Chicago State University

CSU opened its doors to a newly revitalized Veterans Resource Center!

The energy in the room was outstanding, with key partners including representatives from the Chicago Vet Center, Jesse Brown VA, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War, Illinois Joining Forces, and the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs all came out to show their support, joined by CSU faculty, staff, and student allies who believe in this community.

This was more than just a soft opening for our Veterans. The Veterans Resource Center at CSU is committed to making sure every student who has served or comes from a family that has served feels seen, supported, and at home here on campus.

Happy Pride Month! At CSU, we believe everyone deserves to learn, grow, and thrive as their full, authentic self.

This month and every month, we celebrate our LGBTQ+ Cougars and stand for a campus where all are welcomed and valued.

Congratulations to the newest graduates of the Southside Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program at CSU!

Hosted by CSU’s Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, this intensive eight-week program empowers entrepreneurs with the tools needed to grow and sustain successful businesses from marketing and finance to credit, succession planning, and beyond.

This impactful initiative is made possible through the generous support of CIBC Bank.

We are proud to celebrate the dedication, innovation, and hard work of this outstanding cohort as they continue building stronger businesses and stronger communities across the South Side and beyond.

The next cohort begins September 15, 2026—Register Now!

At CSU’s 373rd Commencement Ceremony, we were proud to honor Karen Hunter with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to journalism, media, education, and social impact.

A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, bestselling author, publisher, professor, and host of The Karen Hunter Show on SiriusXM, Ms. Hunter has spent her career telling the truth, holding power accountable, and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard. As a trailblazer in media and a champion for Black communities, she has used her platform to inspire meaningful dialogue and action-oriented change.

Her journey reflected this year’s commencement theme of power, purpose, and possibility — reminding the Class of 2026 that their voices matter and that leadership begins with courage, authenticity, and a commitment to uplifting others. Through storytelling, advocacy, and determination, Karen Hunter continues to demonstrate the power of using your voice to create a lasting impact.

Congratulations, Karen Hunter, on this well-deserved honor, and thank you for inspiring the next generation of storytellers, leaders, and changemakers.

At CSU’s 373rd Commencement Ceremony, we were proud to honor Brett J. Hart, President of United Airlines, with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his extraordinary leadership, service, and impact.

A proud South Sider and the first African American President of one of the world’s largest airlines, Mr. Hart’s journey is a powerful example of perseverance, excellence, and purpose. Throughout his career, he has broken barriers while continuing to uplift communities and create opportunities for others.

His story reflected this year’s commencement theme of power, purpose, and possibility — reminding the Class of 2026 that leadership is not only defined by professional achievement, but by the impact you make along the way. Through vision, service, and determination, Mr. Hart continues to demonstrate what is possible when purpose drives leadership.

Congratulations, Brett J. Hart, on this well-deserved honor, and thank you for inspiring the next generation of leaders and changemakers.

We’re back in action, Cougars!

Welcome to Summer 2026 Semester—Wishing you a great first day and semester ahead!

Today, we honor and thank all those who have served our country with courage and dedication.

Your sacrifices and commitment inspire the Cougar community every day.

In observance of Memorial Day, our campus will be closed on May 25, 2026 — We will return to campus on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

The future is being built—and it’s happening right here on Chicago’s South Side.

CSU proudly hosted Chicago Public Schools STEM students for the inaugural Chi-Craft “Quantum Leap” Finals, where nearly 30 teams used Minecraft to tackle real-world challenges in urban planning and quantum computing.

With opening remarks from CSU Provost Dr. Sonja Feist-Price and IQMP Architect Meghan Dyer, and the presence of leaders such as CPS CEO Dr. Maqueline King, the event highlighted the power of partnership in shaping the next generation of innovators.

From live build competitions to a student-led fireside chat and industry panel discussion, Chi-Craft demonstrated the importance of meeting students where they are—and preparing them for what’s next.

Read more about the event in the Lawndale News:
http://www.lawndalenews.com/2026/04/chicago-students-celebrate-first-ever-chi-craft-graduation/

The future of CSU Football is officially on campus!

