Knowledge Center
"Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it."
From BOSWELL, Life of Johnson, April 18, 1775
Chicago Scholars is committed to sharing knowledge on a wide range of post-secondary topics with the aim of enhancing our community's understanding of the obstacles our scholars face on a daily basis, and what we can do to help them succeed. This section is devoted articles, research, and an occasional opinion - on and about scholars - including feedback directly from them. We hope this is one of the first places you search for up-to-date knowledge about the challenges and successes of first generation and under-sourced college bound youth. And, we encourage you to share your knowledge with us! Write to us at inquiries@chicagoscholars.org
OUR MISSION
Sharing What We Know - Why Investing in Talented College Kids Makes Good Business Sense
Chicago Scholars empowers academically ambitious students from virtually every public, private and parochial high school in Chicago and we help them match to good fit colleges, earn their college degrees and transition into careers. Why do we do this? There are two reasons. First, our Founders, Board and staff members are all passionately committed to developing the potential of the thousands of talented first generation, low-income and underserved college bound youth living in Chicago - most of whom live in high need neighborhoods. In short, the kids are amazing!
The second reason is that, as social entrepeneurs, we understand the value of a high quality, educated workforce. Sadly, Chicago has almost as many college drop-outs as college graduates. Believe it or not, Chicago ranks 58 of 100 top U.S. cities in terms of its population holding college degrees (Arlington, Virginia ranks #1). Yet, the number one driver of economic development is directly related to the number of college graduates. In other words, it makes good business sense to invest in these amazing kids.
Our scholars are cleaving proteins using nanotechnology to try and cure cancer, singing jazz at Daley Plaza, studying for law exams, making the rounds as doctors and nurses, serving as educators and making advances in green technology. Our students are accountants, consultants, bankers, engineers, investment managers, social workers, and poets. Chicago needs all of them to drive exciting economic, civic and cultural change for decades to come.
That is our mission. That is what we do everyday - build community, one scholar at a time.