HOPE CHICAGO
GoalGetters Conference
July 7-10, 2026
The 2026 GoalGetters Conference begins Tuesday, July 7th for Cohorts 0-4 Hope Scholars and continues July 8-10th for Cohort 5 Hope Scholars.
Attending Hope Scholars, please do not forget…
to bring your photo identification(A State ID, Driver's License, High School ID, or College ID will work. The ID needs to include your picture and your name.)
to bring a FULLY charged cell phone or small tablet.
to make your travel plans ahead of your attending days. Public transit is recommended, and paid parking is available, but it is first come, first serve.
Conference Location:
Illinois Institute of Technology
Hermann Hall
Building Address:
3241 S Federal St, Chicago, IL 60616
Plan Your Visit
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Taking a public transit option to the GoalGetters Conference is recommended. Hermann Hall is easily accessible via the following Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) service routes:
Sox-35th RED LINE Station
35th-Bronzeville-IIT GREEN LINE Station
#29 State Street Bus
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There is no centralized parking lot to support this event. If you plan on driving, please research available street parking and nearby paid parking lots ahead of your attendance day(s).
Please also remember that the Chicago White Sox will be hosting home games all week during the GoalGetters Conference, which will impact general parking availability in the area.
Event Disclaimer:
The 2026 GoalGetters Conference is not a public event. Only Hope Scholars, Hope Parent Scholars, Hope Chicago Families, Hope Chicago’s Partners, and approved event volunteers/supporters will be allowed entry.
Daily Information and
Schedules
July 7, 2026
July 7, 2026 Details
Cohort 0-4 Hope Scholars
8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Headshots, Career Fair, and Workshops
Required attendance for Cohort 2 and 3 Hope Scholars not on target pace.
First-year Hope Scholars do not attend this day.
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9:45 a.m. Welcome - Auditorium
10:15 a.m. Graduation Roadmap - Hermann Hall 002
11:00 a.m. Career Activities Being
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9:45 a.m. Welcome - Auditorium
10:15 a.m. Graduation Roadmap - Wishnick Hall 113
11:00 a.m. Career Activities Begin
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8:30 a.m. Registration / Welcome - Flag Hallway
9:45 a.m. Expectations - Siegel Hall 118
10:15 a.m. Graduation Roadmap - Siegel Hall 118
11:00 a.m. Career Activities Begin
Career Activies Schedule
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Industries: Egineering, Education, Healthcare
11:00 a.m. Near Pear
11:45 a.m. Career Dreamer
12:30 p.m. Career Fair
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Industries: Non-Profit, Tech, Gov Affairs
11:00 a.m. Career Fair
11:45 a.m. Near Pear
12:30 p.m. Career Dreamer
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Industries: Law, Finance/Business, Marketing/Media
11:00 a.m. Career Dreamer
11:45 a.m. Career Fair
12:30 p.m. Near Pear
Need help leading up to the conference?
Email support@hopechicago.org
July 8-10, 2026
Cohort 5
(Class of 2026 HS Graduates)
Two Days Required
Day 1, July 8 or 9: Your Registered Morning or Afternoon Program
Day 1 Options: July 8 or July 9
Morning Program - 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Afternoon Program - 1 to 5 p.m.
Day 2, July 10: All Cohort 5 Scholars
Group 1 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Group 2 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Day 1 - Hope Scholar Schedules
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8 a.m. - Registration - Flag Hallway
9 a.m. - Opening Remarks - Auditorium
9:45 a.m. - HC Portal - Herman Hall 002
10:55 a.m. - College Panel - Siegel Hall 118
12 p.m. - Swag & Depart - Siegel Hall 118 -
8 a.m. - Registration - Flag Hallway
9 a.m. - Opening Remarks - Auditorium
9:45 a.m. - HC Portal - Herman Hall 010
10:55 a.m. - College Panel - Wishnick Hall 113
12 p.m. - Swag & Depart - Wishnick Hall 113 -
8 a.m. - Registration - Flag Hallway
9 a.m. - Opening Remarks - Auditorium
9:45 a.m. - College Panel - Siegel Hall 118
10:55 a.m. - HC Portal - Hermann Hall 002
12 p.m. - Swag & Depart - Hermann Hall 002 -
8 a.m. - Registration - Flag Hallway
9 a.m. - Opening Remarks - Auditorium
9:45 a.m. - College Panel - Wishnick Hall 113
10:55 a.m. - HC Portal - Hermann Hall 010
12 p.m. - Swag & Depart - Hermann Hall 010
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1 p.m. - Registration - Flag Hallway
2 p.m. - Opening Remarks - Auditorium
2:45 p.m. - HC Portal - Herman Hall 002
3:55 p.m. - College Panel - Siegel Hall 118
5 p.m. - Swag & Depart - Siegel Hall 118 -
1 p.m. - Registration - Flag Hallway
2 p.m. - Opening Remarks - Auditorium
2:45 p.m. - HC Portal - Herman Hall 010
3:55 p.m. - College Panel - Wishnick Hall 113
5 p.m. - Swag & Depart - Wishnick Hall 113 -
1 p.m. - Registration - Flag Hallway
2 p.m. - Opening Remarks - Auditorium
2:45 p.m. - College Panel - Siegel Hall 118
3:55 p.m. - HC Portal - Hermann Hall 002
12 p.m. - Swag & Depart - Hermann Hall 002 -
1 p.m. - Registration - Flag Hallway
2 p.m. - Opening Remarks - Auditorium
2:45 p.m. - College Panel - Wishnick Hall 113
3:55 p.m. - HC Portal - Hermann Hall 010
5 p.m. - Swag & Depart - Hermann Hall 010
Day 2 - Hope Scholar Schedules
(Arrival times based on attending In-Network Universities)
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In-Network Meetings in Group 1
City College of Chicago
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Roosevelt University
Western Illinois University
Lewis University
Elmhurst University
Lake Forest College
Illinois Tech
Chicago State University
Northeastern Illinois University
Illinois State University
GROUP 1 SCHEDULE
8 a.m. - Registration
9 a.m. - College Meetings
11 a.m. - College Meetings Conclude
11:15 a.m. - Pep Rally
12 p.m. - Swag & Pay Cards -
In-Network Meetings in Group 2
University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Springfield
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
National Louis University
Eastern Illinois University
Dominican University
Northern Illinois University
Out-of-Network Scholars
GROUP 2 SCHEDULE
10:30 a.m. - Registration
11:15 a.m. - Pep Rally
12:15 p.m. - College Meetings
2:25 p.m. - College Meetings Conclude
2:30 p.m. - Swag & Pay Cards
Need help leading up to the conference?
Email support@hopechicago.org
Parents Daily Schedules
July 8 & 9, 2026
Registration - Flag Hallway
Opening Remarks- Auditorium
How To Support Your Scholar (Español) - Ballroom
How To Support Your Scholar(Span) - Expo
Parent Program Overview (Español) - Ballroom
Parent Program Overview (Español) - Expo
1:1 Meeting Sign Ups
Morning/Afternoon Agendas