The advantages of SIUE’s East St. Louis Upward Bound (UB) programs are life-building and far-reaching, according to UB student Ahmaya Mazyun.  

“Upward Bound helps students with academic success, prepares them for college, finds ways for them to get to college and helps them discover their college interests or area of study,” said Mazyun, a Cahokia High School student who has been in the UB Madison/Lovejoy/Cahokia (MLC) program for four years.   

Mazyun was also eager to add that UB has enhanced her as student and a person.   

“Upward Bound helped me improve as a student, by encouraging me to join clubs at school,” she added. “In addition, the program assisted me in bettering myself, by constantly reminding me to keep moving further. Currently, I am happy with where I am in life, but in the future, I can achieve more and be in a better place.”  

The programs are a success, in part, because of the staff, according to Mazyun, who cites the person who stands out the most to her.  

“Mr. (Christopher) Cooper (program director for SIUE TRIO East St. Louis Upward Bound Programs) is my favorite staff member,” shared Mazyun. “He accepts everyone for who they are, treats and protects everyone like his children, and has always been there for us. Mr. Cooper is an inspiration.”  

Upward Bound (UB) programs help youth prepare for higher education and serves students from East St. Louis and SIUE East St. Louis Charter (EC), and Madison, Lovejoy and Cahokia (MLC) High Schools. Participants receive instruction in literature, composition and STEM subjects on college campuses after school, on Saturdays and during the summer. The quality services provided will prepare the students for successful high school completion and entrance into post-secondary programs. Upward Bound is a college-preparatory program designed to serve low-income and/or potential first-generation college students who are currently in grades 9-12. Upward Bound is part of the SIUE East St. Louis Center. 

Photo:
Upward Bound student Ahmaya Mazyun.

Helping non-traditional students to quickly find living-wage jobs is what has landed Natalie Whitman at the SIUE East St. Louis Center, and she couldn’t be more happier. 

“Giving student’s a proper education in a specific capacity they are interested in, to gain a living wage job in a short period of time, is truly life changing,” said Whitman, coordinator of Alternative Credit and Credentials. Whitman is a staff member in the Office of Online Services and Educational Outreach (OSEO) and works from the East St. Louis campus once a week. 

Whitman, who came to East St. Louis in March 2023, works with non-traditional students to grow their skills to become more marketable for living wage jobs in a short period of time. 

“I enroll students into the non-credit program they want to succeed in, and guide and encourage them throughout the process,” explained Whitman. “Once they have completed the competencies, I help them find employment. The programs are self-paced, so they are geared towards those with families and full-time jobs, making success very attainable with hard work.” 

Alternative Credit and Credentials offers tremendous opportunity to provide learners with new skills when applying for jobs or to decrease degree time by gaining credit for skills they already possess, according to OSEO Director Mary Ettling. 

“Having Natalie as our student-facing, point-person for these efforts means that participants will be encouraged and supported no matter what their educational or career goals are,” continued Ettling. “I could not be more pleased to be working with someone who has a true passion and gift for working with our learners!” 

The programs have helped students, ranging in age from 18-60s, achieve success, noted Whitman. 

“I enjoy this job, because it allows me to help students from all backgrounds who may need more support,” said Whitman. “I also love being a part of the East St. Louis community and campus. The staff has been beyond welcoming, and I look forward to working here, building connections and growing opportunities for the community.” 

Office of Online Services and Educational Outreach – In pursuit of SIUE’s mission to be a community that is dedicated to expanding knowledge to shape a changing world, our office offers a variety of personal and professional development opportunities. We work across credit, certificate and non-credit programs and provide a wide array of opportunities to engage in continuing education for career enhancement or simply for enjoyment. 

Photo:
Natalie Whitman, coordinator of Alternative Credit and Credentials for OSEO.

Director’s Office  

Now gracing the front desk in Building A is SIUE alumnae Barbara Aebel. Aebel joined the SIUE East St. Louis Center (ESLC) on May 8.  

“I’m extremely happy to be here,” said Aebel. “Everyone I have met has welcomed me and has patiently answered my questions.”  

Aebel was hired to welcome employees and visitors, answer questions and help people get to where they need to be. There has been no one staffing the Information Desk in Building A for approximately two years.   

“Additionally, I answer the main phone line for the East St. Louis Center, accept deliveries, sort incoming packages, US mail and campus mail, and assist with administrative tasks of the Director’s Office staff,” she added.  

Aebel earned a bachelor of music in education and performance in 1985 and a master’s of music in French horn performance in 1987. She is certified to teach K-12 music in Illinois (vocal and instrumental) and in Missouri (instrumental only).  

Aebel encourages ESLC employees to stop by and introduce themselves.  

Veteran’s Upward Bound  

Offering much needed, additional support in the SIUE East St. Louis Center’s Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) Program is Dominique Bibbs.   

Bibbs was hired as the VUB Program Coordinator on May 3.  

“I will do outreach and recruit veteran students who want to further their education,” informed Bibbs. “I will also help students become prepared for study and college before they begin their first day of classes.   

The position is needed to give students the skills and tools needed to be successful in college, she noted.  

“I am confident that I will be able to assist students in their next chapter of their lives,” Bibbs continued, “because I am supported and empowered within my department.” 

Photo: Barbara Aebel (left) and Dominique Bibbs (right).

The Learning Resource Center (LRC):

• 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, June 8 - Summer Movie Series (in person only)

• 9 a.m. Friday, June 9 - Storytime with craft to follow, theme is “Art” (in person only)

• 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 13 - Summer Movie Series (in person only)

• 12-1 p.m. Wednesday, June 14 - Let’s Create: Rock Painting (in person only)

• 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, June 15-  Summer Movie Series (in person only)

• 9 a.m. Friday, June 16 - Storytime with craft to follow, theme is “Juneteenth” (in person only)

• Every Wednesday in June, we’ll have a special Rainbow Reading Storytime on Facebook.

