CHICAGO, IL — The University of Chicago Center for Effective Government (CEG) recently welcomed a cohort of 25 senior leaders from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to the University’s Harris School of Public Policy for the second year of its Executive Leadership Seminar Series—an innovative partnership between CEG and CPS that provides immersive, multi-disciplinary leadership training to senior-level staff at CPS.
The Seminar Series, which is comprised of four day-long sessions held over six weeks, seeks to develop skills for CPS staff to lead their departments, other leaders, and the organization as a whole. Participants will engage in sessions on topics of leadership capacity, negotiation, persuasion, resilience, communication, and more, taught by leading University of Chicago faculty and experienced practitioners from the field.
“In order to advance reform and pursue more effective governance, we need thoughtful, capable leaders who are well-prepared to pave the way forward,” said Sadia Sindhu, Executive Director of the Center for Effective Government. “Through this partnership with CPS, we’re able to engage with leaders in education doing important work to maintain and evolve an essential public institution. By bringing these leaders in contact with a rich curriculum and world-class faculty, we’re investing in the future of CPS and its role in Chicago.”
The Seminar Series was designed by CEG specifically for Chicago Public Schools, and builds on the success of the Civic Leadership Academy, CEG’s flagship leadership development and training program for local government and non-profit leaders. The Academy, now in its tenth year, boasts 300 fellows and alumni who hold key leadership positions across Chicago and Cook County’s civic sector.
Through this partnership, both CEG and CPS hope to emphasize the importance of investing in a diverse group of high-quality leaders, and the potential for such an investment to make a direct impact on students and families in Chicago.
“We’re excited to continue our partnership with the Center for Effective Government to invest in the development of our senior leadership team,” said CPS Chief Talent Officer Ben Felton (CLA’18). “In order to create the best outcomes for our schools and students, it’s important for those in leadership positions to continue evolving their skills and perspectives. As an alumnus of the Center for Effective Government’s Civic Leadership Academy, which provides similar education and development to the CPS Executive Leadership Seminar Series, I know how professionally transformative these experiences can be. This opportunity for the CPS senior leadership team will enable our systems to continue growing and improving, allowing us to accomplish our mission to provide a high-quality education to every student in every neighborhood.”
Members of the second cohort were selected by Chicago Public Schools for the Seminar Series from a wide range of eligible employees across CPS departments and functions who applied to participate. This years’ Seminar Series had a competitive selection process, with more than double the number of applicants as the inaugural year of the program. Thanks to a grant from Crown Family Philanthropies to Children First Fund, the Chicago Public Schools Foundation, the three-year program is fully funded at no cost to CPS, CEG, or individual participants.
“I’m honored to be selected as a participant for the second Executive Leadership Seminar Series alongside so many incredible colleagues and collaborators at CPS,” said Series cohort member Ricardo Trujillo, Deputy Chief at the Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services. “As leaders and educators ourselves, we know how important continued investment in learning and development are for the long-term achievement of Chicago Public Schools’ mission. I’m looking forward to engaging with fellow leaders as part of this innovative program.”
The 2024 staff cohort of the CPS Executive Leadership Seminar Series includes:
Zaneta Abdul-Ahad; Deputy Chief, Network 12; Office of Network Support
Gabriela Arismendi (MA/MSW’10, MBA’21); Director of Strategy and Policy; Board of Trustees
Errika Baker; Executive Director, Advanced Learning & Specialty Programs; Office of Teaching & Learning
Tamika Ball; Deputy Chief, Network 17; Office of Network Support
Elizabeth Barton; Managing Deputy General Counsel; Law Department
Robert Christlieb; Executive Director, Facility Operations; Facilities Department
Sarah Dickson (MPP’14); Director of External Research; School Quality Measurement and Research
Mary Fergus; Executive Director, Media Relations; Office of Communications
Jasmine Illa; Director, Communication Operations; Office of Communications
Andrew Mason; Managing Freedom of Information Act Officer; Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office
Letitia McGee; Director of Business Operations; Office of College and Career Success
Sydney Morris; Chief of Staff to the Chief Education Officer; Chief Education Office
Maggie Morrow; Director of Strategic Planning; Chief Executive Office
Ali Muhammad; Deputy Chief, Student Readiness; Office of College and Career Success
Tawanna Patton; Director of Teacher Leadership; Talent Office
Jennifer Reger; Executive Director, Administrative Hearings; Law Department
Devin Swartley; Director, School Leadership Pipeline; Department of Principal Talent
Chad Thomas; Director of School Leader Engagement; Department of Principal Quality
Cynthia Treadwell; Executive Director; Office of Social and Emotional Learning
Ricardo Trujillo; Deputy Chief; Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services
Iliana Vargas; Director; Department of Planning and Data Management
Rochelle Washington; Director of Performance and Accountability; Office of Innovation and Incubation
Kimberly Watson; Chief of Staff to the Chief Operating Officer; Chief Operating Office
Tamara West; Director, Data Management; Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services
Chinuotu Wonuigwe; Director, Student Transportation; Office of Student Transportation Services
Press contact: Megan Busbice, Program Associate, Center for Effective Government