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Featured Alumni Spotlights

​​​​Edgar Ramirez
President and CEO, Chicago Commons

BA 2000, Political Science

 

Q: Can you tell us about your career path and your current role at Chicago Commons?

A: I've always been interested in working in social services. During my time at DePaul, I had a lot of internships with community organizations. I was also lucky enough to be involved with the community based service-learning office when it was getting started. Through this, I built valuable relationships with local leaders who were running institutions and serving communities. When I was graduating, I knew I wanted to become a community organizer, and I reached out to several of these contacts. My first role was at Latinos United as a fair housing specialist, where I focused on housing advocacy in the Northern and Western suburbs. Eventually, Latinos United evolved into the Latino Policy Forum, and I now serve as the board chair. It has been fulfilling to see this connection come full circle.

After Latino Policy Forum, a mentor connected me with an opportunity at the Resurrection Project in Highwood. There, I learned how to dig into the nuts and bolts of community organizing and learned a lot of important lessons about how to build interpersonal relationships, skills that I still use today. After spending a few years at Resurrection, I returned to DePaul and worked at the Steans Center, which focuses on community-based service-learning and community service studies. After this, I enrolled in graduate school at the University of Chicago for Social Policy and returned to my roots in organizing by taking a role at Erie Neighborhood House. As their Advocacy Director, I gained valuable experience and further expanded my network. These experiences led me to Chicago Commons, where I served as the Associate Executive Director, before being promoted to Chief Executive Officer and President of the organization. I’ve been here ever since, and I have served about twelve years in my current role at Chicago Commons.

Q: How do you apply your experience in the Political Science program at DePaul to your current role?

A: The great thing about DePaul and the Political Science Department is that it's interdisciplinary, which is something you don't see in a lot of schools. I also studied under some really great professors, with Rose Spalding being one that immediately comes to mind. I had many courses focused on the political economy and the idea of how politics can shape the economy from both local and personal contexts. As an immigrant, it was very interesting to take courses on the political economy of Latin America, and the push and pull theory of economics regarding immigration when labor was needed. These courses, in addition to my own experiences, helped me understand the personal circumstances of folks with whom I've worked closely within the community to resolve some of the immigration issues currently at hand. I’ve always looked back at my DePaul experience as critical to my personal development. I loved my time at DePaul, and I can say that my courses and professors had a profound impact on me. The university has a rich group of professors who are in touch with communities and intentionally connect with them. This carries over to present-day issues, demonstrating how classroom teachings are applied to personal circumstances.

Q: How has the DePaul alumni community contributed to your personal and career development?

A: I always love talking to fellow alums and learning about their thoughts and experiences. I knew mentorship is something that I would enjoy post-graduation, to pay it forward to future generations of alumni interested in social service organizations and the role local institutions play in shaping community in the city.

Q: What advice would you have for current DePaul students?

A: Invest time in developing relationships with your local community, your student colleagues, then a few professors. In many cases, the cool thing about DePaul is that many professors' backgrounds resemble your own. This makes it easier to identify with their experiences while creating those intentional relationships with student colleagues. You never know where you're going to end up, and many of my former student colleagues who are my peers are now leading institutions in different sectors. It’s always great to catch up with them and hear about the great work they're doing. It’s also about enjoying the ride. DePaul is a great place to learn, study, and grow as an individual.

Q: You've touched on mentorship a few times throughout this conversation. How has mentorship played a role in your career?

A: Mentorship is incredible. I can't overstate the value of social capital, which is what mentors really provide. They give you the opportunity to learn from individuals who have achieved considerable things and possess valuable experience. If you're lucky enough to have a mentor who invests time and effort in you, don't underestimate the opportunity. It can be a significant advantage in gaining access to various spaces, conversations, and employment opportunities. Throughout my career, my mentors have opened doors for me. I can honestly say that job opportunities often arise through mentors because they understand your current interests and future goals. If you express interest, they will sometimes make an introductory call on your behalf, which helps to open the door. That's the power of mentorship: leveraging social capital and networks to advance your personal mission and career.

Q: What are your thoughts on the value of a Liberal Arts and Social Sciences degree?

A: I have heard the debate that you shouldn't invest in Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and instead opt for more ‘practical’ sciences or disciplines. I always balk at that because the Liberal Arts and Social Sciences provide a well-rounded education and experiences that help students think critically and creatively in ways that are beneficial to any business or institution. Moving forward is important, and I believe Liberal Arts and Social Science students are curious and hold a sense of wonder because those who think critically about issues are open to learning in different fashions. It's important for students to continue in the Liberal Arts and Social Sciences because these students have an opportunity to study, learn, and reflect intentionally about things that really affect the whole person. I can't think of a more well-rounded education for a student. I'm a big advocate for the Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and I believe that schools should invest more in this area to highlight its value and the successes of their alumni.




