Flames Leadership Network coaches students to succeed in college
Flames Leadership Network coaches students to succeed in college
Valeria Silva will graduate from UIC this year and is looking forward to earning her master’s degree in psychology.
Another student, Steven Zuniga, has a job waiting for him at a top accounting firm in the city after he graduates in May.
Third-year computer science major Oluwatimisire Lawal is considering attending graduate school after he graduates.
What the three students have in common is that they are part of UIC’s Flames Leadership Network, or FLN, which pairs students with coaches during their first year.
“It made me feel really comfortable coming in and just feel like I was part of UIC,” Silva said.
Since its inception eight years ago, 4,000 UIC students have been part of the nationally recognized program. Beginning with 77 students, the program now selects 500 students each year, said Nikos Varelas, senior vice provost for academic programs, student success and effectiveness.
The program, in UIC’s Academic Center for Excellence, has a staff of four full-time coaches who have experience working with young adults in nonprofit organizations, high schools and colleges. It was designed to provide holistic support for incoming first-year students and promote their academic success.
“High-quality coaching is at the center of the program, providing students with a guiding hand to help them maximize their potential and reach their goals,” said Varelas.
Students receive a $300 per-semester stipend in their first year to use at their discretion. In exchange, students must meet regularly with their coach and participate in monthly workshops on academic skills, time management and test-taking. Additionally, they participate in career and community-building events.