• Monday, June 12 - Field trip to St. Louis Federal Courthouse

• 2:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 13 - Career Services will discuss the results of a career personality assessment with students.
• 1-3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 15- Safe Connections will facilitate a social media and relationships workshop.

• Friday, June 16 - Engineering field trip

• Thursday, June 22 - SIU Carbondale college visit

Juneteenth Celebration:

Join The Hub for the annual Juneteenth Celebration. There will be food, music, games and local Black-owned businesses selling their items and services.

11 a.m - 2 p.m.
Tuesday, June 20
Stratton Quad

Food vendors include Gulf Shores Food Truck and My Just Desserts. The first 60 RSVPs will receive free food vouchers. Food will be available for purchase after the vouchers run out or if guests want second helpings!

RSVP here.

Any questions or to cancel an RSVP please contact Inclusion@siue.edu.

Creative Arts Courses Returning for Summer:

Whether you are interested in metalsmithing, drawing, painting or photography, OSEO has a course for you. Hosted in partnership with the Art and Design department, our fabulous faculty, staff and students have a variety of course from beginning to advanced for you to take part in! Learn how to work with metal, paint landscapes and draw like a pro with a variety of different courses. Join us this summer and cultivate a new hobby!

Beginning the week of June 5 at the Art and Design Studios at the Edwardsville campus. Register here. 

Mental Health First Aid For Higher Education:

Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.  This free training, which focuses on the unique experiences and needs of college students, gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.

8 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Monday-Tuesday, July 17-18
Student Success Center, Room 1201

Please email Lisa Thompson-Gibson, associate director of counseling services at lithomp@siue.edu (618-650-2842) to register for the class.  Pre-work and post work will need completed, along with attendance to both days of the class.

Join us for SIUE Alumni and Friends Day at Busch Stadium!

Are you ready to experience the ultimate baseball showdown between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs? Then join us for the SIUE Alumni & Friends Day at Busch Stadium!

Starting at 4:30 p.m., we'll kick off the festivities with a pre-game reception in the Crown Room. Reconnect with fellow alumni and friends while enjoying appetizers and exclusive bar service in the VIP Lounge of the Crown. But the real excitement starts at 6:45 p.m. when the Cardinals and Cubs take the field. Join us in the special SIUE section of Busch Stadium for what is sure to be a great game!

Mark your calendars for Thursday, July 27, and get ready for an unforgettable evening of baseball, networking and fun. Don't wait too long to register though, as spots are filling up fast!

We can't wait to see you there!
Click here to register!

• Wide Range of Talent on Display at SIUE East St. Louis Center for Performing Arts Dance and Music Recital
  The quality and amount of talent in East St. Louis is phenomenal, according to Homer Simmons, program director for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts (PA). 
  
  Simmons gave high praise to the student performers throughout the PA’s Spring 2023 Dance and Music Recital on Thursday, May 17 in the Multipurpose Room on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus. 

• SIUE Upward Bound Programs Partner to Present Community Health Fair
  In stating the obvious, health and wellness is critically important for students, their families and the community, emphasized Christopher Cooper, program director for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s East St. Louis Upward Bound (UB) Programs. 
  
  This fundamental principle is why UB is collaborating with the Community Wellness Project (CWP) in East St. Louis, in conjunction with the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), to present Community Health Fair 2023 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 10 on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus (WHYHEC). 

• SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School Seniors Celebrate – Winning Despite the Odds – During Graduation
  A new account has been written about academic success following the pandemic, courtesy of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School’s (CHS) graduating class of 2023. 
  
  Venessa A. Brown, PhD, associate athletics director for diversity, equity and inclusion, athletics chief diversity officer, professor of social work, former SIUE East St. Louis Center executive director and CHS commencement speaker, recast for graduates a lyrical and empowering soundtrack during the school’s graduation Friday, May 19 on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus in East St. Louis. . 

• Graduates of the 10th Financial Literacy Program Celebrated with Help of SIUE’s Jackie Joyner-Kersee Head Start Center
  

  It’s a relationship that will last a lifetime. The connection with money is also one that Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS), the Jackie Joyner-Kersee (JJK) Foundation and the Associated Bank in East St. Louis want to help people nurture and develop into a tool that brings peace, comfort and joy. 

  The 10^th annual financial literacy commencement ceremony was held Wednesday, May 17 at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center in East St. Louis. The financial literacy course made possible by the JJK Head Start/Early Head Start Center, the JJK Foundation and the Associated Bank, graduated eight students.

• SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School’s Jakailah Hardiman Scholastic Prowess Earns her a Meridian Scholarship
  It was the first days of her freshman year, and Jakailah Hardiman remembers Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School’s (CHS) Colin Neumeyer saying he believed she was going to be a great student.
  
  That was four years ago, and not only is Hardiman CHS’s valedictorian, but she is an SIUE Meridian Scholarship winner.

• SIUE Upward Bound Scholars Academy Students Shine at Awards Program
  It was a glittering night for the Most Improved, Rising Stars, A-T.E.A.M, Outstanding Scholars and more as they paraded across the stage to cheers and applause on Thursday, May 11 during the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Upward Bound Scholars Academy (UBSA) Collinsville High School’s (CHS) Awards Ceremony. 

• SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School Students’ Artistic Abilities on Parade
  Paper Mache of animals fused together, neurographic self-portraits, portrayals of everyday people and celebrities, Zentangle letters, quilling and other art fashioned from the hearts and minds of high schoolers were on display Tuesday during the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School’s (CHS) first Annual Art Showcase and Sale in the Multipurpose Room at the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus.