While summer is usually a time to slow down, the team has spent the past few months laying the groundwork for a full slate of projects connecting students with college and career opportunities across the region. Here’s what they have been building and what’s coming this fall:
Room to Grow and the Highland Pathways to Success Sponsor Summer Camps
Through a partnership between Room to Grow and the Highland Region Pathways to Success, high school students were sponsored to attend residential STEAM Camps at NIU this summer, and grade school students were sponsored to attend Camp Invention at Highland Community College. These sponsorships gave students the opportunity to explore NIU’s campus and engage with STEAM careers. Grade school students also received an introduction to STEM through fun activities.
The Regional Calendar Is Live
After a summer of behind-the-scenes work, a Regional Calendar of Events officially launched in September. Leadership and community partners requested the calendar. The team developed how-to guides for hosting students, guest speakers, job shadowing, and internships, along with sample events and branding materials. Over the coming months, they will spread the word through partner newsletters.
Job Shadow Program Taking Shape
The region’s Job Shadow Program with Northwest Illinois Economic Development (NWILED) is moving forward, including student-employer matching, insurance and liability, and all the necessary forms. Nine partner high schools are participating, and the team aims to finalize the program in October. The first job shadows are expected to take place in spring and summer 2027, giving students a firsthand look at careers in our region.
Transfer Guides and Pathway Documents
The team distributed transfer guides for Highland Community College and Northern Illinois University to counselors across the region’s high school districts. These resources will help students and families identify clear pathways from high school through college and into careers.
Hearing From Counselors
The team launched surveys for counselors and calendar users in July and August. The counselor survey goes out in September, and the calendar survey follows in early November. For now, we’re focusing on high school counselors, and we’ll consider including middle school counselors once outreach at that level is underway.