The most effective change is grounded in the experiences of and inputs from those most impacted by any system. The Network Organizers—Advance Illinois, Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University (EdSystems), and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)—established a Student Advisory Council to gather feedback on how students experience various initiatives that the Network supports. Network Organizers also seek to understand what kinds of supports would be helpful to students as they navigate the education system.
The Council gathers on a regular basis to share their perspectives to inform the Success Network’s efforts and statewide policy more broadly, deepen their own knowledge on issues that advance educational equity, and strengthen their understanding of the education policy and practice landscape in Illinois.
The Student Advisory Council members are expected to participate in up to three virtual meetings per academic year. Council members who are unable to attend meetings should notify the Network Director in advance. Members who miss more than two meetings over the course of the academic year and/or are unable to actively participate may be asked to step down to ensure the Council has functional student input.
In addition to the three virtual meetings per year, council members are encouraged to attend the Success Network’s annual conference as possible to increase their familiarity with the Network and its mission.
The Illinois Education and Career Success Network seeks Student Advisory Council members who reflect the diversity of students in the State. The ideal member embodies the following:
The Network typically accepts new applications at the start of the school year. Applications are currently closed.
Membership in the Student Advisory Council is a two-year commitment. Upon completion of a term, members in good standing who are still in high school will be invited to renew for a consecutive term. To ensure continuity, members are selected from all grade levels. To be in good standing, members are expected to attend virtual meetings or communicate conflicts in advance. The Network Director will work with members to identify dates and times that work best around school year schedules.
SAC members provided thoughtful insights on their course selection and advising experiences, plus shared their perspectives on high school graduation, college enrollment, and community college remediation data from the Illinois School Report Card.
Network Organizers challenged the students to come up with creative ways to share state resources for making a post-high school plan with peers at their schools. The SAC members rose to the challenge! Take a look.
The Student Advisory Council gathered for its final meeting of the 2021-2022 school year to discuss work-based learning, networking, and dual credit, plus send off the Class of 2022.
In our May 2021 meeting of the Student Advisory Council, the departing seniors shared lessons learned and future plans with the underclassmen members. Check out their insights!
In the May 2021 convening of the Student Advisory Council, Juan Jose Gonzalez of Education Systems Center at NIU introduced the concept of the living wage and shared resources for learning more about career opportunities that meet the living wage threshold.
The Student Advisory Council developed creative ways to share the ISAC Student Portal and the Illinois Postsecondary Profiles tools with their fellow students. Check them out!