Our inaugural Chicago State football team officially arrived on campus today alongside proud parents, packed cars, big dreams, and unforgettable moments. 

From moving bins to emotional hugs, this was more than move-in day, it was the beginning of a new era for Cougar Athletics.
 
Welcome home, Cougars.

CSU’s Child Development Laboratory School recently hosted a Family Literacy Night: Reader’s Theater, bringing together students, families, faculty, and staff for an engaging celebration of literacy in action.

Led by Dr. Jacquelyn Benchik-Osborne’s ELED 3100 class and co-facilitated with middle school students from Higgins Elementary, the event featured dynamic read-aloud performances that transformed storytelling into a shared, interactive experience.

The evening also served as a culminating project for ELED 3100 students—showcasing their creativity, collaboration, and commitment to education.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in supporting our future educators and fostering a love of reading in our community.

This is what four years of hard work looks like—

At CSU’s 373rd Commencement Ceremony, we were proud to honor Louis Carr, President of BET, an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, in recognition of his extraordinary leadership, community impact, and commitment to creating opportunities for future generations.

Growing up on the West Side of Chicago, Carr’s journey is a powerful example of perseverance, vision, and purpose. From his Chicago roots to becoming President of BET, he has used his platform to champion representation, mentorship, and opportunities for future generations.

His story reflected this year’s commencement theme — power, purpose, and possibility reminding the Class of 2026 that their voices, experiences, and ambitions have the power to create lasting impact. Through leadership, service, and determination, Louis Carr continues to demonstrate what is possible when purpose leads the way.

Congratulations, Louis Carr, on this well-deserved honor, and thank you for inspiring the next generation of leaders and changemakers.

“Chicago State was built for purpose — Walk in your power. Live with purpose. Believe in possibility.”

At CSU’s 373rd Commencement Ceremony, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch delivered a powerful message of leadership, resilience, and possibility to the graduating Class of 2026.

As the first Black Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, Speaker Welch shared inspiring remarks that encouraged graduates to embrace their purpose, use their voices boldly, and recognize the power they hold to create change in their communities and beyond.

We were honored to welcome the trailblazing Speaker Welch as part of this powerful celebration of determination and accomplishments and thank him for sharing his wisdom with the next generation of changemakers.

At CSU’s 373rd Commencement Ceremony, Jasmin Taylor took the stage as the student speaker — representing the heart, determination, and Cougar pride of the Class of 2026.

“Each of us is power personified. Accept your power. It is your responsibility. Share your power.”

Through a powerful message centered on power, purpose, and possibility, Jasmin inspired fellow graduates to lead with perseverance, embrace new opportunities, and move confidently into their next chapter.

Throughout her time at CSU, Jasmin served as President of the Honors College Student Council. As a graduating senior in the Individualized Curriculum Program, she made a lasting impact both inside and outside the classroom through leadership, service, and academic excellence.

Jasmin will continue her studies at Columbia University in New York City as a Fiducia Fellow pursuing a master's degree in American studies.

From campus involvement to community impact, Jasmin truly embodies what it means to be .

Congratulations on this incredible achievement, Jasmin, and thank you for inspiring the next generation of Cougars.

Tassel worth the hassle🎓

Hard launching—2026 CSU college graduates

Every cap has a story to tell🎓

Our 373rd Commencement Ceremony was truly unforgettable!

We were honored to welcome Illinois Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch as our 2026 Commencement Speaker, where he delivered a powerful and inspiring message to the graduating Class of 2026 — encouraging our graduates to lead with courage, purpose, and perseverance as they step into their next chapter.

We also proudly celebrated three distinguished honorary degree recipients, Louis Carr, President of BET, Brett Hart, President of United, and Karen Hunter, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and host of The Karen Hunter Show, whose leadership and impact continue to inspire communities across the nation.

This year’s commencement celebrated power, purpose and possibility of our Cougar community.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 — the future is yours!

Class of 2026, it's finally here!

Congratulations to all of our graduates participating in today’s 373rd Commencement Ceremony.

Please show our graduates some in the comments!

