A MESSAGE FROM the Executive Director | | |
Dear Alumni Family,
As we prepare to say goodbye to summer, we reflect on the first year of our newly reorganized Chicago State Alumni Association—and its success is thanks to you.
This year, we’ve stepped into a new era of alumni engagement. From record-level participation in legislative advocacy—helping secure a state budget that supports higher education—to a successful return of our spring Alumni Breakfast and a light reentry into Homecoming festivities, your involvement has made a difference. We’ve also laid the groundwork for new alumni benefits and expanded programming, with more to come.
Thanks to this momentum, we’re heading into a busy and exciting fall. Our alumni will play a key role in several new campus initiatives.
Join us in the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday August 9th and help represent CSU with pride. We're also launching our first ever Alumni Peer Mentoring program, introduce alumni to our Cougar Coaches at various events across Chicagoland, and planning is already underway for Homecoming: September 28 - October 4. Keep an eye out for more details soon.
Don't miss new ways to stay connected—whether joining the alumni association, volunteering, attending an event, or by exploring our expanding list of alumni benefits.
Let's continue to show the strength of our CSU community—because we are always stronger, together.
Sincerely,
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Melanie Sillas
Executive Director
Chicago State Foundation
| | | Challenging all Greek Alumni | | |
DETERMINED to break barriers. DETERMINED to lead change. DETERMINED to make a difference.
We want our alumni to join us for the 6th annual 1stGEN Scholarship Gala: Determined, where first-generation scholars showcase their unwavering drive to reshape tomorrow. Together, let's fuel their unstoppable momentum and champion their next chapter of achievement.
Your presence will help transform determination into destiny.
| | Celebrating Dr. Devi Potluri's Legacy of Learning | | Dr. Devi Potluri with Dr. Joyce Gana, Chair of the Biological Sciences Department, and Max Kuecker, Director of Major Gits in the Chicago State Foundation. | | |
After 23 years of dedicated service to Chicago State University, Dr. Devi Potluri is retiring this summer—but his commitment to students and academic excellence will continue for years to come.
Though his career concluded as Dean of the Graduate College, Dr. Potluri’s journey at CSU began in the Department of Biological Sciences, where he served as a professor and later as department chair. In his final role, he oversaw not only graduate programs but also the Office of Global Engagement, which supports our international students and study abroad initiatives.
Throughout his time at CSU, Dr. Potluri taught and mentored thousands of students, leaving an indelible mark on their lives. Wanting to ensure his legacy lived on, he established a scholarship fund through the Chicago State Foundation.
This newly created fund will award an annual scholarship to the top student in the Biological Sciences Department—for the next 20 years.
Thank you, Dr. Potluri, for your decades of leadership, generosity, and unwavering dedication to our students and community. Your impact will continue to inspire future generations.
Click here to find out how you can leave a legacy as lasting as Dr. Potluri.
| | New CSU Metra Stop Underway | | Breaking ground above includes CSU President Z Scott, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, CSU Trustee Chair Andrea Zopp, Metra CEO Jim Derwinski, and other top leadership from Metra, CSU, Chicago, and John Burns Construction. | | |
Metra officially broke ground this summer on a $56 million project to rehabilitate and expand the 95th St./Chicago State University Station on the Metra Electric Line. The project will improve accessibility and strengthen the station’s connection to CSU, with completion expected in late 2027.
“This is a chance to grow our partnership with Chicago State and create a welcoming gateway to both the university and our system,” said Metra CEO Jim Derwinski, thanking the federal, state, and local leaders who supported the effort.
CSU President Z Scott called the project “an exciting milestone for both Chicago State and the Southeast Side,” adding, “Equitable transit access has been a priority since the start of my presidency, and this groundbreaking reflects years of dedicated work.”
Senator Tammy Duckworth, a co-sponsor of the federal All Stations Accessibility Program helping to fund the project, emphasized its broader impact: “All Chicagoans deserve accessible transit. I’m proud to help secure federal support for this vital South Side investment.”
