We’re thrilled to share a few recent and noteworthy dispatches from our Scholars here, but don’t forget to follow us on Instagram as we welcome new Scholars to the Phoenix Pact family and post updates from their successes both near and far!
Always on the move, Phoenix Pact Scholars are a force to behold:
The Mississippi River
Khalil Mosley (Augustana 2024) takes part in a unique geology class; GEOG-106, "Taking the Pulse of the Mississippi.”
Riding the college boat Stewardship near downtown Rock Island, students learned to use specialized equipment to measure depth and velocity to compute the flow rate of the river and compare their findings to official computations from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
United Arab Emirates
Shunnaria Smith (Michigan State, 2023), who recently completed a study-abroad experience, is pictured here at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Dubai.
“I was with a group of mixed majors, mostly business students,” Shunnaria says. “With a minor in sports business management, I could see how much possibility there was for growth in a country that’s not currently big on western-style professional sports, but the key takeaway from my trip is to never be afraid to try something new!”
To the Farm
Destiny Coleman (University of Illinois, 2024), is an Animal Science major, working on a research trial for cows.
“I work the dairy farm on weekends and the poultry farm on school days,” Destiny says. With an eye toward veterinary school, Destiny’s work as a Teacher Assistant on the dairy farm, “has made me even think about teaching.”
“I honestly love what I do for my school and am usually on the farm 5 to 7 days a week.”
Cancer Research
Raven Dean (University of Illinois, 2024) is pictured while presenting her research for a prestigious internship with the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center.
As a public health major preparing for her second summer with the internship, Raven recently attended the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, in Orlando Florida. In reporting from the event, Raven proclaimed it to be “awesome and inspiring, with a conference center full of all types of doctors, researchers, MD students and oncologists!”
Community Service
Ronnie Branch (Grand Valley State University, 2020), is one of more than 20 Pact Scholars to return to to serve North Lawndale as integral constituents for the North Lawndale Service Corps; made possible through Public Allies Chicago, and Steans Family Foundation.
Ronnie writes that “Public Allies has helped me recognize my leadership skills and my love for asset-based work in the North Lawndale community.”
Shaping Futures
Tashawnna Johnson (Illinois State University, 2020) has become an invaluable professional partner of Phoenix Pact, as NLCP’s Alumni Counselor.
With a degree in criminal justice, Tashawnna plans to become a juvenile probation officer, but for now she’s building relationships and helping to guide young people through college and beyond. “NLCP is not just a high school. It is a network of support,” she says. “Lean on your NLCP family for the support you need on your journey. When it's over, take what you learned and repair the world!”
There will be 400 Pact Scholars making their way through college in the 2023-24 school year
Phoenix Pact Scholars Serve:
• 11 NLCP employees
• 100+ work/live in Chicago
• 150+ work in public service
By summer 2023, Pact Scholars will have earned 300 college degrees, and counting.
On March 29, 2023, the first-ever John Horan Scholarship dinner was held at DePaul University. Pictured, from left to right are Monica Hurtado (DePaul), Chris Kelly, Maya Coleman, Ravonne Washington, John Horan, Dajsha Stephenson, Darryl Arrington (DePaul) Jasmine Stewart and Jeleyah Kilpatrick.
Pact President Chris Kelly reports “The DePaul Horan Scholars program sets a high bar. Amazing, comprehensive support that is producing stellar results for our DePaul cohort. All are happily progressing towards graduation with a rich set of college experiences and on to lives filled with meaning and success.”