Student Engagement and Success

High School: Morgan Park
Classification: Junior
Major: Sports Administration
Current Term GPA: 4.0
Cumulative GPA: 3.33

If there were a picture in the dictionary next to the word “Come Back Kid,” it would be Lidell Miller. He had a rough first year with a first semester GPA of 1.4; he was able to earn a 3.16 that spring, but still received two F’s a low credit accumulation. Upon returning his Sophomore year, he vowed to lock in and focus and bring his GPA up. We made a plan, and since then, he has succeeded. He has been on the Dean’s list for the last two semesters. He was able to pull off a semester of all A’s, bringing his cumulative GPA to a 3.3. I don’t doubt that by the end of this semester, he will not only be above a 3.5 he will also be on track to graduate in his timeline of 4 years.

High School: Morgan Park
Classification: Junior
Major: Journalism
Current Term GPA: 3.533
Cumulative GPA: 3.693

In the Spring of 2025, she will participate in an internship with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. After graduation, she intends to enroll in law school. She hopes this internship will give her direct knowledge of how a law degree and a journalism degree may work together to advance social justice. Journey has taken the opportunity as a Hope Chicago Scholar to help bring her dreams to reality. Having a hard senior year with medical issues, she didn’t go to class as often as she should, and ultimately ended her high school career with a 2.34 GPA. However, she attained the highest GPA in the first cohort of scholars here at SIUC, 3.813. She became an R.A. in her sophomore year on one of the Hope Chicago Living Learning Community floors. As a junior, she has worked with students in the College of Liberal Arts as a peer success coach.