The methodologies may have changed over the last few decades, but the purpose remains clear: in working to become a valued member of the communities in which it resides, Illinois Institute of Technology aims to channel the passion, commitment, and talent of the students in Bronzeville and other South Side neighborhoods in Chicago through pre-college programs.

In the past, those programs brought students to campus over the summer for academic and athletics activities that were led by members of the Illinois Tech community. Now, with the development of the DevUp Scholars program, Illinois Tech is providing an interactive three-year program to expose high school students to STEM and entrepreneurship, to connect them with mentors, and to prepare them to pursue STEM majors and careers.

Cutline: In this undated photo, students from Bronzeville look at a water cannon on a trip to a fire boat in Chicago led by Illinois Tech staff (photo courtesy of University Archives and Special Collections)