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Summer 2026 ISACorps™ Alumni E-Newsletter
Be Informed. Food for Thought. Resources.
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In this Issue
- News & Announcements
- What We Are Reading and Listening To…
- Upcoming Webinars
Welcome to the ISACorps Alumni quarterly e-newsletter! Visit the ISACorps Alumni webpage to access the newsletter, join the ISACorps Digital Yearbook, and read more about ISACorps alumni updates and announcements.
| | 2026 College Changes Everything® Conference | The annual College Changes Everything (CCE) Conference took place on July 16 at the Tinley Park Convention Center. With over 500 attendees, this year’s conference, themed “Education Matters,” centered on the power of education to transform lives while challenging attendees to examine the policies, systems, and barriers that impact educational access and student success. | College Changes Everything Movement Transitions to
Education Matters Illinois | | |
During the 16th annual College Changes Everything® (CCE) Conference on July 16, ISAC announced an exciting new chapter. The College Changes Everything movement is now Education Matters Illinois, a new movement and community of practice designed to meet the needs of today’s changing educational landscape.
Building on 16 years of CCE, Education Matters will broaden the conversation beyond traditional college pathways to recognize education as a foundation for opportunity, strong families, thriving communities, workforce development, and lifelong success. Supporting students and families remains at the center of the movement, with the ISACorps continuing to provide statewide, community-based support as students navigate their education and career pathways.
Education Matters will also bring together students, families, educators, policymakers, and community partners through future convenings and a reinvigorated annual conference to collaborate, innovate, and take action.
As ISAC’s Chief Service Officer Jacqueline Moreno shared, “Education matters because every learner matters. Every pathway matters. Every decision, every innovation, every act of support matters.”
Learn more about Education Matters Illinois and what’s ahead as we continue building on the legacy of College Changes Everything.
| New Corps Members Received Welcome Letters from Alumni! | On the last day of Corps Con training, 32 first-year Corps members received personalized, heartfelt welcome letters from alumni. Our team paired each alum with a new Corps member from the community college district where the alum had previously served. The letters were filled with words of encouragement and support—a welcome embrace from the ISACorps™ community. As they read the messages, the Corps members' excitement and anticipation for their journey grew. Our alumni experience and advice help provide a sense of connection and belonging. ISACorps members said that the welcome letters left them feeling motivated and ready to embark on their new roles. Thank you again to the following alumni who submitted welcome letters. Your commitment to the Corps is truly appreciated! | |
- Pat Ackerman
- Nicole Boyd
- Marisol Campos
- Jessica Diaz
- Karina Diaz
- Jackson Esela
- Anna Halvax (Dutton)
- Redell Hendricks
- Caitlin Hinrichs
- Jasmine Jetton-Gonzales
- Brianna Kuramitsu
- Danielle Long
- Monica Masini-Wahi
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- Ariel O'Neal
- Jocelyn Ramon
- Daena Ramos
- Jenna Roeker
- Krystal Sanchez
- Maya Sansard
- Heidi Schmidt
- Anja Schrag
- Tiffany Sharp
- Manuel Talavera
- Cory Washington
- Brian White
- Dustin Zimmerman
| | | Alumni Showing Up: Corps Con Move-In & Cookout | Redell Hendricks, 2016 kicked off Corps Con by giving back in a big way! Redell supported our newest Corps members during move-in and later joined us at the cookout, where she shared encouragement and reflections from her own ISACorps experience. Her presence was a great reminder of what our alumni network is all about—staying connected and showing up for the next generation of Corps members. | Alumni Panel: Real Conversations & Connections | |
Our Corps Con alumni panel was a highlight of the summer! Kimberly Shaw, 2014; Ashley Houston, 2011; Myranda Scott, 2020; Erica Ford, 2011; and Aleshia Lowery, 2011 joined our Corps members to share their experiences, career journeys, and lessons learned along the way.