Can you tell us about your roles at Mount Sinai Hospital?
I started at Mount Sinai Hospital after graduating from the Master of Social Work Program in June 2022. I began as one of the psychotherapists on the Mobile Crisis Response Team and was later promoted to Manager of Outpatient Behavioral Health Services about a year ago. I proudly serve community members from the West and Southwest sides of Chicago by providing person-centered and trauma-informed care. I provide each client with a safe, non-judgmental space to explore their version of wellness, regain a sense of autonomy, and ultimately feel that instilling hope and teaching self-efficacy are among the most important responsibilities of a therapist.

As the Program Director of Mobile Crisis Response, I oversee a team composed of psychotherapists and recovery support specialists. We primarily serve community members from Pilsen, Little Village, Brighton Park, and North Lawndale. Sinai is a safety-net hospital, meaning the patient population is largely uninsured or receives some form of public aid. We, as healthcare providers, understand that limitations with insurance and out-of-pocket costs are significant barriers to accessing mental health services. With the assistance of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), we have provided care to countless people completely free of charge, thanks to grant funding. The only requirement is that the person must live in one of the following zip codes: 60608, 60611, 60623, 60624, or 60632. We partner with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and external organizations, such as Latinos Progresando and the Chicago Police Department, to reach those in need of mental health services and raise awareness about the Crisis Cares Program.

How did the Master of Social Work program prepare you for your current role?
The Master of Social Work (MSW) Program prepared me in a number of ways. As many of us know, DePaul University emphasizes Vincentian Values, which naturally align with many of the ethical principles of social work—especially the commitment to building community, advocating for systemic change, and amplifying the voices of marginalized groups. I attribute much of my success to the academic-year-long internship requirement, which allowed me to gain foundational knowledge about how public policy impacts community health. I completed my final internship at the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), a leading national organization that advocates for expanded access to quality mental healthcare and supports people living with mood disorders. During this internship, I gained invaluable insight into the impact of grassroots organizations and the necessity of centering recovery support specialists at the core of the new crisis response system.

As we know, you’re a Double Demon. What was the thought process behind pursuing degrees in English and Social Work at DePaul?
I was a file clerk at Beermann LLP, a prominent divorce and family law firm founded by an alum. I worked alongside many attorneys who attended the College of Law and spoke highly of their experience at DePaul University, so I figured, why not apply? I transferred to the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences in 2016 and had a wonderful undergraduate experience. I became involved with campus activities, like joining Alpha Sigma Alpha, and enjoyed spending time in the English Department. The faculty are incredibly knowledgeable about their areas of study and so dedicated to keeping students engaged. Attending lectures by Dr. Paula McQuade and Dr. Jim Fairhall are among my fondest academic memories. It just made sense to continue my graduate education at DePaul University. During undergrad, I was still working for the law firm and frequently came across evaluations written by Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW). I really appreciated how they wrote about mental health in these court documents, and it dawned on me that I could combine two things that I care deeply about: language and mental health. So, I became more curious about pursuing social work as a career. I began the MSW Program around 2019, and much of my undergraduate experience carried over into my graduate studies, as DePaul faculty and many alumni continued to have a significant impact on my life.

How would you describe the value of a Liberal Arts and Social Sciences degree?
I would say that a Liberal Arts and Social Sciences degree can be overlooked at times; however, it has tremendous value. I believe it exposes students to a variety of perspectives and stories—both fiction and non-fiction—that they might not encounter in other degree programs. It teaches students to think critically, question ideas with curiosity, and challenge prevailing thoughts. Both of my degrees exposed me to the impact of language and provided me with an opportunity to reflect on how the words we choose to describe things can affect people differently. The lectures on the intentionality of language, delivered by authors when conveying stories to their readers, combined with the theoretical frameworks and principles of social work, empowered me to make a difference early in my career. Simply put, none of this would have been possible without a degree in Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

What advice would you share with current students and those approaching graduation?
I encourage you to get involved with campus activities and explore volunteer opportunities. I know that managing coursework can be overwhelming, but it’s crucial to find time to engage in activities that align with your interests. I feel like my college experience was enriched by the friends I made through my sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha, and by becoming more immersed in campus issues after joining the MSW Student Association. Regarding volunteer opportunities, there are many alumni doing incredible things right now. I encourage students to volunteer because it’s never too late to get involved and make a difference in your communities.

Second, apply for scholarships. You’d be surprised how many people forgo these funding opportunities. There’s often hesitation because of the fear of rejection and the vulnerability that comes with sharing your story. Sure, there will be rejections, but it’s still worth taking the chance, and you might be surprised by the outcome.

