With heavy hearts we are mourning the loss of CCH scholarship alum Prince Washington. We first met Prince in 2017 as an ambitious high school senior, but over the years he grew into a fierce advocate and dear friend of many of us in the CCH community.
After graduating from Argo Community High School in suburban Summit, IL, Prince attended the University of Illinois-Springfield, where he studied political science. While in school, he joined a roundtable of college students experiencing homelessness convened by our state policy team. The thoughtful insight provided by this group led CCH to advocate for state legislation providing additional support to Illinois college students experiencing homelessness.
Prince shared his personal experience in front of a Senate committee to illustrate the urgent need for students like him. As a result of his impactful testimony, the committee voted unanimously to advance the bill. Passed in 2021, the College Accessibility For Students Experiencing Homelessness Act (SB190) established liaison positions on college campuses across Illinois to address the unique needs of students experiencing homelessness and expanded access to on-campus housing.
After graduating from UIS in 2023, Prince served on our scholarship selection committee, generously volunteering his time alongside other scholarship alumni to identify new program scholars. Through this work, he provided guidance and support to students facing similar challenges as he did.
During the 2026 state legislative session, Prince again joined our advocacy efforts in Springfield, speaking at a subject matter hearing in support of an increase to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) budget for school districts to assist students experiencing homelessness. He was instrumental in the inclusion of $2 million in next year’s budget for districts to respond to students’ immediate needs.
Working as a substitute teacher while pursuing a master’s degree in education, Prince dreamed of becoming the superintendent of ISBE. All who met him recognized his gentle, kind spirit and his genuine desire to make the world a better place for all students who came after him.
All of us at CCH will fondly remember the tremendous impact he made for Illinois students in his tragically short years. We extend sincere condolences to Prince’s family, friends, and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Reflections from the CCH community:
“There aren’t words to fully capture how devastating a loss Prince’s passing is to our community. We were holding interviews with scholarship finalists the week before he passed, and as Prince was explaining to a student what the CCH scholarship had meant to him and how he had continued to stay involved with our organization beyond his undergraduate years, I remember thinking that Prince had an incredibly bright future ahead of him, and I couldn’t wait to see all that he would eventually accomplish.
Though our time together was short, I knew Prince to be one of the most engaged, passionate, and hard-working people I’ve ever met. Prince was in the process of earning his Master of Education. He also took great pride in being part of our scholarship community by continuing to serve on the selection committee and by helping CCH advocate for our legislative wins. Prince’s testimony helped pass the College Access Bill (SB190) in 2021, and he stayed involved in our advocacy efforts because he knew his voice had the power to change the world.
To Prince, it was almost second nature to look out for the students who would come after him, and to work to ensure a better future for them. This was just the person he was: thoughtful, generous, ambitious.
Rest in peace, Prince. We will miss you so much!”
– Sue Um, CCH Scholarship & Streetlight Coordinator
“I had the privilege of knowing Prince for over eight years, dating back to when I managed the CCH scholarship program. From the very first time we met, I was struck by his energy, kindness, and confidence. He spoke so passionately about his hopes and dreams, especially his commitment to supporting the next generation of students.
Over the years, every time I reached out about an opportunity to support legislation or advocate for students experiencing homelessness, his answer was always yes. That was who Prince was. Someone who showed up, who cared deeply, and who never hesitated to help others.
Prince was more than a coconspirator in our advocacy; he was a friend. He made a lasting impact on my life and on so many others. His legacy of generosity, compassion, and leadership will continue to live on in all of us.
Rest in power, my friend. You will be deeply missed.”
– Christy Joyce Llanes Beretta, Senior Manager of Equity & Transformation
“When I think of Prince I think: empathetic, kind and resilient.
Thinking back on when we won the CCH scholarship together back in 2017, I remember the impact his speech made for me and how inspiring it was to see his journey flourish throughout the years. He always conveyed a hopeful message: keep trying, keep going. And he shared that message through everything he did and with everyone he met. Prince was always determined to find ways to give back to his community and when there wasn’t a way he would make a way. And that’s just the kind of person he was.
I am grateful to have crossed paths with Prince.
Gone too soon but made an everlasting impact. Rest peacefully my friend.”
– Mayra Fajardo, 2017 CCH Scholarship Winner and current Selection Committee Member