The conversation didn’t end when the panel did! Our alumni stayed for lunch, giving Corps members the opportunity to continue asking questions, making connections, and having more personal conversations about life during and after ISACorps. It was a great example of alumni pouring back into the community that helped shape their own journeys.
| Alumni Connect with Our August Hires | |
On August 3, our newest summer hires also had the opportunity to connect virtually with ISACorps alumni Alexander Skarr, 2017; Karina Diaz, 2011; and Redell Hendricks, 2016. Hosted by ISAC staff members Renee Martinez and Tiffany Sharp, 2009, the conversation gave our August hires a chance to hear directly from alumni as they begin their own ISACorps journey.
It was another opportunity to welcome our newest Corps members into a network that extends far beyond their first year—and remind them that they already have a community of alumni ready to support them along the way.
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Job Opportunities and One-On-One Career Coaching!
Looking for a new job? Check out these positions! ISACorps Alumni Job Postings List.xlsx
If you are looking to advance your career, make a career change, find more balance in your current position, and/or assess your job satisfaction, then check out our career coaching program. Our alumni coordinator can help you develop a roadmap and specific plans to help you meet your career goals. This program is free to all our ISACorp alumni!
Get started today by scheduling an appointment with our career coach. Fill out on the ISACorps Alumni Career Coaching interest form and we will get back to you to schedule! We are here to help!
If you know of any job opportunities in your area and would like to share them with your fellow ISACorps alumni or current ISACorps members, please email [email protected].
| Upcoming ISAC Professional Development: In-Person and Virtual Trainings | To assist you in helping your students and families with the college-going and financial aid process, ISAC offers free trainings to school counselors, college and career staff, college admission counselors, and other education professionals. Professional Development (PD) hours and Continuing Education (CE) credits will be available for attendees at the rate of one unit per contact hour. For more information and registration details, visit ISAC's Professional Development page. | Call for Proposals: Present a Session at the 2027 Success Network Conference! | |
Deadline: September 4
The Success Network invites session proposals for its 14th annual conference, March 2, 2027, in Naperville. Groundbreaking, transformative work is happening in schools, campuses, organizations, and communities across Illinois every day, and we want to feature your insights, creative strategies, and actionable solutions. We invite proposals across a variety of topics focused on advancing equitable postsecondary attainment, including college, career, and life readiness policy & practice; closing opportunity gaps for marginalized students; cross-sector collaboration for student success; work-based learning; data and continuous improvement; early college coursework; and student belonging.
>> Submit your session proposal
Note: Please review the guidelines on the submission form regarding presenter expectations and registration prior to submitting.
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Family Action Network (FAN) Events
ISAC is pleased to continue sponsorship of selected FAN events. FAN is a non-profit organization that curates a high-quality speaker series. FAN’s accessible and dynamic events create common ground and provide the latest insights on education, psychology, social change, relationships, and well-being. All FAN programs are free and open to the public. Check out their upcoming and past events today. Feel free to share this information with your colleagues and network.
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What We Are Reading and Listening To…
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Other Webinars and Workshops
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EdSystems - Unified for Success: The Next Generation of Illinois Programs of Study - Monday, August 31, 12 p.m. CT
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EdSystems: High-Quality Work-Based Learning Fundamentals - Wednesday, September 16, 12 p.m. CT
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Illinois State University: The Education Next Workforce Model in Action - Thursday, September 17, 12 p.m. CT
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Young Invincibles: 2026 State of Young Illinois Summit - Thursday, September 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. CT
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The Chronicle of Higher Education - Chronicle Festival 2026: Building Trust During Change - September 10, 15, and 17
| | Don't forget to update your contact information to receive recent job postings, our quarterly e-newsletter, the latest PD opportunities, alumni event invitations, and more. | | If you have any questions regarding this e-Message, please send an email to the Alumni Relations division at [email protected]. | | © 2026 Illinois Student Assistance Commission | | | | |
