Ivan Bohorquez ’19 and Samantha Sotelo ’18 present “How to maximize your business degree from North Central” during the evening’s events.
ALUMNI ACADEMY BRINGS ENERGY AND EXPERTISE TOGETHER Cardinal First continues to further its reputation for innovation, networking and support for first generation students by holding a first-ever Alumni Academy on campus in March. The professional conference brought together 50 firstgeneration North Central alumni who served as presenters, panelists and mentors for the 115 first-generation students in attendance. The event resulted from a $100,000 grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations (AVDF). Students participated in seminars on a variety of subjects related to navigating the professional realm, received etiquette training at a networking dinner, met with alumni for question-and-answer sessions, and concluded the evening practicing their professional interaction with the alumni over dessert. Dean Devert ’86, chief of staff for the Illinois Auditor General's Office, gave the keynote address.
“I hope the first-gen students found inspiration, information and reassurance from the network of first-gen alumni who are living examples of first-gen Cardinal success.” Julie Carballo assistant dean for first-generation, transfer and veteran initiatives The event was delayed three times due to COVID-19 and the initial plan was for approximately 20 North Central firstgeneration alumni to facilitate workshops and presentations related to their career fields. More than twice that many attended. “Our current first-gen students benefit from networking with, and learning from, first-gen alumni because they are following in their footsteps—navigating the same journey to a college degree,” said Julie Carballo, assistant dean for first-generation, transfer and veteran initiatives. “The alumni know the possible
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roadblocks or detours and how to keep moving toward the goal of earning a college degree; they also can share their lived experience as first-gen professionals and can leverage their own networks to benefit our current students.” Students learned about soft skills for engineers, working in intercollegiate athletics, counseling careers for psychology majors, pathways to law school, and many others. Professional guests represented high schools and colleges from throughout the region, governmental and non-profit organizations, and well-known companies
