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Sheldon Smith

“The Accelerator did the vetting and strengthening that we needed in order to present ourselves to foundations and funders, who want to feel comfortable and know that you’re solid before they invest in you.”

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Susan Alitto

“Without the Accelerator, we would not be anywhere near where we are now. They not only gave us resources and help, they gave us the courage to try things.”

News
May 6 2019

Civic Leadership at UChicago

The Office of Civic Engagement (OCE), through its Civic Leadership Initiatives team, stewards the University of Chicago’s commitment to the scholarship, teaching, and practice of civic leadership, helping to cultivate civic leaders who think critically, imagine new systems, and build resilient communities.

Leader

Shaz Rasul

Shaz Rasul currently serves as the Executive Director of Education Partnerships and the Interim Director of the University Community Service Center in the University's Office of Civic Engagement. Shaz has been on staff at the University for over 20 years, and has led programs in student civic engagement, nonprofit capacity building, digital equity, and PK-12 Education.  

Leader

Joanie Friedman

As Executive Director of Civic Leadership, Joanie is responsible for advancing the knowledge, teaching, and practice of civic leadership locally, nationally, and globally to increase civic trust and strengthen cities.

Leader

Abel Ochoa

Abel works with faculty and staff across the University to develop and enhance ongoing youth outreach and engagement initiatives. In this role, he helps to create new and expand existing college access and success models by engaging internal and external stakeholders and organizations that share the University’s interest in ensuring equitable outcomes for Chicago’s youth; especially students who reside or attend school in the mid-South-Side. Abel also provides leadership to the Collegiate Scholars Program and Office of Special Programs-College Prep, which are existing college readiness programs that are an integral part of UChicago Promise, and reinforce the institution’s commitment to broadening access to the University’s transformative education and outreach programs.

Leader

Alyssa Berman-Cutler

Alyssa leads the Office of Civic Engagement’s community economic development efforts in the mid-South Side neighborhoods near the University of Chicago. This includes UChicago Local, the University’s live, buy and hire local initiative and its affordable housing work. She also leads the Polsky Exchange’s community outreach.

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Akanksha Shah

“Maroon Tutor Match helped me learn to work with people — not just students and families, but tutors as well — who were very different from me and had different priorities and struggles. Getting a better understanding of where people are coming from is invaluable.”

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Claire Sampson

“As an NSP volunteer, I felt that I was in classrooms to build relationships with students and teachers and schools. It’s all about those 35 kids and what they need, whether that means helping a teacher prep curriculum work, grading papers, or working with a student one-on-one.”

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Nora Sullivan

“Being in a different part of the city and interacting with people from different backgrounds is a big part of NSP. Ms. Nixon taught me that you have to be ready to reflect, be vulnerable, be genuine, and have hard conversations sometimes.”

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Raven Galloway

“All of us in CSP matured during the program and were more prepared for college because of it.”

Profile

Meera Dhodapkar

"Every time you get on the ice, trip on your toe pick, and take a nosedive, that’s a learning experience. The ability to take a hit but also learn from it is one of the most important things I’ve learned from the sport — and it’s a skill I want to pass on to kids through ChicaGO!” -Meera Dhodapkar '19