LINK Newsletter
Get updates on news that matters to you.
Honor the Past & Invest in the Future
A Year-End Reflection as LINK Approaches 60 Years As we enter the winter season and the countdown to our 60th
We’re Hiring
LINK Unlimited Scholars is where hard work meets heart work. We push ourselves because our Scholars deserve nothing less. If
Special Thanks to Our Federal Work Study Students
We’re so grateful for the assistance, support, and hard work we’ve had from our two federal work study students—Jada Ghee
Alumni Spotlight: Taylor Tucker
We’re excited to shine the Alumni Spotlight on Taylor Tucker, class of 2013 from St. Ignatius College Prep. Taylor first
In Case You Missed It
Alumni Town Hall Recap Special thanks to all those who attended our very first Virtual Alumni Town Hall last month!
Welcome New Staff
Please join us in welcoming maría pineda cuevas, our new Manager, Finance & Operations! A proud Santa Ana, California, native
Congrats to Dr. Toinette Gunn!
Our president and CEO, Dr. Toinette Gunn, has been especially active in the community this fall, and we’re thrilled to
New Student Applications Open!
Important Reminder: Our new student application (for the 2026-27 academic year) is open now and will remain open until Sunday,
Discovering Rice University
Rice University in Houston, Texas, held a “Discover Rice” event September 3-5 for college access programs and professionals to visit
Congrats to Maurice Tiner
Shoutout to Maurice Tiner—a 2013 LINK alum and our current Director, Advancement & External Affairs—who was selected for the Class
Alumni Connection
LINK Alumni: Be on the lookout for an alumni virtual townhall this fall! The townhall will be an opportunity to
Alumni Spotlight: Nara Mahone
We’re proud to shine the Alumni Spotlight on Nara Mahone, LINK class of 1998 and a graduate of Saint Benedict
LINK Scholar Applications Open October 3!
We’re thrilled to announce that applications for new LINK Scholars will reopen on Friday, October 3, 2025! We support talented,
LINK Is Hiring
LINK Unlimited Scholars is where hard work meets heart work. We push ourselves because our Scholars deserve nothing less. If
Driving Fore A Difference Success!
For golf lovers, business owners, and community champions alike, our 30th Annual Driving Fore A Difference Golf Outing at Twin
Join Us! Driving Fore a Difference Golf Outing
It’s not too late to get involved in our 30th Annual Driving Fore A Difference Golf Outing at Twin Orchards
New Staff
We’re delighted to welcome Mia Sedory to the LINK team as Coordinator, Advancement & External Affairs. Mia is a recent
Scholar Celebration Recap
What an amazing evening we enjoyed together at The Promontory on Thursday, June 12, as we gathered to celebrate the
In Case You Missed It
Alumni Reception Alumni enjoyed socializing, networking, and connecting over shared experiences at our annual Alumni Reception at The Promontory on
Honoring the Late Jerome “Jerry” Girsch
LINK Unlimited Scholars mourns the January 2025 passing of our longstanding LINK Mentor, board member, and generous donor Jerome “Jerry”
Welcome to New LINK Staff
We are so pleased to welcome new staff member Maurice Tiner to the LINK team! Maurice, our new Director of
LINK’s Annual Impact Report
We are delighted to share with you the 2023-2024 LINK Unlimited Scholars Annual Impact Report. This year’s report celebrates the
Alumni Spotlight: George Ellzey, Jr.
George Ellzey, Jr., a proud LINK alumnus from the Hales Franciscan Class of 2009, has some big news to share!
Dr. Gunn Spreads the Word about LINK
Dr. Gunn always enjoys the opportunity to get in front of Chicago businesses to share her personal story as well
Dr. Gunn Recognized as a Chicago Defender 2025 Woman of Excellence
A big congratulations to our very own LINK President and CEO Dr. Toinette Gunn, who was recently recognized as a
LINK Is Moving!
We are so grateful for your participation with LINK Unlimited Scholars! Thanks to the dedication and success of our High
Mentor/Alumni Spotlight
This month, we’re proud to shine the spotlight on Jamere Walton, a LINK alum (Class of 2009) who has joined
Congratulations!
Congratulations to our very own LINK President and CEO, Dr. Toinette Gunn, who was selected as a 2025 Chicago Defender
Alumni Spotlight
We’re proud to shine this month’s Alumni Spotlight on Maurice Tiner, LINK Class of ’13. A graduate of Holy Trinity
Special Thanks!
As we move through the first quarter of our new fiscal year, we’d like to take a moment to look
Welcome to New Staff
We’re thrilled to welcome three new staff members to the LINK team: Michael Happ, VP, Advancement; Alexandria Cummings, VP, Programs
Cool LINK Video
Check out this video about LINK’s history and legacy! We’re so proud of our impact in helping our Scholars to,
Alumni News
Fun at a Chicago Sky Game LINK Collegiate Scholars Keniah Cooper and Natalia Rene attended a Chicago Sky game with
Dr. Toinette Gunn Named Crain’s Chicago Notable Black Leader
Congratulations to our own Dr. Toinette Gunn, President and CEO of LINK Unlimited Scholars, for being named to Crain’s Chicago
Please Support Our Spring Appeal
We’re nearing the end of our fiscal year, and we’d love to have your support in the final push of
New Alumni Facebook Group
We’re excited to let you know that we now have a LINK Alumni Group on Facebook! Please join the group



































