell-Jordan earned a Ph.D. in Rhetorical Studies and Media Studies and a M.A. in Rhetorical Studies at the Ohio University School of Interpersonal Communication. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Bell-Jordan appreciates the support of her husband and son and enjoys travel and culinary experiences, vintage bookstores, trivia, and movies.

Photo Credit: Northeastern University

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and statewide partners will host the 14th annual College Changes Everything® (CCE) Conference: Community Health Thursday, July 18, 2024 from 8am – 4pm at the Tinley Park Convention Center. The state’s premier annual college access event will focus this year on the role community health plays in advancing educational equity for Illinois students and families. Diverse professionals and stakeholders will come together to learn and collaborate to support college access and success and career readiness. Running concurrently with the conference, ISAC will host a Financial Aid Application Completion Workshop from 7 am to 7 pm at the same location, where students and families can walk in and get free help completing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application). For more information about the conference and to view the agenda, visit  https://www.collegechangeseverything.org/events/2024-cce-conference-information.html. Use #CCE4me to join the conversation on social media. Students and families who are unable to attend the workshop can schedule a free virtual meeting with ISAC FAFSA experts at https://bit.ly/4birpF5. Students can also find a free Financial Aid Application Completion Workshop in their community, https://studentportal.isac.org/Events.

City Colleges of Chicago and Valparaiso University announce they are entering into a guaranteed admissions agreement to support students transferring to the University to earn a four-year degree. A ceremonial signing between the two institutions will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. at Harold Washington College on July 15, 2024. “I’m thrilled to be working alongside City Colleges of Chicago as we find new ways to help these brilliant students meet their academic goals,” said José D. Padilla, president of Valparaiso University.

To qualify for guaranteed admission, City Colleges of Chicago students must have at least a 2.5 GPA and complete an Associate in Arts, an Associate in General Studies, or an Associate in Applied Science. When meeting the criteria, students will be guaranteed admission to the University and receive a junior standing. Students must also maintain a 2.5 GPA to enter the program and remain eligible. The transfer agreement will also support students with the following:

• Early advising support from Valparaiso University

• Honors participation available for students with 3.5 GPA

• Scholarships: City Colleges Beacon Scholarship ($5,000 per year for 2 years 3.0 GPA and above); Transfer Merit Scholarship ($18,000-$25,000, starting at 2.8 GPA); Phi Theta Kappa ($4,000; cannot be combined with degree completion scholarship)

“Valparaiso University is a place where our students can uncover their passion and learn,” said Chancellor Juan Salgado, City Colleges of Chicago. “Class sizes are small so our students will get the individualized attention they need as well as receive a world class education. I’m thankful for this transfer agreement because it will save our students time and money, and help them soar.” To learn more about the opportunities and benefits that come with a Valpo education, visit valpo.edu. To learn more about City Colleges of Chicago visit ccc.edu or call 773-COLLEGE (773-265-5343).