i.c.stars |* - Press Releases

2008 i.c.stars Capitalize Event: Thank You for Your Support

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:18:00 -0500

Release Date:
Tue, 2008-07-22 16:00

For immediate release:

By Sandee Kastrul, i.c.stars President & Co-Founder

The sky is the limit, but the recent Capitalize on Illinois event was above and beyond what i.c.stars could have expected.

A complete success, the event brought i.c.stars board members, alumni and volunteers together with C-level IT executives from all over Chicago and Illinois. While we had planned for 20 tables, we ended up with 37 High Tea tables brimming with various discussions pertaining to the IT workforce. We’re proud of the fact that at least one alum from every one of our cycles was present at the event, eager to meet and learn from those working in the IT industry; and we’re grateful to the executives for taking the time to share their experiences and insights.

i.c.stars Announce CPS Summer Internship for Future Entrepreneurs

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:42:32 -0500

Release Date:
Thu, 2008-06-26 13:00

For immediate release:

i.c.stars, home of the BLT (business leadership and technology) training program, sponsored by Office Depot to host and train nine CPS juniors this summer in a six-week entrepreneurial boot camp internship

SEMPO Institute, i.c.stars, and SIM Partners Align to Create Career Opportunities

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:10:41 -0500

Release Date:
Tue, 2008-06-10 14:00

For immediate release:

High School Graduates Given Training and Jobs in the Growing Industry of Search Engine Marketing

Wakefield, MA, June 17, 2008 - Organization like i.c.stars, www.icstars.org, find the continued troubling economic news can impact on its ability to achieve its goal of helping young adults become community leaders in Chicago. This not-for-profit organization uses project-based learning and full immersion teaching for future leaders to develop business and technology knowledge.

IT Community to Explore Economic Trends Affecting the Local Technology Workforce at ‘Capitalize on Illinois’ Event

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:03:57 -0500

Release Date:
Thu, 2008-04-24 13:00

For immediate release:

200 Chicago IT Executives, i.c.stars alumni, sponsors and board members to discuss
key IT workforce capabilities, network and more

Chicago, IL (April 24, 2008) — Members of the Chicago Information Technology (IT) community are set to gather on Thursday, May 1, to discuss global trends affecting the IT workforce, meet i.c.stars alumni, sponsors and board members, and learn about the i.c.stars internship program while being immersed in the group’s innovative culture.

Long-time Supporter Geneca Increases Commitment to Future Technology Leaders with $30K Contribution to i.c.stars

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 20:26:26 -0600

Release Date:
Wed, 2008-02-13 02:00

For immediate release:

Chicago, IL (February 13, 2008) — Geneca, a custom software development company, announced today a $30,000 contribution to i.c.stars, a non-profit organization that provides IT career programs to inner city young adults, in 2008.

Theresa Riley joins i.c.stars as Director of Career Services

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 01:44:38 -0600

Release Date:
Fri, 2007-02-16 07:00

For immediate release:

Theresa Riley joins i.c.stars as Director of Career Services

CHICAGO (February 16, 2007) – i.c.stars, a leading non-profit organization shaping the next generation of technology leaders, announced today that Theresa Riley has joined the team in a newly created position of Director of Career Services. Riley, a seasoned not-for-profit, corporate and technology industry executive, will be responsible for facilitating the placement of the expanding i.c.stars graduates and alumni, maintaining relationships with employer recruiters, developing and orientating volunteers, developing interns and alumni career paths, supporting community relations efforts and developing and sustaining new program initiatives, including Bridges.

i.c.stars Launches Scholarship Fund with $25,000 Donation from Geneca.

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 10:32:12 -0600

Release Date:
Mon, 2007-01-15 14:00

For immediate release:

i.c.stars Launches Scholarship Fund with $25,000 Donation from Geneca. DePaul partnership seen as a catalyst for i.c.stars scholarship fundraising

Chicago (January 15, 2007) – i.c.stars, a non-profit technology training organization developing 1,000 community leaders by 2020, today launched a scholarship fund for alumni of the program. Thanks to a generous donation of $25,000 from custom software development firm Geneca with $7,000 designated for scholarships, two alums each year will be awarded scholarships based on their contributions to the community and embodiment of the i.c.stars vision.

The Geeks Come Out at Night: IT Professionals Live It Up

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 16:46:05 -0500

Release Date:
Mon, 2006-10-23 21:00

For immediate release:

Contact Person:
Eric Lannert
p.312.640.3782
c.773.251.6362
eric@icstars.org
212 w. superior ste 300
Chicago, IL 60610

October 23, 2006

The Geeks Come Out at Night: IT Professionals Live It Up

Governors State University Workshop Creates Network of Computer Science Educators

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 16:45:01 -0500

Release Date:
Thu, 2006-10-19 21:00

For immediate release:

University Park, October 19, 2006 – How to effectively meet the increasing demand for well-educated and experienced computer scientists and to encourage greater participation by minority students were the subjects of a daylong workshop sponsored by Governors State University and the National Science Foundation.

I.C.STARS ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 01:01:52 -0500

Release Date:
Wed, 2006-10-18 06:00

For immediate release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IC STARS ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
The Honorable Brigid McGrath Transitions Chairperson Role to Director David Ormesher

CHICAGO, IL (October 17, 2006) – i.c. stars, a not-for-profit organization based in Chicago that provides technology training programs to inner city young adults, announced today that its board of directors recently transitioned the role of chairperson to director David Ormesher, founder and CEO of closerlook, a marketing solutions firm in Chicago. The Honorable Brigid McGrath (Circuit Court Judge of Cook County) has been the Chairwoman of the board since the organization’s founding in 1999.

