During PCC’s event presenting, Seamless Success: Transforming College Transfer in Illinois, Salvador Delgado shared his experience transferring institutions.
My name is Salvador Delgado, and I am a full-time graduate student and a professional with the Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office at Chicago Public Schools. But my journey here wasn’t linear, and that’s exactly why I believe in the power of second chances, student support, and institutions that meet people where they are.
I started my college journey at a predominantly white institution, full of hope but not fully prepared for the transition. I quickly realized that this institution was not a good fit. Like many first-generation students, I struggled, and eventually, I dropped out. That experience could’ve ended my academic path, but it didn’t.
After working for a year, I found my footing again at Harold Washington College. There, I enrolled in the paralegal studies program and became part of something much larger than coursework. Through programs like One Million Degrees and TRIO, I had access to mentorship, academic advising, and the emotional support that helped me rebuild my confidence. These programs didn’t just help me stay in school; they helped me thrive.
An apprenticeship connected to my studies led to a full-time job in the legal field. It was there that I learned how powerful opportunity and guidance could be, especially for students who don’t follow a traditional path. But even with a good job, I knew I had more to accomplish. I chose to resign and return to school full-time to finish my bachelor’s in public policy at UIC, another minority-serving institution that affirmed my identity and my goals. UIC had programs like LARES and its own TRIO department that continued to provide access and support.
Today, I’m balancing graduate studies with a full-time role at CPS, working to promote equity and fairness across the district. None of this would’ve been possible without the support I received at key moments of my life, from institutions like Harold Washington and UIC, and programs like TRIO and OMD that understand the lived experiences of first-gen, low-income, and minority students.
My story is not unique, but it is proof that when we invest in student support, we’re not just helping people graduate, we’re empowering them to lead, to give back, and to open doors for others.
About Salvador Delgado
Salvador Delgado is a public policy professional and EOCO Investigator at Chicago Public Schools, where he focuses on civil rights compliance and equity in education. With a background spanning the public and nonprofit sectors, his work has included modernizing federal HR policies and leading grassroots housing justice campaigns across Chicago.
Salvador’s experience includes roles at the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, and ONE Northside. He holds a B.A. in Public Policy from the University of Illinois, Chicago and an A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies. A proud alum of leadership programs such as HACU’s Leader-in-Residence and the Pipeline to Justice Scholar Program, Salvador is committed to advancing equity through legal insight, policy innovation, and community engagement.
