Ikram Mohamed

Ikram is a former intern who covered education for the Tribune.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez speaks during an event launching Chicago Roadmap 2.0, a higher education partnership, on April 22, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

CPS chief Pedro Martinez tapped to be Massachusetts education commissioner

April 22, 2025 at 8:47 p.m.

CPS chief Pedro Martinez was tapped to become the next commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

People kneel in prayer during a regularly scheduled Mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago on April 21, 2025, following the announcement of Pope Francis’ death. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

‘Blessed to be part of his time as pope’: Cardinal Blase Cupich joins Chicago area in mourning Pope Francis’ death

April 21, 2025 at 8:45 p.m.

Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, prayed that "God comfort us" following the death of Pope Francis. Cupich will be among those electing the next pope.

After writing their hopes on pieces of cloth attendees place them on a piece of string while attending a rally to protest the Trump administration’s recent revocation of student visas for international students at the University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Northwestern University on April 17, 2025, in Evanston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Federal cuts, threats fuel protests at Northwestern and UIC

April 18, 2025 at 9:48 a.m.

Students and faculty protest funding freezes, criticize university responses to Trump administration’s crackdowns on campus speech as part of nationwide demonstrations Thursday.

Sculptor Lorado Taft's bronze Alma Mater statue on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus. (Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune)

University of Illinois System launches pilot program to boost community college transfers

April 2, 2025 at 1:35 p.m.

The University of Illinois System announced the launch of a pilot program aimed to increase the number of students transferring from community colleges to four-year universities.

Josue Sandoval, a visually impaired senior at Brooks High School in Chicago, is embraced by his father Jose Sandoval after throwing out ceremonial first pitch before the White Sox game at Rate Field in Chicago on March 31, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

CPS senior and aspiring author to throw first pitch at White Sox game

March 31, 2025 at 2:28 p.m.

Gwendolyn Brooks senior Josue Sandoval is earning recognition for his academic achievements, including a near full ride to UChicago.

People walk by Columbia College Chicago’s 600 S. Michigan Ave. building in the South Loop on Dec. 13, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Columbia College names Shantay Bolton as new president

March 19, 2025 at 1:56 p.m.

The former executive vice president and chief business officer at Georgia Institute of Technology will be the first woman of color to lead the school, and the first woman in...

An aerial view shows the University of Chicago campus in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago on April 10, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

University of Chicago under investigation as part of Trump’s anti-DEI initiative

March 15, 2025 at 5:39 p.m.

The University of Chicago is among over 50 universities under investigation for alleged racial discrimination.

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks from his ceremonial office after delivering his annual budget address on Feb. 19, 2025, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Pritzker and Illinois educators condemn Trump’s cuts at Department of Education

March 13, 2025 at 7:47 p.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker warned at an Illinois Education Association convention Thursday that cuts to federal education funding could "damage the future of the people of Illinois," shortly after the state...

Chicago Public Schools headquarters in Chicago on Oct. 4, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

CPS data breach: Here’s what to know to protect yourself

March 13, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Over 700,000 current and former Chicago Public School students’ information was exposed following a data breach last month. On Feb. 8, the district learned that student data had been leaked...

Aisha Wade-Bey presides over her fourth grade class during a math session at Richard Oglesby School on March 7, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Some CPS teachers claim REACH evaluation system disproportionately targets Black educators

March 16, 2025 at 3:51 p.m.

Critics point to the evaluation system as cause for a decline in the number of Black teachers in Chicago Public Schools.

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