Welcome to another episode of First Up! In this special episode we are joined by ISAC's Community Outreach Specialist, Paul Oliver, to share a few suggestions and safety tips for our high school and college students going on spring break. We hope these suggestions and tips are helpful! 

Have a question or story you'd like to share? Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of First Up, our host have a candid conversation about being a commuter student in comparison to being a residential student living on campus. This conversation features ISAC's training and development specialists Ana Moya, and Salma Uribe. We hope you enjoy this episode! 

If you are a recent college graduate and interested in joining the ISACorps, please visit https://www.isac.org/jointheisacorps

In today's episode of First Up, our host Brian speaks with third year college student, Dejan Drasko. During the interview, Dejan discussed his experience as a first-generation college student, how pivotal Esports was to his college transition, and the importance of asking for help.

~Esports, short for electronic sports refers to competitive video gaming.

In today's episode of First Up, one of our hosts has an open conversation with a family member who went away for college but continued to set an example from afar. Our guest Kasia Redding, J.D., is a first-generation professional who attended Tougaloo College, a private historically black college.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were founded in the 19th and 20th centuries to offer Black Americans opportunities to earn college degrees when, at the time, most predominantly white institutions (PWIs) refused to admit them. Several HBCUs started as colleges of education, intending for graduates to go on to teach Black Americans at all grade levels.

In today's episode of First Up, our host speak with current educator and former BAM Regional Manager and Counselor, DeKevious Wilson, to discuss his experience moving to Illinois to follow his family's passion for teaching and helping others. We hope you enjoy!

Youth Guidance’s Becoming A Man® program (BAM®) is a school-based group counseling program that guides young men in 6-12th grades to learn, internalize and practice social cognitive skills, make responsible decisions for their future and become positive members of their school and community. 

We’ll be back next with a full episode week on Wednesday; February 19th so tune in then! Below you will find resources mentioned in this episode.

https://howwefeel.org./

“How We Feel”, a free app designed by scientist to help people find the right words to describe how they feel.

Life as a QuaranTEEN: Youth Mental Health Post-Pandemic - FAN 

In a youth-centered, youth-moderated conversation, New York Times columnist and American Psychological Association thought leader, Dr. Lisa Damour, will outline strategies young people, and those who care for them, can use to support their mental health.

In this episode of First Up, our host speak with the Director of the School of Education at the University of Illinois Springfield, Dr. Beth Hatt. Dr. Hatt's research interests center 1) the cultural production of smartness and identity, 2) restorative practices and leadership, 3) the school to prison pipeline and 4) funds of knowledge curriculum development. Her research has been widely cited and she has been highly sought after to provide professional development P-20 on culturally responsive and equity based educational practice.

Are you a student interested in studying abroad? If so, this episode is for you! Join our host as they interview first year ISACorps member, Niah Dobbins. In this episode Niah shares her experience studying abroad, the benefits of learning new cultures, and the reality of culture shock.

In this episode of First Up, our host are joined by ISAC's Assistant Director of College Access Services, Kim Korando, to discuss what it was like being first generation and growing up in Southern Illinois. We hope you enjoy!

"What's your marshmallow" refers to the marshmallow test, a study that measures a person's ability to delay gratification. 

In this special episode of First Up, our host attend an open house where they hear from different divisions of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). In this round table talk, we get to hear from several people, and we also did some rapid-fire questions that we think you'll enjoy!

Top Holiday Movie Choices:

1)The Grinch 2)Home Alone 3)Diehard & Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer