Team Member Spotlight: Krystal Payne
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. This month, we are highlighting our Executive Director, Krystal Payne.
Team Member Spotlight: Herumakhi Mutefnout
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.
Team Member Spotlight: Sandra Ortigoza
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.
Team Member Spotlight: Jim Schwartz
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.
Team Member Spotlight: Eliza Moeller
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.
Team Member Spotlight: Kimberly Hinton
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. This month, we are highlighting Dr.
Team Member Spotlight: Sarah Howard
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.
Empowering Student Success: The Network for College Success (NCS) Journey
Transforming Education TogetherIn the field of education, the shared aspiration of fostering student success drives us all. One organization heavily involved in this work is the Network for College Success (NCS), founded by Dr. Melissa Roderick, Mary Ann Pitcher, and Sarah Duncan within the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice.
Team Member Spotlight: Adelric McCain
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.
Empowering Educators: Reflecting on this Summer's Transformative Learning Experiences
This summer marked a period of reflection, growth, and empowerment for educators and school leaders who engaged in our immersive professional learning offerings.
Maximizing Your Summer Break: Three Considerations for High School Educators and District Leaders
As high school educators and district leaders, it is crucial to approach the summer break with intentionality. This period presents a valuable opportunity to focus on personal growth, recharging, and preparing for the upcoming school year. By dedicating time to our own development and well-being, we can better serve our students and create transformative learning environments.
Team Member Spotlight: Jazmin Fermin
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.
Elevate in Action: Empowering Students and Teachers for Transformational Learning
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.
Committing to Anti-Racist Learning Environments
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.
Elevating Student Success: NCS Leads Transformative Sessions at Carnegie Summit for School Improvement
Leaders from the UChicago Network for College Success (NCS) recently attended the Carnegie Summit on Improvement in Education.
Six NCS Staff Picks to Celebrate World Book Day
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.
Cultivating Connections: Resources to Foster Developmental Relationships in High School
As young people transition to high school, building strong relationships with adults and peers is critically important. Research shows that students who experience a strong web of Developmental Relationships (DR) in their families, classrooms, youth programs, and faith communities are likelier to thrive.
Centering Equity in Grading: A Conversation on Equitable Grading Practices in Chicago Public Schools
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.
“It’s Iron Sharpening. It’s Capacity Building”
Reflections from the conclusion of the 2022–23 National Freshman Success Institute Throughout the National Freshman Success Institute (NFSI), the UChicago Network for College Success (NCS) works with administrators, teachers, counselors, and other school staff to build knowledge and skills and shift perspectives that will lead to greater student success, particularly for 9th-graders. Last month, over 100 participants completed the Institute, culminating in a final in-person convening at the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and
3 Things Black Principals of Chicago Want You To Know
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. My maternal grandfather was a principal serving St. Louis public schools for decades. He was well known for his authoritative persona and passion for Black children succeeding in school.
Six Stories of Dreaming Big with Students
NCS Celebrates National School Counseling Week Here at the UChicago Network for College Success, we partner 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. It involves deep self-reflection and a continued commitment to building equity.
Expanding 9th-Grade Possibilities to Combat the 3rd Quarter Slump
Over a given school year, the Freshman Success Improvement Community (FSIC) of the Network for College Success (NCS) has supported freshman success teams in helping their high school students achieve high GPAs and On-Track rates.
19 of our Favorite Moments from the School Year (so far)
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.
My experience at NCS’s Equity-Based Leadership workshop
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.
Six Chicago High Schools Share Approaches to Freshman Success at the National Freshman Success Institute (NFSI)
“Being a part of this community has allowed me to candidly share and exchange ideas and motivated me to be a better education professional that can impact student success.” This October, participants of the 2022–23 National Freshman Success Institute (NFSI) reconvened, and, over the span of two days, they delved deeper into Freshman Success work by visiting six Chicago high schools within the Network for College Success (NCS)
From Safe Spaces to Necessary Spaces
Network for College Success (NCS) Celebrates 15+ YearsOn September 22, 2022, NCS welcomed Chicago-based partners, schools, supporters, and friends to celebrate the organization’s collective impact over the past 15 years and counting.
Leading Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to Center Young People
Q&A with Freshman Success Coach, Lauren Perez PietruszkaThis 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.
With Freshman Success, NCS starts at the Why
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. Image
Nourishing the Four Roots of Anti-racist Leadership: Part Two
This post concludes the 2-part series centered on the NCS roots of anti-racist leadership.
Grading in an Ongoing Pandemic
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.