Side by Side

We would not be able to fulfill our mission without our staff, a group of professionals who intentionally work across difference, are experts in their field, and care deeply about young people and their postsecondary journeys. 

Each month, we’ll highlight a member of our team by “passing the mic” to hear directly from them about their work and purpose.

The UChicago Network for College Success (NCS) would not be able to fulfill our mission without our brilliant team members. Our staff intentionally works across difference, are experts in their field, and care deeply about young people and their postsecondary journeys. 

Each month, we'll highlight a member of our team by passing the mic to our staff and hearing directly from them about their work and purpose.

In the landscape of Chicago Public Schools (CPS), a powerful collaboration between the UChicago Network for College Success (NCS) and CPS is evolving how classrooms operate.

Staff Reflect on NCS's Equity Stance and its Impact

The UChicago Network for College Success (NCS) believes in the importance of equity work in schools so that adults create safe, anti-racist learning environments for their students. However, to collaborate with educators in this work, we must lead by example. Each NCS staff member writes their own equity stance in which they outline their identity and values and ultimately the purpose of their work.

Leaders from the UChicago Network for College Success (NCS) recently attended the Carnegie Summit on Improvement in Education.

(May 17, 2023)—In a recent episode of the Gates Foundation's "Make Me Care About" podcast, Krystal Payne, Co-Executive Director at the UChicago Network for College Success (NCS), sheds light on the pivotal role ninth grade plays in shaping a student's educational and career trajectory.