Lake Forest College '24
Major: Business-Accounting

"I want to make sure that I become an inspiration for my younger siblings after earning my bachelor's degree by teaching them to persevere despite life's challenges."

Graduate of Illinois State University '21
Major: Social Work

"If I wasn't in S2C, my future would be very different. I either wouldn't have gone to college or I would've gone to community college. This program is life-changing."

Bradley University '24
Major: Business & Marketing

"S2C has been instrumental in helping me prepare to reach my college and career goals. Without S2C’s individualized guidance I’m not sure I would be as ready and successful as I am today."

Worcester Polytechnic Institute '25
Major: Biomedical Engineering

"As someone who was initially daunted by the process, being guided by a mentor has been essential. Having someone who could offer advice and wisdom on topics my own parents hardly knew anything about felt like a huge relief to me."

Lake Forest College '25
Major: Undecided

"I want to be able to make a difference in people's lives. Getting a college degree is the first step in achieving that vision of mine."

Graduate of Northern Illinois University '22
Major: Sociology & Criminal Justice

"As first-generation, I felt like I was missing crucial information about applying and going to college. S2C has given me the individual guidance I need to understand and navigate the college process."

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ’26
Major: Biology

“With S2C’s continued support, I’m provided the opportunity to exercise my curiosity and to pursue a career I’m passionate about. Through the program, I can achieve my future plans of receiving a Bachelor of Science and publishing biological research at my institution.”

University of Illinois at Chicago '25
Major: Kinesiology & Health Sciences with Honors

"S2C has helped me make sense of college applications, financial aid, scholarship opportunities, and college interviews. Without S2C, I wouldn't have been ready to handle those important parts of the college process."

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign '25
Major: Computer Science

"S2C has given both my parents and I the insight and knowledge into the college process and helped me figure out a much clearer path towards my college and career goals."

Purdue University ’26
Major: Aerospace Engineering

"With every S2C meeting, the college journey becomes less intimidating and uncertain. They keep us well informed of what's coming as far as covering the costs of attendance and outlining what we must submit in our college application.”

National Louis University '24
Major: Business & Marketing

“S2C has opened me up to new experiences. This program has truly changed my life for the better.”

Columbia College '23
Major: Illustration & Animation

"S2C has inspired me to dig deeper into what I want to become. Getting a college degree will not only change my life, it will change my family's life."

Bradley University ’26
Major: Health Sciences

“S2C has given me the confidence and motivation to help others who are not only struggling through the process but also first-generation college students who are in the same shoes I was in before."

Eastern Illinois University ’26
Major: Undecided

“The S2C program never gave up on me and showed me examples of students who have the same situation as me that got into college and succeeded.”

Northeastern Illinois University '23
Major: Business & Marketing

"I am the first in my family to attend college. My family is proud and excited about my future. I’m the oldest, and I know I’m a role model for my brother and sister. When I earn my college degree, they’ll know they can and should too."

Graduate of Iowa State University '22
Major: Aerospace Engineering

"I am excited to be the first in my family to attend college. It is very important for me to set an example for my siblings and show them how important it is to work for a higher education."

College of Lake County '25
Major: Pre-Architecture

"With a college degree, I am much closer to achieving my dream of becoming an architect. S2C has prepared me for the next steps in my life, to master and utilize my passions in the real world."

DePaul University '25
Major: Anthropology

"Before S2C, I thought I'd never make it to college. Now, I'm attending a university and have a plan for my future."

Columbia College Chicago ’26
Major: Interior Architecture & Design Management

“I truly don’t know where I’d be, in terms of college if it wasn’t for S2C. Earning a four-year degree will open up so many more job and life opportunities for my future than if I didn’t receive one.”

Bradley University '24
Major: Political Science with Honors

"It was always a fear of mine that I wouldn't go to college. Going seems more manageable now that I have S2C to help guide me through it. S2C has given me the opportunity to see college as my future."

Illinois State University '24
Major: Nursing

"I'm excited to make great friends, kickstart my nursing career, and experience new things. I'm honestly excited for every aspect of college."

Illinois Institute of Technology’26
Major: Mechanical Engineering

“S2C was there to support me and my family through this unclear water. Everyone was ready to cheer me in my ups and to give me a helping hand when I fall down.”

Dominican University ’26
Major: Nursing

“Earning a four-year college degree will impact my future by helping me reach my goal to pursue Nursing...Without S2C’s help, I am not sure if I would have applied to a four-year college or even looked into the idea of it."

Graduate of Illinois Institute of Technology '21
Major: Computer Engineering

"Because of my S2C mentor and the resources in the program, I had the confidence to apply to competitive colleges."

University of South Florida - Tampa Campus '25
Major: Psychology

"S2C has motivated me and made me feel as though I'm cut out for higher education and a bright future."