Third, for students about to graduate, seek advice and guidance from your professors. They were once in your shoes and have done remarkable work in their respective fields. Graduation can be an exciting yet anxiety-inducing time for many students due to uncertainty about “what’s next.” You don’t have to deal with that alone. I leaned on my professors for support as grad school was nearing its end. Dr. Neil Vincent, one of my mentors, kept me focused on my academic goals and provided invaluable guidance as I transitioned into my career. Remember, peers and professors become part of your social network after graduation—so try your best to stay in touch with them!



Jake Wild Crea
 

Q: Can you tell us about your various roles in conflict management and resolution?

A: I am a conflict management and resolution practitioner, facilitator, mediator, and educator. I have my own practice and also work for the National Conflict Resolution Center. Additionally, I am a faculty member at the University of San Diego, where I teach conflict management and resolution to master's-level students in the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies. I came to this work after many years in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, where I, through various projects, began to see the importance of conflict in creating successful outcomes. My day-to-day work revolves around training people in different communities throughout San Diego and across the country. My training helps equip individuals with the tools to engage in difficult conversations and manage interpersonal and inter-organizational conflict. This practice focuses on using conflict resolution to foster systems of change.

Q: How would you say your experience in the Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies program at DePaul prepared you for this work?

A: My undergraduate degree was in Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies (PAX). After graduating, I spent several years in Argentina working for different nonprofit organizations. Upon returning to the U.S., I worked for various funding organizations as a consultant and philanthropic advisor. In these roles, I felt like a translator between different organizations—particularly nonprofits and potential funders—because I was constantly articulating the experiences of program services to funders and the funding methods of nonprofit organizations. To navigate these conversations, I drew from my experience at DePaul, where I worked with various communities throughout Chicago and applied conflict resolution skills to bridge lines of difference. I believe my DePaul degree taught me how to seek out work I am passionate about, as I transitioned into different careers and positions. While I have learned many tangible skills across different industries, the ethos and approach I have taken to my work truly started during my time at DePaul.

Q: What drew you to this specific career and field of work?

A: Throughout my career, I’ve always been driven by my passion for making the world a better place by improving systems that impact human lives. In every single project I’ve worked on, the ability to manage conflict has been key to creating change and ensuring the success of the project. I see the ability to handle conflict as a determinant of quality of life. People bring existing, quality relationships to the table and by working through conflict, I am able to contribute to addressing a variety of issues. I have expertise in a skill that is often lacking, yet is in high demand in the world right now. I’m always asking, “How could things be better?” This question led me to focus more on conflict resolution and to embrace this way of thinking. When I was at DePaul, I’d tell people I studied conflict resolution, and they would always smile and nod. Now, when people hear what I studied, I am often met with a look of desperation for how to resolve their conflicts. The importance of conflict resolution in addressing some of the struggles we face has been under-recognized in the past. As you might expect, it’s been gratifying for me to see the evolution of society’s view of conflict resolution. Recently, I was designing a training for a group of nonprofits on how they can bridge intergenerational and political divides within their workplace. Elections, for example, are a common source of conflict, so I’m consistently designing trainings, conducting workshops, and working with different organizations to equip people with the tools for more effective conversations. My other work focuses on using conflict resolution as a pathway to create more effective ecosystems of change in philanthropy and nonprofits. This involves bringing funders and nonprofits together to discuss funding and power dynamics across relationships in an effort to create more effective systems for change.

Q: How has the DePaul community been present in your career?

A: Professor Susana Martinez, who was my Spanish teacher at DePaul, has become a great leader within the PAX department. She has remained a close friend and mentor. One of the things I really appreciate about her leadership style is that I always felt like a peer and an equal contributor during my time as a student. Professor Ken Butigan is another faculty member who has been fundamental in conveying the ethos of the PAX degree. I learned a lot about nonviolent resistance and political action from him. Another close mentor of mine was Fr. Memo Campuzano, the former director of campus ministry, along with Joyana Dvorak, Karl Nass, and the rest of the campus ministry team. 

Q: How would you describe your perspective on a Liberal Arts & Social Sciences degree?