CSU proudly hosted the second annual Parade of Champions at Chicago State University, celebrating the outstanding achievements of CPS Network 17 students. Approximately 600 high school students joined us on campus for a vibrant parade led by CSU’s Marching Soul of Chicago, followed by an awards ceremony honoring the accomplishments of student athletes.

The event brought together CSU students, faculty, and staff for a powerful day of celebration, connection, and recognition. In addition to the festivities, students had the opportunity to hear from university leaders, engage with current CSU students, and explore college pathways, summer programs, community resources, and opportunities through Elevate 17—A groundbreaking initiative between Network 17 and CSU designed to transform college access and success for students on Chicago’s South Side.

The program featured remarks from President Z Scott and Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Sonja Feist-Price, with energetic performances from the Kenwood Marching Band, Simeon Cheer Team & Epic Steel Orchestra.

The Parade of Champions continues to uplift the brilliance, talent, and resilience of students across the South and Southeast Sides of Chicago, reinforcing CSU’s commitment to supporting student success and strengthening community partnerships.

Congratulations to all of the student champions from our South Side high schools!

🔺Bowen High School
🔺Carver Military Academy
🔺Corliss High School
🔺Chicago Vocational Career Academy
🔺Dunbar Vocational Career Academy
🔺Dusable Campus
🔺Walter H. Dyett High School
🔺Christian Fenger Academy
🔺Hyde Park Academy
🔺Kenwood Academy High School
🔺Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory
🔺Wendell Phillip High School
🔺Daniel Hale Williams Prep High School
🔺Simeon Career Academy

As CSU prepares for its 373rd Commencement next week, we are proud to celebrate 14 veteran graduates—honoring not only those who have served or are currently serving, but also military-connected students, including spouses and dependents who are utilizing earned military education benefits.

During this year’s commencement countdown, we also had the opportunity to recognize a powerful milestone within CSU’s ROTC program: four African American graduates were commissioned as officers in the United States Armed Forces—an inspiring achievement that reflects leadership, dedication, and service. We are proud to honor these ROTC candidates as fellow Cougars who embody the spirit of service.

As we continue strengthening the Veterans Resource Center at CSU, we remain grounded in our guiding commitment:

“Service. Scholarship. Community. No one stands alone at CSU.”

A celebration of achievement, sacrifice, and the community that supports every step forward.

CSU proudly congratulates Jasmin Dominique Taylor and Nathanael Concepcion, the 2026 recipients of the President’s Cup — CSU’s highest honor recognizing outstanding graduating seniors for excellence in leadership, scholarship, and service.

Jasmin Dominique Taylor graduates summa cm laude with a 4.0 GPA from the Individualized Curriculum Program and will continue her studies at Columbia University in New York City as a Fiducia Fellow pursuing a master’s degree in American Studies. She also served as President of the Honors College Student Council and is set to deliver the student farewell address at CSU 373rd Commencement Ceremony.

Nathanael Concepcion graduates cm laude with university honors as an English major and has demonstrated leadership across campus through the Honors College, OLAS, and the CSU Marching and Community Jazz Bands. He plans to attend law school and pursue a career in environmental law.

Together, they represent the excellence, perseverance, leadership, and impact that define Chicago State University.

CSU Cougars — Class of 2026!

This is YOUR week. Are you ready for a celebration of Power, Purpose, and Possibility?

As we count down to CSU’s 373rd Commencement, we’re excited to once again recognize our distinguished commencement lineup:

Commencement Address by Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch

Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters recipients:

Louis Carr, President of BET
Brett Hart, President of United Airlines
Karen Hunter, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist & host of The Karen Hunter Show
Derrick Rose— Chicago’s own NBA MVP & Bulls legend

Where: Jones Convocation Center
When: May 14, 2026 at 10:45 a.m.

Class of 2026, your moment is here — and we cannot wait to celebrate you.

CSU wishes our Cougar community a Happy Mothers' Day!

Today, we celebrate the incredible mothers, moms-to-be, stepmothers, adoptive mothers, grandmothers & all those who step in as mother figures — from endless encouragement and loving care to wise advice, warm hugs, and unforgettable memories, mothers hold a special place in our hearts.

We honor, support & celebrate you today and every day!