Our Mission

Pursue Scholars holistically invests in emerging urban leaders in pursuit of higher education.

Vision

Pursue Scholars envisions a network of college-educated community leaders in neighborhoods throughout Chicago who collaborate to bring change to our communities.

History of Pursue scholars


  • Button

  • Button

  • Button

  • Button
  • Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A look back to the Summer of 2007

    • First three scholars are selected 
    • Several key donors committed to the mission

  • A call to mind in THE Winter of 2011

    •  Jeremy Barahona is hired as the first Student Relations Coordinator 
    • Pursue expanded to support scholars mentally and emotionally .

  • Transforming Lives in the Spring of 2011

    • Twenty young Chicago leaders selected in the program 
    • First three scholars graduated 
  • Making a Difference in The Spring of 2015

    • Pursue Scholars partnered with Taylor University developing the Act Six Program 
    • This partnership resulted in an increase of scholars in our program 
  • Impacting the next generation in the Fall of 2015

    • Three Pursue Alum are hired to work on Staff to continue the investment of young leaders
    • Each Alum branched into different career fields making an impact on future leaders
  • Sustaining our mission in the Fall of 2016

    • Daniel An,  Alum of Pursue rebranded our logo and launched a brand-new website
  • Taking action in the summer of 2018

    • Pursue Scholars partnered with Chicago Semester to provide resources for our scholars 
    • Pursue Scholars received the “Excellence in Collaboration,” award from Chicago Semester 
  • An example of commitment in the fall of 2019

    • The Soderquist Family Foundation makes a significant investment in the future of Pursue Scholars
  • A leap of faith in the fall 2020

    • Solomon Dixon, former Pursue Staff, created the idea of our annual event, “Pursue Unity”
    • This campaign created media buzz from local news station and NFL Player, Copeland Bryan joined to walk across the city 

  • A Transition in Leadership in the Fall of 2022

    •  Clive Craigen becomes new Executive Director
Share by: