Adding a second session to the Salute to Academic Achievement event helped the University of Illinois System reach 574 Illinois high school students from the Chicago area and beyond. That’s up from nearly 400 last year.
The shift marks another way the U of I System shows its commitment to ensuring its three best-in-class universities are accessible. The U of I System widens the doors of opportunity through an ever-growing set of pathways to a degree, plus financial aid to help manage costs.
Since 1984, the president of the U of I System has hosted Salute to Academic Achievement to honor talented students from underrepresented communities and counties.
Responding to feedback from past SAA attendees, system academic affairs professionals added an evening session to accommodate parents’ and other supporters’ work schedules. It worked. In early October, more than 1,200 people attended the events that recognize student success while spotlighting post-high school options.
“We were at capacity last year at the Dorin Forum at the University of Illinois Chicago. Adding a nighttime session allowed us to meet with and celebrate the accomplishments of even more students,” said event coordinator Sophia Gehlhausen Anderson. “It also allowed us to spotlight how to apply, enroll and achieve at U of I System universities.”
Honors students at the system’s universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield share their stories so attendees can envision how they would fit in and excel.
One student said, “The students who spoke created a warm and welcoming environment regarding all three campuses, making me feel better about the college experience.” Another said, “Hearing people speak about their college experience makes me excited to start college.”
Attendees learn more about admissions, financial aid and housing at the event’s job fair. The system waives application fees for Salute to Academic Achievement attendees.
“Salute to Academic Achievement is an inspiring gathering,” U of I System President Tim Killeen said. “It’s an honor to commend these students — and the people who support them — on outstanding academic achievement and commitment to their own strong futures.”
To further broaden the event’s reach, the system invited high-achieving students, based on high school counselor nominations and College Board data, from a larger geographical area. The system partners with the national not-for-profit to create pathways to a four-year degree, including growing the number of Advanced Placement teachers across Illinois.
