Side by Side

The UChicago Network for College Success (NCS) values stories. Through the exchange of stories, we can gain a better understanding, learn something new, and strengthen connections. Additionally, literacy is a critical skill for brain development and learning. Young or old, you’re never the wrong age to appreciate a good book. 

In honor of yesterday’s World Book Day, we asked NCS staff to share their book recommendations. So here are some stories from NCS and why they are their top picks for a good read. 

The author of this blog, Rachel Castro, is the Development Associate with the UChicago Network for College Success. She supports grant writing and reporting initiatives.

As a Latinx child of immigrants, I noticed early on that school systems were built for and favored students whose parents knew how to navigate them.

Over the academic year, the Network for College Success (NCS) partners with educators, school leaders, and districts to build transformational high school experiences that prepare all students for academic, career, and community-based success after graduation.

The author of this blog, Kayla Brown, is the Development and Communications Manager with the Network for College Success (NCS). She is responsible for supporting fundraising activities and drafting informational and marketing materials. In her spare time, she enjoys reading historical fiction novels and writing poetry.

I joined the Network for College Success during a time of much heartache and stress. The COVID-19 pandemic hit communities hard, and the world was still reeling from witnessing the murder of George Floyd. As a Black woman, my heart was heavy.

Q&A with Freshman Success Coach, Lauren Perez Pietruszka

This past August, the Network for College Success hosted its Leading PLCs Training, a workshop designed for educators and high school leaders to foster PLCs in their schools for student success.

Professional Learning Communities, or PLCs, are school teams that connect regularly, share expertise, and work collaboratively to improve their practice and the academic experiences of students, particularly their school’s least-served students.

This past July, the Network for College Success (NCS) gathered 100+ high school educators and leaders in-person for the National Freshman Success Institute at the University of Chicago.

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This post concludes the 2-part series centered on the NCS roots of anti-racist leadership.

This is the first of a 2-part series.

We have now been living through the COVID pandemic for almost two years. All through this crisis, we have seen that students in our country are treated differently depending on their demographics.