A: That’s a great question. I think there has been a strong push in recent years to view education solely as a means of economic activity, which has caused us to look at degrees through a narrow lens of production. I’ve talked to several undergraduate students recently, asking them, “What are you studying, and why?” About a third of the class answered business, simply to make money, which I believe reflects the economic reality many students face today—viewing education as solely a means to an end. It’s certainly true that education must have economic viability, but the challenge lies in the skillset that students obtain. Students should graduate with a concrete skillset that adapts well to our rapidly evolving world. I believe the liberal arts and social sciences not only provide students with the necessary skills, but they also teach them how to think critically and engage in a way that allows them to continuously evolve, adapt, and develop creative solutions to complex problems. Through my Liberal Arts and Social Sciences degree, I felt that I was taught how to learn with others, which has continued to benefit me throughout my career. It has become intrinsic to how I approach problems and engage critically with ideas in various systems and communities.



alumni spotlight Marisol Morales, EdD
 

Can you tell us about your career path and highlights?
When I graduated from DePaul with my Bachelor’s in Latin American & Latino Studies, I started working for ASPIRA of Illinois, which is a Puerto Rican Latino education organization. They had an alternative high school called Antonia Pantoja High School where I worked for three years after completing my Bachelor's degree. At the same time, I was going to grad school at DePaul full-time, studying International Public Service Management. Part of my program at DePaul required me to do a practicum, so I traveled to Puerto Rico for an internship with the Puerto Rico Community Foundation. I ended up staying in Puerto Rico for a couple of years before returning to Chicago in 2001, when I started working for the Puerto Rican Cultural Center. I was there for about five years working in the high school diploma attainment program for young moms called the Family Learning Center which involved partnerships with local universities that helped me reconnect with DePaul. During this time, a position opened in the DePaul University Steans Center as Assistant Director for Community Development, so I decided to apply for it. I worked at DePaul in the Steans Center for about eight years, first as Assistant Director and later on as an Associate Director. During this time, I was also teaching and becoming more connected to higher education. This led me to a role at the University of La Verne in Southern California as the Founding Director of their Office of Civic and Community Engagement. I served in this position for about five years before returning to Chicago for a role with Campus Compact, a national organization dedicated to the public purposes of higher education. In 2022, I moved over to the American Council on Education as the Executive Director of the Carnegie Elective Classifications and Assistant Vice President. I was familiar with the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement from my time at the University of La Verne where we were successful in achieving the classification. I went on to serve on the National Advisory Committee of the Community Engagement Elective Classification. I feel that the early work that I did, both internationally and nationally, has weaved nicely together in this current position. I’ve also served on two Illinois state boards and commissions, the Latino Family Commission and the Commission on the Elimination of Poverty, appointed by Governor Pat Quinn. I currently serve on the Illinois Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation board where I'm a designee for Representative Lilian Jiménez, who was a classmate of mine at DePaul.

Can you expand more on the responsibilities of your current role as Executive Director of the Carnegie Elective Classifications?
The elective classifications provide an independent and rigorous assessment of an institution's commitment to, investment in, and advancement of an aspect of higher education’s public purpose, such as community engagement or leadership. This work really is about institutional transformation and shaping the higher education landscape. The classification process makes institutions think more about their programs and policies to stay current on best practices. We commonly ask, how do you report and recognize this engaged research or public impact scholarship, particularly for faculty? How are you developing and preparing students to impact the public good? We often say the process is the prize, and while the recognition is a remarkable accomplishment for the campuses that achieve it, really what they get from this institutional self-assessment is much richer and transformational than the award or recognition itself. The hope is for universities to leverage the opportunity to have this dedicated time to better their practices and responsibilities to various communities. I think what's been exciting about this work is that it helps provide a set of standards and benchmarks to the work that universities are already doing. We are able to collect really meaningful data that helps enhance the work that colleges and universities are doing and so for me, it's really exciting. I enjoy the ability to see different examples of this work in action throughout the country and across the globe while also thinking about the networks of connection that can arise from this.

As we know, you're a Double Demon. How have your degrees in Latin American & Latino Studies and International Public Service Management contributed to your work?
I really appreciated the interdisciplinary aspect of the Latin American & Latino studies BA. This interdisciplinary nature of the program meant that I was enriched in my learnings from the different disciplines. It provided me with the ability to pull experience from a variety of practices, which provides a landscape view to the work that I do. It broadened my horizons and helped me to connect with different experiences, giving me a more versatile and well-rounded perspective. Organizations themselves are made up of multiple disciplines that are needed in order to function properly. This is the value of a Liberal Arts and Social Sciences degree where you're able to draw from different aspects, perspectives, teachings. My BA in Latin American & Latino Studies really laid the foundation for this type of thinking, which continued into my graduate program in International Public Service Management. This interdisciplinary nature can be seen from a global perspective through differences in the ways that higher education landscapes translate from country-to-country.

If you give any advice to current students or recent graduates, what would it be?
None of the jobs I’ve had were ones that I ever imagined when I was an undergrad, so I’ve always kept an open mind to the opportunities that become available to me. You don't have to be prescriptive in everything that you do. For example, I never really imagined myself working in higher education, but that's where my path led me, so I encourage everyone to be open to the path that affords itself along the way.

