Chicago State University

10/21/2026

President Scott will take the stage on Oct. 28 at the Executives’ Club of Chicago for The State of Higher Education. She will join a panel discussing what’s at stake for higher education, including access, affordability, global competitiveness, and how colleges and universities can work efficiently with industry leaders to prepare the workforce of the future. The discussion will explore what it means for business, for cities like Chicago, and for the country’s ability to attract top talent.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 AM (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.)
Location: Roosevelt University, Ganz Hall, 430 S. Michigan Ave.

President Scott will join Dr. Ali Malekzadeh (Roosevelt University), Dr. Roderick McDavis (AGB Search), and Chancellor Juan Salgado (City Colleges of Chicago), with Maria Doughty of The Chicago Network moderating.

Register for the panel discussion by visiting the website: https://www.executivesclub.org/events/the-state-of-higher-education/

10/16/2026

In honor of American Archives Month, we’re digging into the CSU Archives to spotlight some of the incredible items in our collection. We’re starting where so many journeys begin: the Gwendolyn Brooks Library.

Twenty years ago, on October 6, 2006, the doors of the Gwendolyn Brooks Library opened for the first time.

Since then, these walls have witnessed late-night study sessions, first discoveries, friendships formed, celebrations, and countless moments of learning - A place of discovery. A place of connection. A place of history. A place of possibility.

Here’s to the next 20!

What’s your favorite memory of the Gwendolyn Brooks Library? Share it in the comments!

*Photo Credits: Brent Jones / Courtesy of Chicago State University Archives & Special Collections*

10/15/2026

Last week, David Kirshenbaum, founder of MeadeCo LLC, a TIGER 21 chair, and a veteran of law, real estate, venture capital, and private equity, led his Networking, Business Development & Storytelling seminar for CSU undergraduate and MBA students.

Our students left with practical career advice and tools to build relationships that last. At CSU, bringing industry leaders to campus is how we connect classroom learning to career opportunities for our students.

Thank you, David, for sharing your time and insights! And thank you to Dean Derrick Collins for making it happen.

10/14/2026

CSU's Fall 2026 Career Fair was a huge success!

Nearly 300 students, 39 employer partners, and one campus community came together to present opportunities for our students.

Students explored careers, built resumes, got professional headshots, and made real connections with employers. Thank you to our faculty, staff, academic leaders, and Athletics Department for showing up for student success. Career readiness is everyone's responsibility, and Cougar Nation delivered!

To our 39 employer partners: thank you for investing your time and expertise in our students.

To our students: keep building relationships and owning your future. We're continuing to connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities.

10/13/2026

We’re to announce that the Black McDonald's Operators Association of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (BMOA) 2026 Golf Outing raised $40,000 in support of Chicago State University students and our mission to expand access to higher education. These funds will be advanced towards scholarships for first-generation and will fund BMOA-branded scholarships to be awarded at the Spring 2027 Honors Convocation.

BMOA’s continued partnership exemplifies the power of community collaboration in creating meaningful opportunities and supporting CSU students as they pursue their academic and career goals.

10/12/2026

The word is spreading, Cougar Nation!

Citizen News is spotlighting how CSU is preparing students for Illinois’ growing quantum industry, from our new CQuEST center to partnerships with IBM and the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park.

Our students are building what’s next and we're here for it!

Read the full story in the Citizen News: https://citizennewspapergroup.com/news/2026/oct/07/chicago-state-university-prepares-students-for-illinois-quantum-workforce/

10/09/2026

Senior Criminal Justice major, Honors College student, RISE alum, and President of OLAS, Alyssa Perea, has been named a Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Voces Nuevas Ambassador!

This national honor recognizes student leaders from HACU-member institutions across the U.S. and Puerto Rico who champion Hispanic success in higher education.

As an Ambassador, Alyssa will represent CSU within the HACU network, advocate for Hispanic and Latino students, and build her own leadership and advocacy skills.

Alyssa leads, serves, and shows up for her community and we're proud to see her represent Chicago State University and La C.A.S.A. on a national stage.

Congratulations, Alyssa!

10/08/2026

Thank you to Congressman Robin Kelly for hosting President Scott and President Patricia Ramsey of Medgar Evers College, CUNY for a powerful discussion on the impact Predominantly Black Institutions during the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference.

The event was opened by Congressman Danny K. Davis who championed the creation of the PBI designation and graduated from CSU. Congressman Davis spoke about the transformative impact attending a PBI had on his family.

This panel was moderated by Dr. Kesha Moore of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and centered on the wellness and belonging of students attending PBIs. The conversation highlighted the importance of unique student support, strategic partnerships, and policies that strengthen opportunities for our students and regions.

Together, we are driving policy and progress to uplift students and strengthen PBIs across the nation.

10/07/2026

CBS Chicago stopped by our Chicago State campus to spotlight how the university is preparing students for the quantum era.

CSU is home to two pioneering workforce education programs designed to prepare students for leadership in the fastest-growing technology sectors of the global economy: the Quantum Information Science & Engineering (QISE) Minor and Certificate and the Semiconductor Technology and Manufacturing Certificate. These programs are the first Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE)-approved quantum credential offered by a public university in Illinois, and our students are ready to build what's next.

