Katie Lopez was among a dozen SIU students in the CPS Scholars initiative who recently visited the Fifth Third Bank headquarters and museum during an educational excursion to Cincinnati. (Photo provided)
April 16, 2026
SIU’s CPS Scholars program helps Chicago students succeed
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Giving students the tools and support needed to help them succeed is intrinsic to the mission of a Southern Illinois University Carbondale and its Saluki Student Success Initiatives, which includes a new program launched last year.
Currently, 65 SIU students are participating in the CPS Scholars program, a shared strategy partnership to help Chicago Public Schools graduates stay on track and achieve their educational goals. The program allows CPS graduates to participate in career-aligned experiences and early career exploration, social and emotional skill building initiatives and peer mentorship during their freshman through junior years, said Kristopher Marshall, director of Saluki Student Success Initiatives. These experiences enhance the students’ sense of belonging through an incentive structure with the goal of improving retention rates, academic success and helping them succeed beyond college graduation.
“The CPS Scholars program is not just about retention – it is grounded in the understanding that access alone is not enough,” Marshall said. “True equity requires intentional support, meaningful engagement and an investment in the whole student. Through peer mentorship, career-aligned experiences and holistic support, CPS Scholars creates a pathway that keeps students connected to their Chicago roots while helping them feel supported away from home. At the same time, the program provides real-world experiences that expose students to viable career pathways and prepares them for their future after college.”
Learning in and out of the classroom
The program provides students with a diverse array of learning experiences, both on campus and in the community. During a recent to educational excursion to Cincinnati, a dozen CPS Scholars met with Stephanie A. Brown, vice president and chief inclusion officer, and Eddie Perry, digital product owner II and assistant vice president, at Fifth Third Bank and with Greg Faust, financial adviser and Stevie Scott, branch office administrator, at Edward Jones as well as with representatives of the Donald Jordan Memorial Chapel. They also established connections with Marcus Richardson, senior director of Global Innovation at Proctor & Gamble, as well as zoologists at the Cincinnati Zoo.
The scholars say the program significantly benefited them.
“My participation in the CPS Scholars program and the Cincinnati trip has had a strong impact on my college experience so far,” said Mariyah Bell, a sophomore early childhood education major from Chicago. “I have gained confidence in myself, especially when it comes to stepping outside of my comfort zone and connecting with new people.”
Bell said she has developed meaningful relationships with her peers and the program directors, which has helped her feel more supported and less alone in her journey. She also noted that the program and trip allowed her to experience new environments and imagine different future possibilities – “which motivated me to take my goals more seriously. Overall, these experiences have helped me grow both personally and academically.”
Proven record
Marshall said the program’s success is in the numbers. In just the program’s second year, by the fall 2025 semester, the average GPA for participating students rose from 2.29 to 2.53 and the retention rate increased from 75.84% to 86.57%.
“These results highlight the positive impact of the CPS Scholars Program, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving academic performance, increasing retention and helping students stay on track,” Marshall said.
Learning by doing
SIU’s CPS Scholars participating in the most recent learning excursion, listed with year and major, include:
- Mariyah Bell – sophomore, early childhood education.
- Jalissa Curry – sophomore, health care management.
- Ashley Garcia-Valdivia, freshman, mortuary science and funeral service.
- Demetria Gooden, sophomore, social work.
- Darnell Jenkins, junior, cybersecurity technology.
- Katie Lopez, sophomore, zoology.
- Enoch Okunlola, sophomore, aviation flight and technologies.
- Cecilia “Cece” Pedro, sophomore exploratory student planning to major in mortuary science and funeral service.
- Maria Pedroza, freshman, mortuary science and funeral service.
- Valerie “Vinny” Ruiz, freshman, mortuary science and funeral service.
- Aaliyah Russell, junior, health care management.
- Nigel Waller – freshman, aviation technologies.
Learn more about the CPS Scholars initiative and the Saluki Student Success Initiatives online or by emailing exploratory@siu.edu.