How has the DePaul community been present in your life?
Two of my best friends came from my time as a student at DePaul and one is now my son’s godmother. I found the Latin American & Latino Studies program to be a very supportive space, and the Center for Latino Research really fostered a sense of community among students that continues to this day. I’m still currently connected with DePaul faculty, staff, and students, and it’s been nice seeing these relationships develop over time. My relationships with DePaul community members have evolved as my career has progressed from student to professional, making for a great experience.


alumni spotlight Oblate James Holzhauer-Chuckas
 

Could you tell us a little bit about your career path and your current role?
When I was still in school, I decided to go into nonprofits; both secular and religious. I’ve worked in both arenas, but now I’m working in ministry full time. I serve in a number of different capacities, but I would consider the work we do through United Catholic Youth Ministries to be most prominent.

What are some of your responsibilities as the executive director?
I'm mostly responsible for ‘driving the bus’ in a lot of ways, but still always believe in co-responsibility models. We also have a great admin team that helps run things, and we work with many different parishes. Then, I work with the board because we went from being under the archdiocese to under the parishes and now to being our own separate organization. Historically, we have not had a board of directors so I'm now helping with the transition into having a board so that it can function as an important piece.

How has your Religious Studies degree prepared you for your career?
I actually transferred into DePaul from another university and there was a number of things that brought me back into Chicagoland area. I've always appreciated Catholic education and I think it's interesting that we don’t have a theology program at DePaul, but we have theology built into Religious Studies. I deeply appreciated this because I felt like the department really complimented other majors and opened our eyes to what the divine means through an inclusive lens of religions, all having their place without making one more prevalent than the other. One of my favorite studies is actually indigenous North American religions. I valued the way that these faith traditions share appreciation for a lot of the same values as mine, including creation and respect for your fellow human beings. I think all the different offerings in the Religious Studies program at DePaul prepared me to have a robust look at ministry as inviting, welcoming, and inclusive.

How has mentorship played a role in your career?
I had many great professors while I was at DePaul and some I still even keep in touch with. The parish community that I used to be with were also involved in different capacities. For example, Father Jim Halsted served as Chair of the Religious Studies department at DePaul for a long time. I took an independent study course under him studying religions liberty and he became a key mentor of mine. Dr. Chris Tirres also served as my capstone facilitator and became a great friend of mine through the course. He's a Liberation Theologian, which is what I chose to specialize in, and he was a remarkable mentor through the capstone. The last person I would name is Dr. Naomi Steinberg who was just an incredibly intelligent and pastoral human being. She was always relatable, answered questions, and a wonderful teacher who really cared about her students. I think sometimes it can be hard in university settings with so many students and responsibilities, but she really connected with all of us.

What advice would you give to current DePaul students or recent graduates of the program?
Obviously, to study hard. Especially with religious studies and theology since it can be very easy to fall behind or simply stay on the surface. The other thing is the depth of the topics like religious studies with theology. The advice I would give to current students and alumni is that I would hope they develop an appreciation for the Religious Studies program at DePaul. I know it's a smaller department, but I hope that alumni can go into the world and really embody what it means to be a religious studies major at DePaul: a well-rounded person who is welcoming, inclusive, and knows that everybody has a place.

Can you speak to the value of a degree in Liberal Arts and Social Sciences?
Liberal Arts and Social Sciences are so critical to the world right now in so many different ways. They entail thinking and studying as to become a well-rounded human being. In some ways, I believe it also goes back to being rooted in Vincentian values since we learn and study these things so that we can live them while serving others. The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences does a great job of making those connections from an academic standpoint and in our lives outside the classroom in the professional world.


alumni spotlight Jade Ryerson
 

Can you tell us a little bit about your career path and your current role?
Currently, I'm the Park Historian for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, which is a National Park Service unit based in the Twin Cities associated with the Upper Mississippi River. It's a national park just like Yellowstone or Yosemite. When I was at DePaul, I started interning with the Park Service’s Cultural Resources Office of Interpretation and Education and continued working with them through grad school. In this role, I did a lot of research and writing for NPS.gov. Through one of my internships, I earned a hiring authority that enabled me to move into a federal position.

How did your degree in history at DePaul prepare you for this role?
I use my degree every day and feel lucky to say that. People often think of being a historian as knowing all the facts about everything, such as dates and names. It’s actually more about knowing how to think critically and assess the information that you have in front of you. This is similar to doing detective work to figure out what we know about the past by looking at many different sources and drawing conclusions. I apply those skills when I’m doing preservation compliance, because we need to evaluate the significance of historic resources and assess the impacts that different projects could have on them. You also need strong writing and communication skills as a historian and I use those skills when I’m doing the tribal relations and storytelling aspects of my job.

