A MESSAGE FROM the Executive Director | | |
Dear CSU Alumni Family,
This spring, more than 400 graduates joined our growing alumni community as the Class of 2025 and proudly walked across the stage. With their achievements, our alumni network now spans over 40,000 strong—across all 50 states and 28 countries worldwide.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
As we close another successful fiscal year, I want to thank you—our alumni—for the incredible support you’ve shown. You've helped spark new partnerships, introduced us to new funders, and created new ways for alumni to stay connected.
From launching scholarship funds and dedicating memorial benches on campus, to showing up at events and advocating for CSU in Springfield, your Cougar pride has been the foundation of our momentum. It’s that continued engagement that fuels what’s next.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to launch a peer mentoring program this fall, host events to celebrate and connect alumni, and share even more alumni stories across our growing network. Watch for more later this summer and fall as these plans begin to take shape.
Whether it's by joining the alumni association, signing up to volunteer, attending upcoming alumni events, or by exploring our expanding alumni benefits, we invite you to take part in this exciting new chapter.
Let's never forget that we are always stronger, together.
With Appreciation,
| | |
Melanie Sillas
Executive Director
Chicago State Foundation
| | | Cunningham Memorial Bench and Scholarship | | Pictured on Dr. Cunningham's memorial bench are her daughter Michelle, son Brian, and her sister DeLois. | | |
Brenda Lacey Cunningham '82, '03 was a passionate and caring educator who began a lifelong journey of learning at Chicago State University that spanned decades. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education in 1982, and then her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration in 2003. She was working her doctoral degree in education when she passed away in 2023.
She began her career teaching at St. Margaret of Scotland School in the city’s Morgan Park neighborhood, and went on to wonderfully impact the lives of thousands of students over the years since; a feat celebrated by the Golden Apple Foundation which named her a finalist in 2006. After serving over thirty years in education, Mrs. Cunningham retired as a principal with Chicago Public Schools in 2014.
At CSU's recent 2025 Commencement Ceremony, Mrs. Cunningham was posthumously honored with a Doctorate Degree in Education, officially making her Dr. Brenda Lacey Cunningham '82, '03, '25.
In commemoration of Dr. Cunningham's 70th birthday and to honor her legacy of service and passion for learning, her family dedicated a bench outside of the College of Education building on campus, and established a memorial scholarship in her name to support current and future CSU students who seek degrees in education.
You can give to the Brenda Lacey Cunningham Memorial Scholarship here. To learn more about how you can honor a loved one on campus, click here.
| | Congratulations to the Class of 2025 | | |
Last month, CSU hosted its 372nd Commencement Ceremony. Nearly 400 graduates crossed the stage on Thursday, May 15, 2025, adding to the nearly 40,000 CSU alumni worldwide.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025 and welcome to the community of CSU alumni!
This year's commencement ceremony honored three important people with honorary doctoral degrees;
Karen Freeman-Wilson is the President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League; she was the first Black woman elected mayor in the state of Indiana, serving her hometown of Gary from 2012 to 2019.
Christine Houston '17, is a proud CSU alumna and an acclaimed playwright, television writer, and former CSU professor who is recognized for her groundbreaking work in storytelling and media. A Chicago native, Houston is the creator of the hit 1980s sitcom 227, and writer on The Jeffersons and Punky Brewster.
James Reynolds, Jr., Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Loop Capital, is recognized for his visionary leadership in finance and his longstanding commitment to economic equity.
Read more about these special speakers here.
| | Meet the New Coaches at Chicago State | | |
Chicago State Names Bobby Rome II First Head Football Coach. Coach Rome was nominated for HBCU Coach of the Year in 2024, and now makes history as the first-ever head football coach of Chicago State University, leading the school’s efforts to bring NCAA Division I Football to Chicago.
