Executive Dir. of the Illinois Center for Ed. Equity

Center Leadership & Positioning

• Developing and executing comprehensive implementation plans for projects and initiatives, in alignment with the mission and priorities of the Center and Institute
• Secure funding that covers the cost of the Center’s operations by optimizing use of available federal, state, institutional, and private resources
• Hire and manage Center staff; Center currently has a Research Manager

Cross-Sector Partnerships

• Develop and manage critical relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including high school and postsecondary agencies and institutions, employers, student success organizations, higher education subject matter experts and policy makers to achieve implementation of projects and initiatives achieve implementation of projects and initiatives.
• Develop and manage an Advisory Committee, and subcommittees as needed, that fosters the Center’s success
• Connecting with CSU departments and units, such as Academic Affairs or External Affairs, to fully understand vision and direction for project development and implementation

Research

• Conducting and releasing research that contributes new understanding of dynamics impacting Black and Latinx students in Illinois’ higher education system and solutions for closing the education attainment divide
• Identifying target audiences and developing tailored engagement strategies to achieve project goals
• Bringing innovation, a fresh perspective, and a willingness to engage beyond traditional approaches in order to advance projects and initiatives

Policies & Systems Change

• Developing and integrating coalition building, communication, and policy enactment plans to achieve implementation of projects and initiatives. This includes educating a wide-range of decision-makers on key policies and practices to close the education divide, including legislators, education system leaders (including state agencies, school districts, postsecondary institutions), and employers.