How has mentorship from the DePaul Community played a role in your career?
When I was at DePaul, I worked in Special Collections and Archives, and that was pivotal for me to have a strong grounding in research and an understanding of how to evaluate sources. I also believe that working with the faculty and staff was instrumental in making me aware of the different sorts of “applied history” careers. I had a really strong relationship with and look up to both Amy Tyson in the History Department and Morag Kersel in the Anthropology Department.

If you give any advice to current students and recent grads, what would it be?
It's possible to pursue these careers that are directly related to the things that you're passionate about. But I also think it's important to be intentional to some extent and as you're developing your career and to seek opportunities where you can try out different paths. I've done internships in museums, national parks, archives, and libraries. I think it's helpful to try those things out while you're still in school so you can network and figure out what you can see yourself doing. Internships, project-based coursework, and a strong alumni community are really powerful tools, and I’ve felt very supported in these areas with DePaul.

What are your thoughts on the value of a Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Degree?
I very strongly identify with the History program, but I did interdisciplinary minors as well, by double minoring in Museum Studies and Archaeology. This gave me an overlap between anthropology, art history, and architecture. To me, the most powerful part of LAS is that it provides exposure to so many different ways of thinking and training. I think that when you can draw strengths from different areas, you end up with a better product or project in the end due to the well-roundedness you get from different perspectives.

What drew you to your current career?
I wanted to do something where I could have a job that doesn't feel like a job. It will always be, to some extent, a job, but I wanted to be able to do something where I love what I do, and I’m driven by a sense of purpose. I believe that comes from my time at DePaul as an extension of the Vincentian mission. It’s something that stuck with me a lot. As I was exploring careers, I knew that I wanted to do something that was professionally fulfilling that also allowed me to feel like I’m serving other people and contributing to something greater than myself. It was important for me to identify an organization, like the Park Service, with a mission that I personally align with too. I tried a lot of different paths when I was at DePaul to get here, and I feel really lucky that LAS offered the freedom to explore and experience them.


alumni spotlight Phoebe Yates
 

Can you tell us a little bit about your career path and your current role?
Currently, I'm the curator at the Swedish American Museum, and I went to DePaul for my undergraduate degree. I studied anthropology, but I also got a double major in Mathematics. Then, I went to University College, London, for my master's degree, in mediterranean, archaeology.

What was the intention between the double major in both Anthropology and Math?
I always loved Math and actually loved calculus in high school and the challenge of it, so I decided to do that as my double major. It was a nice balance with the culturally based classes in Anthro and the mathematics being very different. There is also a lot of math is actually involved with hanging pieces and designing layouts of exhibits so it comes in handy sometimes.

How did anthropology program at DePaul prepare you for your career?
It definitely introduced me to what a job in museums could be like. I took a class anthropology and museums with Morag Kersel, and that was my first introduction into what you could even do with an anthropology degree related to museums. I always loved going to museums as a kid. I'm the person that will take forever in a museum and read everything to really soak it in so it was cool to take a class where I got to see how the degree I was doing could fit into a career. After that, I started volunteering at the Field Museum and their anthropology department, and then just kind of took off from there of being interested in working with museum collections. It also stems from just being interested in archaeology and interested in working with material culture in itself. So archaeology methods—I think the class is called where we you actually got to do some field work. That also kind of started my love of working doing hands-on work with items themselves.

Can you speak more to the field work that DePaul connected you with?
It was an archaeology field methods class, and we actually went out to Maywood in the suburbs every Friday and practiced field work. It was in a backyard but it was interesting, you know. You just kind of got experience in how to do archaeology in the field, what that is like, what kinds of things you find, and just the methods for it. After that class, I loved it, and I did a field school down in Belize where we got to dig at my insights. Then I went on to do another field project in Athens when I studied abroad in Greece, and then that kind of funneled me into being really interested in Greek archaeology, which is what I got my master's degree in. So that class back at DePaul, started that all of me going over to Greece and getting to do archaeology there, which is really fun.

How did your classmates and professor contribute to your experience?
Actually, it was one of my classmates who recommended me to volunteer at the Field Museum. So that was great, because hundreds of people apply to volunteer there so it was another anthropology friend who was already working there. And I said I was interested, so he got me into doing that which was really great since that was kind of my first step into the Chicago Museum community. Then from there, I made a lot of connections that helped me get to this position now. In addition, I've kept in contact with Morag Kersel after school, and just connecting with her has helped me stay connected to the museum and archaeology communities. A little bit. I actually just spoke in one of her classes last year so it's nice to keep those relationships.

