East St. Louis Center

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) staff have started their school year with an empowering, creative and vital challenge – “Reimagine.” 

“SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start has successfully served families in the Metro East for more than 40 years,” said Program Director Carolyn Jason. “We have pivoted to meet the growing needs of children and families and shifted to address the changing circumstances, both inside...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) students eagerly participated in hands-on lessons that demonstrated the hard work that comes with informing and entertaining the public. 

The CHS Media Literacy class visited SIUE’s Department of Mass Communications on Thursday, Sept. 7. Students toured the University’s television broadcasting studios, WSIE FM 88.7 The Sound Radio Station and the Alestle newspaper. 

“We wanted to show...

A nurse. A professor. An administrator. A diversity champion. These descriptors define the engaging, multi-faceted and impressive career of SIUE’s Jerrica Ampadu, PhD, RN, CCP, associate professor in the SIUE School of Nursing (SON) and director of the SIUE WE CARE Clinic in East St. Louis. 

“As a nurse and scholar, I have the best of both worlds. I get to teach students and directly impact the healthcare of my community,” said Ampadu, a native of East St. Louis. &#1...

When they walk into the room, many of their patients wrestle with two emotions – disbelief and delight. But joy wins out.  

“Many of our patients have not had a dedicated healthcare provider whom they can also identify with,” said Myjal Garner, DNP, FNP, at the SIUE School of Nursing’s (SON) WE CARE Clinic in East St. Louis. “They are ecstatic to see someone who looks like them.”  

“Our patients thank us, because they feel seen and ...

The 6-foot, 3-inch Army veteran works the room with grace, style and ease. He’s both networking with agencies and helping his friend find resources and opportunities. 

Vincent Strode and Johnnie Crook, both of East St. Louis, were two of many who attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) Resource Fair on Thursday, Aug. 24 in Building B on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus (WHYHEC). 

“I was sur...

Helping veterans find employment, educational opportunities, housing and counseling services were just some of the things discussed at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) Open House on Wednesday, Aug.16. 

Representatives from more than 10 agencies and organizations in the St. Louis and Metro East area met to talk and network on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus (WHYHEC). 

“People are still coming out o...

LaVont Suggs was nervous when he was in the car, but once the high school sophomore walked inside of the building, and saw and felt all the excitement, his anxious feelings gave way to good ones. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) enthusiastically welcomed scholars back to the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 14 with its annual “Red Carpet Day” that included fanfare, introductions and orientations. 

“It was overwhelming. ...

The week was full of dissecting frogs, making “elephant toothpaste,” operating drones and more, and the students couldn’t have been happier. Eight eager learners participated in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s (ESLC) inaugural Middle School Scholars STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Program from Monday-Friday, July 24-28. 

“We were pleased to offer middle school students an introduction to STEM curri...

Before the program, she was very bashful and was looking for support. Afterwards, Collinsville High School senior Lessly Rodriguez-Garcia was noticeably more social and confident. 

According to Rodriguez-Garcia, she improved on many levels after participating for the past three years in SIUE’s Upward Bound Scholars Academy (UBSA) at Collinsville High School (CHS). 

“I used to be extremely shy and over time this program has helped me get over it,” confided Rodri...

It may appear to be a job to some, but to SIUE’s Christopher Cooper, he is operating in his “God-given” talent to serve as a mentor to youth and to help shape and mold their minds.

“It’s a joy to see the greatness in children, although they don’t usually see it in themselves,” said Cooper, program director for the SIUE TRIO Upward Bound EC/MLC Programs.     

“I haven’t come across a generation of students I haven&#8...

From the first electric dance number of Beyonce’s “Who Runs the World” to instrumental offerings of “Blue Bossa” by Joe Henderson, the stirring rendering of “Lovely” by Billie Elish and Khalid, and the grand musical and dance finale of “All Around the World,” Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts (PA) students delighted their audience from start to finish. 

Students delivered a theatrica...

When it comes to elementary students better understanding science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education, several adolescents lent their abilities and skills to help further the valuable and crucial objective. 

Students from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s TRIO Upward Bound (UB) EC/MLC programs participated in a STEAM Education Community Service learning project with students, (grades K-3) at ASP2 (A Special Place) STEAM Academy in Belleville. Th...

Students and their families made their way in the hot temperatures on Friday, July 14 to participate in a critical activity to help save lives. 

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s TRIO Upward Bound (UB) EC/MLC Programs held its fourth annual blood drive operated by ImpactLife Blood Center of Earth City, Mo., at the Wyvetter H. Young Higher Education Campus. 

“Every year the students are charged with how they can give back to the community,” said Akiya Perry...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Upward Bound Scholars Academy (UBSA) students got an overview of what it would be like to be an SIUE Cougar on their first day of summer camp.

Eighteen UBSA students from Collinsville High School (CHS) started their five-week residential summer program on Thursday, June 1, on the Edwardsville campus, according to Letrice “Lee” Young, EdD, program coordinator for SIUE’s CORE T.E.A.M. (College Readiness: Transition, Engage, Achieve and...

The advantages of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’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, find ways for them to get to college and helps them discover their college interests or area of study,” tallied Mazyun, a Cahokia High School student who has been in the UB Madison/Lovejoy/Cahokia (MLC) program for fo...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Upward Bound Scholars Academy (UBSA) students briefly entered the world of product design, production planning and more during SIUE’s inaugural Industrial Engineering (IE) Summer Institute, held Monday-Friday, June 12-16 and hosted by the University’s IE department. 

“This program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of various essential topics in the field of industrial engineering,” said Sinan Onal...

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 Healt...

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...

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. 

The students, ages 6-17, lived up to the acclaim as they danced,...

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 f...

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. The Meridian Scholarship is a four-year, tuition, fees, room and board paid award. Hardiman also won a full ride to Saint Louis Univer...

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. 

“I was just trying to do my best. I was surprised to learn I was the valedictorian,” said Keira Winterich, UBSA senior. Winterich’s grade point avera...

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. 

“Our students have shown great artistic...

The harsh reality is that all grocery stores are not created equal – even when they are part of the same chain. This is part of the broad, bleak and ugly scope of food inequities, according to Bobby Smith II, PhD, interdisciplinary sociologist and food justice advocate, who visited the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) on Thursday, April 13. 

Smith, an assistant professor in the Department of African American Studies at the University ...

From scholarship opportunities, to enrolling in early childhood education courses to getting a tuition-free degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, would-be teachers were treated to a collaborative preschool education career fair on Monday, April 17 in the Multipurpose Room at the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus. 

“We want potential teacher candidates to see what our SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS), SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavi...