Early College Awareness

EARLY COLLEGE AWARENESS

The Harvard Alumni Association’s Early College Awareness (ECA) Program aims to engage middle and high school students who may not think college is an option or who might be the first in their family to consider attending college. The ECA program aims to assure both students and their families that attending and paying for college is a realistic goal.

The Harvard Club of Chicago, a long-time participant in the program, has partnered with high schools throughout Chicago to help students and their parents prepare for and get excited about college. Our message over the years has been consistent—whether the goal is Harvard or a community college, there are many things students can do in high school and even middle school to set themselves up for success.

For the 2022/23 academic year, HCC’s ECA program will continue its focus on middle school students. Research has found that reaching students and parents in middle school about the real possibility of college, both financially and academically, can have a profound impact on the chance a student attends college. We’re excited for this new year and hope you’ll volunteer with us!

Volunteers Needed

The Early College Awareness Program is an excellent community service opportunity for alumni seeking to support students and their families when it matters most. It's also a great service option for those who wish to offer community service in the area of education.
To learn more and to volunteer, please email HCC’s Early College Awareness Program Leaders.
Kyle Breunlin
Wei Zhang 

Upcoming Events

May  2025

On May 3rd, 2025 join us for another exciting Early College Awareness event. This free event is designed to inspire and inform students and families as they begin thinking about the path to college. Highlights include:

  • Keynote Speaker: Jessica Qaasim, a Harvard alumna and CPS graduate, now Head of Industry at Google

  • College Student Ambassador Panel

  • Financial Aid & Scholarship Info Session (for parents)

  • College Fit Factor Workshop (for students)

  • Complimentary lunch and free parking

  • Friends and families are welcome to attend.

This event is being hosted by the Harvard Club of Chicago and Harvard Law Society of Illinois in collaboration with UChicago.

For further information about Early College Awareness, please email the team.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Saturday, May 3rd

Time: 12PM - 3PM

Location: Kent Chemical Laboratory, 1020 E 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637

CLICK HERE to RSVP or use the button below

May  2024

On May 3, 2024, the HCC and Harvard Law Society of Illinois plan to pilot a brand new program! We have two Harvard Club of Chicago members in STEM, Ohkyung Kwon and Quentella Enty, who will speak to over 200 7th and 8th graders at Kenwood Academy as part of their AC Kentalk program (their version of TED talk). 

Ohkyung and Quentella will give an overview of their academic history, opportunities this has afforded them, and their current day-to-day in their exciting careers. We expect a very engaged student body and very much look forward to this program taking off! The plan is to follow-up this program at additional schools, as well as with high school students in the future. 

Update: See our previous event recaps, including our latest from November 2023, please click here!