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.
OCE leads programs that help strengthen the ability of emerging and experienced civic leaders on the South Side and throughout Chicago to become more effective leaders and better serve their communities. The office also acts as a thought partner to UChicago staff in units across campus in their efforts to advance civic leadership initiatives and facilitate connections among University faculty, staff, and graduate students and local civic leaders.
By initiating, piloting, and refining new programs and platforms, OCE has helped establish the University as a center of civic innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration in the field of civic leadership. For instance, OCE created and piloted the Civic Leadership Academy, a six-month program for local nonprofit and government professionals now housed at the Harris School of Public Policy.
If you would like more information about how an urban research university can partner with its home city to advance the work of civic leaders, please contact Joanie Friedman, executive director of civic leadership, in the Office of Civic Engagement.
The Civic Actor Studio at the University of Chicago
The Civic Actor Studio (CAS) at the University of Chicago is a three-month experience anchored by a four-day retreat that encourages local civic leaders to forge connections and examine the leadership roles they play through theater-based exercises. Launched in 2019 and led by the Office of Civic Engagement, in partnership with Court Theatre, the Civic Actor Studio experience aims to help participants engage in civic dialogue and practice the embodiment of civic leadership to strengthen self-efficacy in their community work.
To learn about Civic Actor Studio participants and facilitators, click here. For more information, contact Joanie Friedman joaniefriedman@uchicago.edu.
The Chicago Leadership Development Exchange (CLDE)
The Chicago Leadership Development Exchange (CLDE) is a new platform for civic leaders to share information, knowledge and experiences. We meet quarterly via Zoom in January/April/July/October. To learn more about CLDE and join the community of practice, please contact Joanie Friedman joaniefriedman@uchicago.edu or Liz Jellema Liz.Jellema@chicagobooth.edu.
Directory of Chicago’s Civic Leadership Programs:
University of Illinois in Chicago's Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement, a member of the CLDE, has compiled an interactive directory: https://ipce.shinyapps.io/cldd/. If you’d like to update the directory, you can contact Roy Rothschild, Research Specialist, at 312-355-4509 or rroths2@uic.edu.
Some of the organizations in CLDE include:
- Disability Lead
- Chicago Urban League IMPACT Leadership Development Program
- The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
- Community Leadership Fellows
- IL Muslim Civic Coalition
- Multicultural Leadership Academy of the Latino Policy Forum
- The Field Foundation’s Leaders for a New Chicago
- Willie’s Warriors
- Mujeres Latinas en Accion
- Square One Foundation’s Civic Action Project
- Obama Foundation
- CULTIVATE
- Surge Institute
- University of Chicago: Office of Civic Engagement, Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation, Civic Scholars, Civic Leadership Academy, Chicago Commons at the Divinity School, Civic Actor Studio, Advanced Leadership Program
