News and Notes
Podcast
First Up: Brought to You by ISAC
Featured
Calling All First Generation Scholars!
– Encourage Illinois high school students who will be the first person in their family to earn a college degree to join the First Generation Scholars Network (FGSN) from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). The goal of FGSN is to connect first generation college students with one another so they can support each other through this network, receive additional support year-round from ISAC’s First Generation Scholars Network mentors, combat summer melt, and help make their transition to college a whole lot easier—and successful. FGSN allows ISAC to extend our college going work to help students develop a sense of belonging as they move from high school to their respective campuses in the fall. This sense of belonging can improve their persistence through the first term and first year of college. Students can go to the FGSN webpage to join and learn more, and please share information about the FGSN with colleagues at your organization and with others in your personal and professional networks. If you want to partner with the FGSN, please email ISAC.FirstGEN@illinois.edu.
ISACorps Recruitment
– Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is looking for recent college graduates who are passionate about public service and giving back to the community to join the Illinois Student Assistance Corps (ISACorps). Priority hiring areas are Peoria, Decatur and the Shawnee Community College district: If you know any recent college graduates interested in a public service career helping the next generation on their path to higher education, please share this website for them to learn more: www.isac.org/JointheISACorps.
Upcoming Events
Illinois Education and Career Success Network Annual Conference
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Register now for the Success Network's 12th annual conference, themed Building the Future We Want: Increasing Equitable Postsecondary Attainment, at the I Hotel & Illinois Conference Center in Champaign, Illinois. The conference is an engaging learning opportunity designed for leaders from secondary and postsecondary education, local and state government, community-based organizations, policy advocates, grant makers, employers, and other stakeholders interested in equitably increasing postsecondary attainment in Illinois.
Register now...
Illinois Alliance for Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships 2025 Dual Credit Summit
.png)
Friday, March 21, 2025
The 2025 ILACEP Dual Credit Summit will be simultaneously held in a northern and southern location to make it accessible to as many educators across Illinois as possible. This year’s Summit will be held on Friday, March 21 at both Prairie State College and Vienna High School.
So many great strategies are being implemented to support student success with dual credit across Illinois from the classroom to regional systems. Be excited to learn from and with educators from both school districts and postsecondary institutions!
Learn more and register today.
Upcoming NCAN webinars:
FAFSA Follow-Up (uAspire) Feb 5, 2pm ET
Financial Aid Offer Review (uAspire) Mar 11, 2pm ET
ISAC Outreach Events
Search for ISAC outreach events closest to you or schedule an event for your school or organization.
FAN’s accessible and dynamic events create common ground and provide the latest insights on education, psychology, social change, relationships, and well-being. Family Action Network (FAN) is a 501(c)(3) organization that curates a high-quality speaker series. All FAN programs are free and open to the public.
ISAC Professional Development Webinars
ISAC’s Division of Capacity Development and Training offers professional development opportunities throughout Illinois for counselors, mentors, college-access professionals, and community partners who are assisting students with the college-going and financial aid process.