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Jasmeen Wellere
"The Office of Special Programs opened a door for me. I'm a first generation college student, and there is no one in my family that knows this process, that has been through it. If it wasn't for that I feel like I wouldn't have had a plan." -Jasmeen Wellere
ProfileNaa Ashitey
“Getting into UChicago has been the biggest accomplishment of my life thus far. I thank the Office of Special Programs for the guidance they gave me during the three years I was part of the program.” -Naa Ashitey '21
ProfileSheldon 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.”
ProfileSusan 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.”
NewsMay 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.
LeaderJoanie 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.
LeaderAbel Ochoa
Abel Ochoa serves as Associate Vice President for Programs and Development. In this role, he provides leadership, direction, and resources to the following Office of Civic Engagement (OCE) portfolio of programs: College and Career Readiness, Student Civic Engagement, Education Partnerships, Nonprofit Capacity Building, Civic Leadership and Program Development and Evaluation. Abel works across the University and with the broader community to create meaningful and sustainable partnerships that increase civic participation, expand educational access, and create economic and social opportunity on the South Side of Chicago. He also serves as one of OCE’s primary liaisons to external funders, including foundations and other philanthropic partners.
ProfileAkanksha 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.”
ProfileClaire 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.”
ProfileNora 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.”
ProfileRaven Galloway
“All of us in CSP matured during the program and were more prepared for college because of it.”
ProfileMeera 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