CHICAGO, IL — The University of Chicago Center for Effective Government (CEG) at the Harris School of Public Policy today announced the appointment of Milvia Rodriguez as the new Executive Director for the Civic Leadership Academy (CLA). Alongside CLA Director Christopher Berry, Rodriguez will guide the program into its second decade of existence, continuing CLA’s commitment to providing leadership development for emerging and high-potential leaders in nonprofit organizations and local government agencies within the City of Chicago and Cook County.
“I’m deeply honored to step into this role and lead the Civic Leadership Academy program alongside our Director Christopher Berry, with the incredible support of our Assistant Director, Hopie Melton,” said Milvia Rodriguez. “Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the powerful impact CLA has had on the fellows, the Harris community, and our city, and I look forward to continuing Sadia and Will’s legacy and building on their labor of love. I'm especially excited to welcome a new cohort this fall and to deepen our connections with alumni, faculty, program supporters, and the many incredible organizations that make Chicago such an amazing partner in this work.”
Milvia Rodriguez currently serves as the Program Director for the Public Policy undergraduate program at The College of the University of Chicago and the Harris School of Public Policy—one of the most popular majors on campus, graduating over 100 students annually. In this role, she has overseen all operational areas of the program and has led the development of several student-centered initiatives that promote academic excellence, leadership, mentorship, and holistic engagement. Her efforts included founding a Student Advisory Board and launching a Mentorship Program that connects undergraduates with graduate students and alumni, strengthening both academic and professional pathways. In addition to her leadership in CLA, Milvia Rodriguez will continue to serve in her role as Program Director for the Public Policy Studies program.
A passionate advocate for public service and civic engagement, Milvia has built enduring partnerships with community organizations and campus centers to connect students with researchers and practitioners across Chicago, bridging academic learning with real-world impact.
Prior to her current role, Rodriguez served as Associate Director of Academic Advising and Financial Aid at the Harris School. In 2019, she was honored with the University’s Marlene F. Richman Award for Excellence and Dedication in Service to Students, a prestigious recognition awarded annually to one staff member nominated by students. That same year, she received the Harris Award for Community, selected by her colleagues.
“Milvia has a long history of success at the university and is beloved by our students and alumni,” said Christopher Berry, William J. and Alicia Townsend Friedman Professor at Harris and CLA Director. “We are lucky to get her for CLA and I’m excited to put our shoulders to the wheel together.”
Beyond her formal roles, Rodriguez is deeply committed to building strong, authentic partnerships across communities. She has spearheaded campus-wide initiatives that celebrate identity and foster belonging, including leading the University’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration (2018–2020), supported by institutional grant funding. She is also a co-founder of a cross-departmental staff network that began with seven members in 2016 and now includes over 250 participants—promoting collaboration and connection among university staff from diverse, underrepresented backgrounds.
Milvia remains actively involved with Harris student organizations such as Minorities in Public Policy and Black Action for Public Policy, and she maintains strong relationships with alumni around the world. She holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, a Master’s in Higher Education Administration from Northwestern University, and a Master’s in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the Gnesin Academy of Music in Moscow, Russia. Her leadership continues to center service, connection, and the student voice at every level of program development.
“Since the earliest years of the Civic Leadership Academy, Milvia has been an active supporter of this pivotal program,” said Sadia Sindhu, founding Executive Director of the UChicago Center for Effective Government. “Her extensive background in higher education, as well as her experience building a thriving learning community at UChicago’s Public Policy Studies program, make her a perfect fit to guide CLA in the coming years. In Milvia, our CLA alumni have found an engaged and thoughtful partner in the work of supporting the growing community of civic leaders at UChicago.”
Launched in 2014 in partnership with the Harris School of Public Policy and University of Chicago Office of Civic Engagement, CLA is a rigorous six-month program that enables civic leaders to attend classes and discussions with world-class University of Chicago faculty. During the course of the program, fellows also attend monthly Civic Practitioner Leadership Series sessions, which feature closed-door discussions with key Chicago leaders and CLA alumni. Additionally, fellows complete a week-long Global Practicum in Paris, where fellows engage with and learn from their civic leader counterparts in an international setting. A collaborative final project leverages fellows’ cohort experience and the broader CLA network to envision meaningful opportunities for reform in Chicago.
Since its founding, CLA has built a network of over 300 alumni working in leadership roles across Chicago and Cook County, creating a community of practitioners focused on institutional reform in the public sector. With fellows’ diverse expertise ranging from criminal justice to environmental policy, the CLA community serves as a critical resource for civic leaders, supporting cross-sector collaboration and innovation.
Press contact: Megan Busbice, Program Associate, Center for Effective Government