Announcing the publication of “Write The Future�?

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 12:48:34 -0600

Release Date:
Thu, 2006-06-01 05:00

For immediate release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Announcing the publication of “Write The Future�?

Chicago (June 1, 2006) – i.c.stars is pleased to announce the publication of “Write The Future�?, the latest installment in its annual series of papers discussing the issues and challenges facing the IT workforce. This year, the paper addresses:

i.c.stars Co-founder Sandee Kastrul Appointed New President

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 01:00:05 -0500

Release Date:
Tue, 2003-03-11 21:00

For immediate release:

Media Contacts:
Sandee Kastrul: phone (312) 640-3851 or e-mail skastrul@icstars.org
Leslie Beller: phone (312) 640-3852 or e-mail lbeller@icstars.org
i.c.stars Co-founder Sandee Kastrul Appointed New President
Organization innovates to shape the next generation of technology professionals
CHICAGO, March 11, 2003 – i.c.stars, a not-for-profit organization that provides technology training and
leadership development for Chicago’s inner-city young adults, announced that Sandee Kastrul has been
appointed President, effective as of March 3, 2003.
Ms. Kastrul and Leslie Beller, former president and co-founder of i.c.stars, together integrated
the simulation-based educational model created by Kastrul into the program. This model has become
the nucleus of all i.c.stars programs. Prior to Kastrul’s role as President, she was charged with refining
and managing the curriculum training for i.c.stars student interns. Each semester she ensured that
team building, culture and learning style were customized to each class of interns.
"Sandee’s expertise in cross-curricular integration strategies, diversity training and curriculum
development will give i.c.stars the strategic direction required for this position," said Brigid McGrath,
founding i.c.stars board member and recently elected board chair. "Her strong ties to the Chicago
community and i.c.stars alumni will help take the organization to the next level."
Leslie Beller will continue to drive i.c.stars’ mission through her new social media venture that
employs integrated marketing to drive social change and economic development for both corporate and
community clients.
"We saw early on that the negative perceptions and low expectations of inner-city youth would
limit our graduates’ market opportunity. By bringing i.c.stars interns and business executives together in
meaningful relationships we were able to transform these negative stereotypes into leadership and value
models," said Beller.
In her new role, Kastrul will lead the i.c.stars long-term strategic plan to enhance current
education offerings and move toward a self-sustaining financial model. These offerings will provide
i.c.stars alumni with continuing education, mentoring, career guidance, placement services, venture
capital, and executive coaching throughout their career path, as well as help them with community
organizing to achieve social and economic freedom in Chicago's inner-city neighborhoods.
"We’re making a tremendous impact on the communities of Chicago by leveraging the
leadership abilities of our graduates. Our alumni are starting companies, working for community based
organizations, and securing careers with industry leaders including W.W. Grainger, Allstate, and
Microsoft," said Kastrul, president of i.c.stars.
Prior to i.c.stars, Kastrul spent a decade implementing a professional development program with
Harold Washington College Career Center and designing a comprehensive science and civics
interactive program for GED students at Jobs for Youth.
About i.c.stars
i.c.stars was founded to break the reproducing cycle of poverty that limits the ability of oppressed
persons to advance as leaders and alter the social and economic conditions of society. Our goal is to
empower resilient individuals from Chicago’s inner city with the social, financial and intellectual capital
necessary for acknowledged leadership. Our objectives focus on delivering programs and services that
increase the viability of resilient inner city young adults’ entrance and retention in leadership building
opportunities.

i.c. stars and Modularis Partner to Deliver the Latest Technology Training to Inner City Young Adults

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:59:33 -0500

Release Date:
Tue, 2004-08-17 21:00

For immediate release:

Contacts:
Eric Lannert, i.c. stars
(312) 640-3782

Gery M. Knapp, Modularis
(312) 648-1740 x208

i.c. stars and Modularis Partner to Deliver the Latest Technology Training to Inner City Young Adults

i.c.stars Joins BMC Software to Establish Leading Technology Solutions for Chicago Area Community Based Organizations

Mon, 20 Feb 2006 12:10:22 -0600

Release Date:
Tue, 2005-07-05 00:00

For immediate release:

Alliance expands the i.c.stars curriculum and helps address challenges facing community organizations

CHICAGO (July 5, 2005) – i.c.stars, an innovative non-profit internship program in its fifth year providing training in leadership and technology for inner-city young adults, today announced its alliance with BMC Software to develop vital technology solutions for Chicago area community organizations.

Thressa Thomas joins i.c.stars as Director of Community and Client Relations

Tue, 18 Jul 2006 21:18:02 -0500

Release Date:
Tue, 2005-04-19 08:00

For immediate release:

i.c.stars Expands Recruiting and Outreach Efforts in Chicago Communities

Thressa Thomas joins i.c.stars as Director of Community and Client Relations

CHICAGO (April 19, 2005) – i.c.stars, a leading non-profit organization shaping the next generation of technology leaders, announced today that Thressa Thomas has joined the team in a newly created position of Director of Community and Client Relations. Thomas, a seasoned not-for-profit, corporate and technology industry executive, will be responsible for overseeing and expanding i.c.stars recruiting and community partnership initiatives.