Rome brings with him a record of high achievement and performance after transforming the program at Florida Memorial University, leading the team to its first winning season in modern history. Read more about Coach Rome here.
| | New Alumni Benefit at the Dr. David Kanis Child Development Center | |
CSU's Dr. David Kanis Child Development Center is now licensed to welcome children starting at age 2, and has agreed to a NEW ALUMNI BENEFIT of 10-15% for active Chicago State Alumni Association (CSAA) Members.
Our high-quality Pre-K program provides a warm, nurturing environment where young learners thrive through hands-on activities that build early literacy, school readiness, and a lifelong love of learning. With caring, experienced staff and nutritious meals served daily, your child will be supported every step of the way.
Tuition support is available for qualifying families through the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program and the CCAMPIS Grant for CSU students.
Secure your child’s spot today by filling out this form.
To become a CSAA Member, click here. For the new alumni discount, membership will be verified before your child begins at the center.
| | Alumni Celebrate at the 2025 Alumni Breakfast | Pictured are some of the CSAA Board in attendance. Front row are three of the five award winners; CJ Powell, Ron Lynch and Errika Williams. Click here for a complete list of the CSAA Board of Advisors. | |
Resuming an old tradition that has been missed, the Chicago State Alumni Association recently hosted the 2025 Alumni Breakfast, complete with remarks by President Z Scott, VP and Director of Athletics Dr. Monique Carroll, our new Men's Basketball Coach Landon Bussie, and CSAA leaders CJ Powell and Errika Williams.
The CSAA paid special tribute to the new CSAA leadership with an Alumni Service Award, recognizing their dedicated service to CSU. Honorees are CSAA Chair CJ Powell, and Vice Chairs Ron Lynch, Errika Williams, Dr. Richard Glass, and Paris Griffin. Thank you for your incredible dedication to this new day for alumni engagement at CSU. Together, we are planning great things for the upcoming academic year.
To see pictures from this year's event, visit our Instagram post here, or our Facebook post here.
| | Foundation Executive Director Named Notable Leader in Philanthropy 2025 | | |
Chicago State Foundation Executive Director, Melanie Sillas, has been named one of this year's Crain's Chicago Business Notable Leaders in Philanthropy. Sillas manages a team of five and a $3.6 million budget, overseeing all private fundraising for Chicago State University. She leads board development, branding and strategy to advance CSU’s mission and long-term growth. Under her leadership, the foundation’s 1stGEN Scholarship Gala set records in 2024 with 500 guests, 18 new sponsors and more than $700,000 raised. She also guided the relaunch of the Chicago State Alumni Association to deepen alumni engagement. Outside of the Foundation, Sillas is also board secretary for Ladies of Virtue and is a Leadership Greater Chicago fellow and Chicago Urban League IMPACT alumna. See complete list of honorees here (Crain's subscription required)
Congratulations, Melanie!
| | Athletic Director Dr. Monique Carroll Named Athletics Professional of the Year | | |
Chicago State University Vice President & Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Dr. Monique Carroll, was recently named "Athletics Professional of the Year" at the 2025 Black Student-Athlete Summit.
This honor recognizes Dr. Carroll’s visionary leadership and her deep commitment to student-athlete development, equity in athletics, and fostering Black excellence in collegiate sports.
Dr. Carroll continues to lead with purpose and passion, inspiring the next generation of leaders in athletics. Her impact at CSU and beyond is both lasting and profound.
Congratulations, Dr. Carroll!
| | |
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.
| | Join the CSAA today and be in the know on upcoming alumni opportunities including a mentoring program we'll launch later this year. | | |
Alumni can also take advantage of some great alumni benefits, including several discount programs....
- NEW CSAA Member discount to the CSU Child Care Center
- Coming soon: NEW member discount for Cougar Athletics Season Tickets (details coming soon)
- Local and national discount program
- Homebuyer Assistance program
- Health club membership at ChiTown Mecca Fitness
- CSU's Options Program
- Annual parking pass at CSU
| | CSU Options Program Summer Schedule | | CSU's Options Program summer schedule is out. Don't miss an opportunity to use your alumni discount on this program and grow your skills or simply learn new ones. See the program here, and register today. | | 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. | | | | |