The new station is expected to be completed in late 2027.
Read the full story here.
| | CSU Names Kamille Jones as Head Volleybal Coach | | |
Chicago State's Department of Athletics is proud to announce the hiring of Kamille Jones as the new head coach of the women’s volleyball program.
Jones joins CSU from the University of Illinois Springfield, where she led the Prairie Stars from 2021 to 2025. She inherited a three-win team and, in just a few seasons, transformed it into a competitive force—finishing last season with an 18-10 overall record and placing fifth in the GLVC (8-5), earning a spot in the conference tournament.
Before her tenure at UIS, Jones served as an assistant coach at the University of South Florida.
“I am honored to come aboard at Chicago State and would like to thank Dr. Scott and Dr. Carroll for entrusting me with this opportunity,” said Jones. “I felt extremely welcomed and inspired by everyone in the athletics department, and I’m encouraged by the team’s motivation to get started right away.”
Welcome Coach Jones! Read the full story here.
| | CSU Applauds Passage of FY2026 Illinois State Budget Supporting Higher Education | |
Chicago State University (CSU) commends Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly for their continued commitment to public higher education through the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget.
The approved budget reflects the state’s sustained investment in academic institutions and student success, including:
- A 1% increase in operational funding for Chicago State University, totaling an additional $401,300. The legislation also authorizes a potential increase of up to 2% based on future state revenue availability.
- $721 million in funding for Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants, representing a $10 million increase from last year, ensuring greater access to higher education for students across Illinois.
- $7 million in funding for the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act, maintaining support for mental health initiatives at four-year institutions, including CSU.
“Increased investment in Illinois’ students today ensures our state’s competitiveness and economic strength in the years to come,” said President Zaldwaynaka (“Z”) Scott, JD. “We are deeply grateful to Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly for their leadership and vision. This budget is especially critical for CSU, as we navigate the impact of recent federal funding policy decisions.”
President Scott emphasized that state funding plays a vital role in enabling the university to fulfill its mission of providing access, equity, and excellence in education—particularly for historically underserved communities.
Chicago State University remains committed to advancing student achievement, fostering innovation, and contributing to the growth and well-being of Illinois. Story here.
| CSU Scholars Shine in Leo Burnett 's Pencil Project | |
Above, 2024-2025 Leo Burnett Pencil Project students present their final projects
and earn their scholarships.
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A dynamic partnership with Leo Chicago, Arc Worldwide, and Spark Foundry, the Pencil Project has evolved into a 6-credit course at CSU, giving students hands-on experience in advertising—from strategy and concept development to final campaign execution.
This year, students examined the role of advertising by exploring the rejuvenation of a beloved American cereal brand and were challenged to create a professional pitch deck for a major client campaign aimed at connecting with today’s modern families.
Four standout CSU students were awarded a combined total of $20,000 in scholarships to support their continued creative development, reflecting the program’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of diverse creative leaders.
We’re grateful for their continued partnership and investment in building inclusive pathways to opportunity.
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FOLLOW THE CSAA ON SOCIAL MEDIA
To stay in the know, be sure we have your updated email information here, and follow our CSAA accounts on social media below.
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Join the CSAA today and be in the know on upcoming alumni opportunities, including our new mentoring program.
We're building our mentor base now, so sign up to be a mentor today. We will invite young alumni and graduating seniors to become mentees this fall.
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Alumni can also take advantage of some great alumni benefits, including several discount programs....
- NEW Campus Child Care Center Discount
- Local and national discount program
- Homebuyer Assistance program
- Health club membership at ChiTown Mecca Fitness
- CSU's Options Program
| | Don't miss an opportunity to use your alumni discount on the CSU Options Program and grow your skills or simply learn new ones. See the program here, and register today. | | Bud Billiken registration ends August 1st at 5pm. | | The Chicago State Alumni Association is operated out of the Chicago State Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising and engagement office of Chicago State University and is located on CSU's campus. | | | | |