If you could give any advice to current students in the anthropology program, or to recent alumni, what would it be?
It’s really having fun and doing a lot of different experiences to really get to know what you're interested in by taking any opportunity that comes your way. Even if you don't think it might be interesting, but just trying it out. You never know and I never expected to work at the Swedish American Museum. It's interesting working here and I’ve learned a lot. So, you never know, It might end up being what you were looking for in the end.

Could you tell me just a little more in depth about your curatorial responsibilities?
I am in charge of all of our exhibits here. We have two temporary exhibit galleries, and we change them out about every three or four months. I manage up to eight temporary exhibits a year, and then we also have our core exhibit which we just reopened. When I first started in 2021, we had just received a grant from the Institute of Museum and library services to completely redo the exhibit. I got to work with outside consultants, and Tamara Biggs, who was the director of exhibits at the Chicago History Museum. We just completely redid the exhibit and I got to completely research, write, design the new exhibit, and pick out what was going to be on display.

What are your thoughts on the value of a liberal arts and social sciences degree?
I think it's important because you really can, at least my experience with Anthro. it helped me to understand people who are different from me. I grew up in a small town in upstate New York in the Finger Lakes region, and coming to DePaul and Chicago was great because it’s a very diverse city. There's a lot of different people around and getting to be in a class where can learn how to understand different cultures and backgrounds, where people come from, different ideas, ideals, and views. I think that's really important just for life in itself. Not only in the career I have, where I'm researching and interpreting cultural material.


alumni spotlight Kennedy Healy
 

When Kennedy Healy, originally from Omaha Nebraska, was considering where to go after high school, accessibility in Chicago drew her to the city and DePaul’s social justice mission drew her to the university. As a student in the Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS) program in LAS, gaining an intersectional lens on identity and social justice was crucial to her education. Kennedy even crafted her own concentration in Disability Studies after being encouraged to do so by Professor Ann Russo (Interim Chair and Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies, Director of the Women’s Center), who was a key figure of Kennedy’s experience at DePaul. Since Kennedy was already writing a thesis about disability movements, participating in other related independent study with LAS faculty, and working off-campus in the disability advocacy space, creating her own concentration in Disability Studies simply made sense in the context of her interests and goals. She said that combining the WGS program curriculum with the custom concentration “shaped my understanding of myself and disability in the context of all the variety of experiences that come with disability and intersecting identities.” Kennedy still partners with Dr. Russo to this day.

After graduating from LAS, Kennedy went into nonprofit and consulting work, but over time grew to be more interested in media and representation, especially during the pandemic.

Now, she runs Crip Crap, a disability-focused media platform that she founded in 2021. Through Crip Crap, Kennedy initiates and facilitates conversations about disability “in a way that pushes the needle forward and considers a systemic perspective.” The scope of the platform includes a podcast about disability issues, a blog about disability representation in media, and a consulting branch to help art media and theatre outlets create disability friendly media. Kennedy also makes art and writes characters for various projects. She shared: “thinking about how to contextualize my work in a larger political discourse and public consciousness and challenge people’s perspectives” is an important aspect of the work she does with Crip Crap and beyond. Most recently, she organized and hosted a Crip Pride Beach Day in July 2023 in Hollywood Beach, Chicago, to celebrate Disability Pride Month.

Kennedy shared the following words of wisdom for current LAS students: “be creative with your goals and allow yourself to figure out how to do the things you most want to do.” After graduating college, Kennedy took the first job offered to her because not doing so would have felt too high stakes, but “there’s lots of opportunity and potential for creative work that can have a bigger impact,” she said. “It can take time, but it’s worth learning how to financially navigate what you really want to be doing.”

alumni spotlight Amanda Licastro
 

Amanda Licastro is an alumna of our MA in English Literature and Publishing program and the Digital Scholarship Librarian at Swarthmore College. In this role, she supports digital scholarship across the college, working on faculty, student, and grant-driven projects, and teaches a year-long course called Lib Lab, where students learn about the digital humanities and then work on a digital project for the library.

Prior to working at Swarthmore, Amanda received her doctorate degree from the City University of New York, worked as an Assistant Professor at Stevenson University, and was an Emerging and Digital Literacy Designer at the University of Pennsylvania. In her current role as both a librarian and an instructor, she gets to combine her love for teaching with her passion for digital humanities, both of which she developed as a student in the MA in English Literature and Publishing program at LAS. The unique opportunity to train as a teacher within the Literature program, as well as faculty mentoring and connections that introduced her to the then-emerging field of digital humanities, planted the seeds of interest that propelled Amanda through her career, now landing in a role that encompasses both. These experiences were “essential in helping me shape my career and find future jobs,” she said.

