Chicago State University

Our Child Development Laboratory School (CDLS) families came together for the Annual Family Picnic, celebrating a year of growth and learning, and giving a special shoutout to our preschoolers who are ready to take their next big step into kindergarten this fall!

The day was packed with face painting, open play, and field games that kept smiles going all afternoon. Things also got wild (literally!) with a special visit from Scales and Tales Traveling Zoo, where our youngest Cougars got up close and personal with a variety of animals.

The celebration concluded with our Preschool Graduate Diploma Ceremony, honoring our littlest Cougars.

Congratulations to our CDLS graduates!

We are of you!

25 years of Master of Social Work program at CSU and we're celebrating in a big way.

The Chicago State Alumni Association MSW Alumni Group is hosting the CSU Master of Social Work Alumni Conference on July 24, 2026 from 8:30 AM – 5 PM at CSU's Jones Convocation Center. This milestone event marks 25 years of Social Work graduates from CSU, bringing together social work alumni, current students, and community leaders for a full day of connection and celebration.

We're honored to welcome Keynote Speaker Dr. Shawn Ginwright, the Jerome T. Murphy Professor of Practice at Harvard Graduate School of Education, to headline the day.

Visit https://www.csu.edu/events/7-24_social_work_alumni_conference.htm to register.

🔺Date: July 24, 2026
🔺Time: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
🔺Location: Jones Convocation Center | 9501 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL

CSU has launched the CQuEST Center (CSU Quantum Education, Science and Technology Center), our IBHE-authorized hub for quantum research, credentials, and workforce development. Dr. Valerie Goss serves as the Center's Director, and we're excited to share that CQuEST already has students enrolled and preparing for careers in quantum that are coming to Chicago and beyond.

CSU led the way be being the FIRST Illinois public university to earn IBHE approval for quantum and semiconductor workforce credentials.

Programs include:
🔺Quantum Information Science & Engineering (QISE) Certificate
🔺Semiconductor Technology and Manufacturing Certificate
🔺QISE Minor

These programs are open to current students, adult learners, and career-changers. Through our founding partnership with the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park (IQMP) - also located on Chicago's South Side - CQuEST students get priority access to cutting-edge facilities, mentorship, and career pathways with national labs, startups, and global tech firms.

The quantum economy is here. And our Cougars are ready.
Learn more at https://www.csu.edu/news/quantum_era.htm

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, stepdads, father figures, and mentors who inspire us to reach higher!

At CSU, we see the sacrifices you make every day and we're proud to be the institution where so many of your stories continue.

Chicago State University joins the nation in commemorating Juneteenth, honoring the resilience and contributions of those who came before us.

As a university rooted in the South Side of Chicago and a predominantly Black institution, we recognize that Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of the ongoing pursuit of opportunity for our community and beyond.

Last week, CSU's Center for Information and Security Education and Research (CINSER) celebrated a major milestone as the third cohort of the Mic2ExL program completed Phase I — 100 hours of cutting-edge semiconductor and microelectronics training!

From hands-on lab work to professional development, these Cougars came ready to build the future of tech right here in Chicagoland. Huge congratulations to our participants, and a special shoutout to Deans Patrice Boyles and Mark Smith for their unified commitment to making this program a model for workforce transformation.

And the journey doesn't stop here — cohort members will now move into internships at Argonne National Laboratories, where they'll receive specialized mentorship and work on advanced technical projects.

The pipeline from classroom to career is REAL.

Cougar alumni are out here changing the game!

Dominique Moore, CSU Biology (Pre-Med) graduate and Hope Chicago Scholar said it best "Because I’m graduating debt-free, I see my next move as a fresh start with endless opportunities.”

Dominique is one of nearly 400 Hope Scholars and Parent Scholars across Chicago completing debt-free degrees this year and we couldn't be more proud to be part of that mission.

Congratulations, Dominique! The future is yours.

Read the full story in The Citizen Newspaper Group>> https://bit.ly/43Z1uAW

As quantum moves from research to real-world application, CSU is at the table. Dr. Valerie Goss, Director of CSU's Quantum Education, Science & Technology Center (CQuEST), moderated The Quantum Advantage: From Research to ROI panel at an Executives' Club of Chicago event — leading a cross-sector dialogue on how quantum technology translates into economic impact.

Joining Dr. Goss were Scott Buchholz of Deloitte, Vincent Beltrani from IBM Quantum, and Susan Kim from PsiQuantum.

Together, they examined where commercial traction is emerging and what it means for the future of business and innovation. CSU's presence in rooms like this reflects our commitment to ensuring Chicago's quantum economy is built with and for all communities.