College Promise Spotlights Hope Chicago for Its Family-Centered Approach to Postsecondary Education and Workforce Development

College Promise Spotlights Hope Chicago for Its Family-Centered Approach to Postsecondary Education and Workforce Development

CHICAGO — Hope Chicago and College Promise brought together educators, policymakers, and community advocates for The Decade of Promise, a half-day symposium held at Farragut Career Academy in Chicago on Tuesday, April 29. The event focused on the growing need for innovative, family-centered approaches to postsecondary education and workforce development.

Hope Chicago’s two-generation scholarship model, which supports both students and their parents with debt-free access to postsecondary and career training pathways, was highlighted by the national, non-partisan, non-profit initiative as a promising strategy for closing equity gaps and advancing economic mobility for Illinois families.

College Promise used the convening to spotlight its newly launched national initiative to support parent students, with an intentional focus on fathers. With male college-going and attainment rates falling significantly behind those of women—both nationally and in Illinois—this initiative comes at a critical time.

Nationally, the college-going rate among recent high school graduates is 14% higher for women (69%) than for men (55%). Once in college, women are more likely to persist, earning 7% more college degrees than men by age 29.

These national trends are mirrored in Illinois, where the college enrollment gap between men and women is 13% higher for women. The attainment gap is nearly twice the national average (+15%), with women accounting for 57% of all degrees and certificates earned compared to 41% for men.

With Illinois as one of only six states with a statutory commitment to student parents, the discussion elevated the importance of inclusive, family-focused approaches to higher education locally and nationwide.

“Programs that address the realities of parenting while pursuing education are not just innovative—they’re essential for the upward economic mobility of families,” said Rosye Cloud, Interim CEO of College Promise. “Hope Chicago is redefining what access and success look like for entire families and communities here in Illinois today, and for generations to come.”

The convening featured a robust program of thought leaders and program providers, culminating in a powerful scholar voice panel featuring Hope Parent Scholars and community partners who are navigating college as parents and caregivers.

“Hope Chicago provided me the opportunity to go back to school, and with the financial challenge out of the way, I felt like [pursuing a degree] wasn’t taking away from my family,” said Brian Barney, Hope Parent Scholar at National Louis University.


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