Mission

The African American Academic Network promotes success and high impact engagement for students of African descent through comprehensive advising, developmental programming, student advocacy and structured learning experiences within an inclusive community.

Students who participate in AAAN programming will graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago as highly engaged leaders prepared to contribute to a global society.

AAAN’s core values can be summed up in what is called the 4 E’s. AAAN’s core values are the foundation for the units of AAAN and the programming that AAAN does. Every AAAN staff person is committed to not only exemplifying the 4 E’s but also fostering these values in our students.

  • Engage We engage our scholars with a culturally competent lens that acknowledges and celebrates their social and personal identities.

  • Educate We educate our scholars through unique learning opportunities that encourage multiple dimensions of development.

  • Enlighten Our programming and services enlighten and transform scholars, augments their campus experience, and successfully leads them toward graduation.

  • Empower Through our services, we empower our scholars to achieve their highest ambitions with a commitment to serve as agents of positive change.