Hear from President Z. Scott, Dr. Valerie Goss, Director of CSU Quantum Education, Science, and Technology Center (CQuest), and student Nmari Ward.

See how CSU is preparing students for the quantum workforce: https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/chicago-state-university-quantum-program/

10/06/2026

Recently, institutions across the country joined the National Coalition of Predominantly Black Institutions fourth annual PBI Fly In, in Washington D.C. The Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) Coalition met with members of Congress, corporate partners, and policy groups to highlight PBIs’ significant contribution to local economies.

PBIs drive regional economies, with 67 PBIs educating more than 308,000 students across 19 states, preparing the next generation of professionals and community leaders.

The Coalition not only met with congressional members and the PBI Congressional Caucus but also held a PBI Leaders' Summit. Attendees learned about the future of work in an AI-driven economy with executives from Northern Trust, McDonald's, Amazon.com, and United Airlines; grant-making trends with Thurgood Marshall’s Dr. N. Joyce Payne Research Center; policy updates from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities; and collaboration across Minority-Serving Institutions with speakers from Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

The following institutions joined:

Medgar Evers College, CUNY
Kennedy-King College
Olive-Harvey College
Prairie State College
Prince George's Community College
The University of Baltimore

Thank you to everyone who lifted up PBIs impact in driving economic mobility.

10/05/2026

The future of quantum is being built right here on Chicago's Southeast Side, and it starts at CSU.

The Chicago Tribune stopped by our Quantum Education, Science & Technology Center to meet the students and faculty making it happen, including freshmen John and James Kountz, who are already doing hands-on research in the lab.

Chicago State, Illinois's only four-year Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) is opening doors to a quantum workforce that looks like our community.

Read the full story on CSU driving the quantum's workforce:

As quantum’s presence grows on the southeast side, Chicago State University students eye future careers

10/02/2026

Green and white took over the Quad on Spirit Day 2026! Students, faculty, and staff came together for music, a free lunch, and Cougar pride.

Thank you to everyone who joined the celebration.

10/01/2026

CSU grew our Learning Assistants (LA) program grew by 50% this semester, thanks to philanthropic investment! LAs are peer instructors who work alongside faculty to create active learning spaces and support student success.

This fall, 34 student LAs from 4 colleges are supporting their peers across 15 subject areas, our largest and most discipline-diverse cohort in 15 years. This strategy has a big impact. CSU has found a 20% increase in persistence for students in courses supported by an LA.

Thank you, Vivo Foundation and Schreiber, for investing in student success at Chicago State University.

09/30/2026

Cougar Nation Partner Spotlight: Crowe LLP

This month, we are featuring one of CSU's newest partners, Crowe LLP who's already leaving their mark on campus.

Crowe helped make move-in day unforgettable for CSU students at The Flats, providing move-in kits that made sure our Cougars felt supported and celebrated from their very first day on campus.

Their presence didn't stop there when Crowe's logo lit up the jumbotron at CSU's first-ever football game, in front of thousands of Cougars, students, staff, faculty, alumni and their families.

From move-in day to game day, Crowe is already showing up for our students.

Welcome to Cougar Nation, Crowe — we're excited for what's ahead.

09/24/2026

Advocate Health Care is now the official healthcare partner of Chicago State University Athletics!

Crain's Chicago Business recently highlighted the partnership as Advocate expands its sports medicine footprint across the Chicago area. We're grateful to Advocate for investing in our student-athletes and in the CSU community.

Through the partnership, Advocate Health Care will provide comprehensive health care and sports medicine support for CSU student-athletes, including athletic training, team physician coverage, physical therapy, orthopedic care, primary care, sports psychology, sports nutrition and game-day sideline coverage. Advocate Health Care’s logo is also featured on every CSU game-day jersey across all sports.

Read about how Advocate and Chicago State Athletics will support our students: https://www.chicagobusiness.com/health-care/ccb-advocate-endeavor-chicago-state-sports-20260825/

09/18/2026

CSU's School of Pharmacy welcomed the Pharm.D. Class of 2030 at our annual White Coat Ceremony, honoring the profession and the responsibilities that come with it.

The white coat is more than a uniform. It's a promise: to serve patients with skill, to show up for our communities with care, and to carry the standard of professionalism every day of the journey ahead.

Making the day even more meaningful, Dr. Keane Soluade, CSU alum and 2015 graduate of our School of Pharmacy returned to his alma mater as keynote speaker, proof of exactly where this road can lead.

Thank you to Dr. Charisse Johnson, Executive Associate Dean, for serving as Master of Ceremonies; to President Scott and Provost Sonja Feist-Price for their welcoming remarks; to Dr. Trishia Shaw for speaking on the significance of the white coat; to Dr. Obayed Raihan and Dr. Darilyn McClain for the ceremonial coating; to Dr. Qasmieh for leading the Pledge of Professionalism and to Dr. LeRoy Jones II, Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, for closing us out.

Class of 2030 — the coat fits. Now go earn it.