Category: Center of Excellence
-
Shlesha Patel
Wright College alumna Shlesha Patel has her sights set on a four-year degree in mechanical engineering. Thanks to a scholarship, fellowship, and more, she’s getting closer and closer to achieving that goal. Shlesha was selected from a robust group of applicants as the Fall 2022 TCP-CTA Transfer Scholarship winner, which is administered by the City…
-
Cate Huguelet
Cate Huguelet, Kennedy-King College’s 2023 salutatorian, had already earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees before deciding to return to school and enroll at the Washburne Culinary & Hospitality Institute. She had been working as a freelance writer since 2012, covering food and travel for publications like Chicago Magazine, Lonely Planet, New York Magazine, and The…
-
Esmeralda Cirilo
Esmeralda Cirilo, Harold Washington College’s 2023 salutatorian, grew up in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood and attended Community Links High School. As the daughter of two hardworking immigrants, she took their values of determination and resilience to heart and dedicated herself to excelling in school. She graduated in 2020 as her high school’s valedictorian. Esmeralda then…
-
Veronica Sek
The first few weeks at a job are challenging—you’re adjusting to a new role, new coworkers, and a new company culture. On top of that, Malcolm X College Senior Director of Health Sciences Veronica Sek’s first day fell on the day the State of Illinois enacted a stay-at-home order due to COVID-19. She had no…
-
Chef Gabriel Alvarez
Chef Gabriel Alvarez started his college journey at City Colleges of Chicago—something that helps him relate to his students at Kennedy-King College’s Washburne Culinary & Hospitality Institute. “I get to welcome students in that I see a little of me in them,” he said. Chef Alvarez didn’t know what he wanted to do when he…
-
Stephanie Meeks
Stephanie Meeks came to Olive-Harvey College in September of 2020 after graduating from Carver Military Academy High School. Her high school advisor told her about the Star Scholarship, which encouraged Stephanie to start her college journey at City Colleges of Chicago, where she would be able to earn her associate degree at no cost. Learning…
-
Ryan Morgia
Ryan Morgia moved to the United States from the Philippines with his wife and child in 2019. Before the move, Ryan worked in the oil manufacturing industry as the factory manager of an engineering firm he developed. He was a licensed professional mechanical engineer in his home country and had earned his bachelor’s degree in…
-
Sergio Alvarado
Sergio Alvarado was so committed to furthering his education at Daley College, he moved from Kansas to take courses there. The Chicago native has worked in the trades since 2011. He got his start in heating and air conditioning before transitioning to the industrial manufacturing industry, where he continues to work today. “I think the…
-
Mariela Gallegos
Mariela Gallegos has completed the basic nursing assistant (BNA) certificate at Malcolm X College, she’s a certified nursing assistant (CNA), and she already has a number of college courses and credits under her belt. On top of all that, she also just graduated high school. Mariela was able to find early success through the Early…
-
Michael Turner
Malcolm X College student Michael Turner already has an impressive resume. He’s a certified emergency medical technician (EMT) and a member of the Chicago Fire Department (CFD). Still, Michael isn’t done striving for greatness. Even as he’s currently deployed overseas, he’s preparing to continue his education by completing the Fire Science Operations and Fire Science…