Not only were faculty connections meaningful to Amanda, but the DePaul alumni community impacted her as well. In fact, it was thanks to the rave reviews she heard from DePaul students on a study abroad to Rome as an undergraduate student at Loyola University (Maryland) that she decided to look at DePaul for graduate school. Once in Chicago, the same DePaul students from study abroad, now alumni, adopted her into their friend group. As she started getting settled into the program, she heard about a DePaul Alumni Board member who was looking to hire an assistant in her fashion design studio. Amanda got the job and started working full time in fashion – thanks to the DePaul connection – while completing her masters.

Now as an alumna, Amanda never turns down the opportunity to mentor DePaul graduate students and is always happy to take time out of her day to advise students interested in “alt-ac” (alternative academic) roles such as hers. “I don’t think humanities students hear this often enough: network! We feel awkward about it, but it’s absolutely needed...get on social media, make connections with scholars or professionals you admire, go to events, read their work,” she said, “networking has helped me so much.”

Amanda further advised current students: “take risks and go out of your comfort zone; if something interests you and seems under-studied, under-valued, experimental, or new, explore that. Explore your interests even if it means swimming upstream…DePaul will support that.” She also emphasized the importance of taking opportunities presented by faculty and alumni, as they may “open up paths and broaden opportunities for new growth in areas you might not realize you were interested in.”

alumni spotlight Charles Hawkins
 

Charles Hawkins graduated with his bachelor’s in political science from LAS in 1992. After pursuing a successful career in business, he is most recently embarking on a new adventure as a founder and entrepreneur of Chicago-local, mission-based luxury sneaker company Hawk & Sole. Charles’ professional forays into political science, corporate finance, business entrepreneurship, fashion, and social responsibility are a fascinating illustration of the multifaceted career journeys an LAS degree can catalyze.

When Charles first arrived at DePaul to study political science, he was most interested in eventually becoming an attorney. He was not only in school full time, but also working full time at three part-time jobs: a work-study position at the campus gym, a clerkship at a law firm downtown, and a weekend job at Jewel-Osco. When he wasn’t busy studying or working, he participated in the DePaul intramural basketball league. While his plate was clearly full, Charles still made time to develop socially and make lifelong friends he says he is still in touch with to this day.

After graduation, Charles pivoted into the finance world. Charles says his LAS degree helped him tremendously in business. “One of the things I learned at DePaul, primarily through Political Science, was critical thinking,” he said. In college, the practice of “writing and reading a lot helped me in the business world, where I had to confidently and effectively communicate my opinions in front of clients.” Charles had a 30-year career in finance before shifting once again, this time into fashion entrepreneurship.

Originally passionate about representing the poor as an attorney, after pivoting into finance and doing it for three decades, Charles was ready to “come back to what I can do to help other people,” he shared. At his luxury sneaker company, Hawk & Sole, Charles is not only dedicated to designing and manufacturing quality shoes, he is also committed to paying living wages and allowing employees to own part of the company. In fact, he is currently in the process of applying for B-Corps status. His sneakers are made in the USA, currently out of a small town in Maine, but he eventually plans to bring the manufacturing back to Chicago. His goal is to hire young people who love sneakers and teach them the process of shoemaking. Above all, Charles wants to provide economic opportunity in the city: “I’m all about giving back…I want to have a lasting impact in Chicago.”

Check out Charles’ company Hawk & Sole at their website and on Instagram and Facebook!


alumni spotlight Kekoa Erber
 

Kekoa Erber, BA ‘18, is a phenomenal example of how DePaul’s interdisciplinary education can lead to interesting and fulfilling careers in different fields. Kekoa has used his LAS major in Political Science and minor in Global Asian Studies, combined with a double major in Psychology (College of Science and Health) to forge a career in policy in Washington, D.C. As a Government Relations Associate at the Association for Psychological Science (APS), Kekoa blends these disciplines as an advocate for science at the federal level.

In addition to coursework in Political Sciences, International Relations, Global Asian Studies (GLAS), and Psychology, Kekoa took full advantage of extracurricular opportunities at DePaul. He was president of the Psychology honors society, Psi Chi, and a member of the Political Science honors society, Pi Sigma Alpha. He also had the opportunity to participate in two short term study abroad programs during December term, one to China and another to Japan.

Kekoa’s biggest takeaway from his LAS education is “to keep learning new things,” even after college. He is currently finishing his master's degree in security policy studies at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. He has found that “DePaul laid a lot of the groundwork for me to be prepared for pursuing more education” and that his graduate studies are continuing to build on his academic work at DePaul.

As a Government Relations Associate at the APS, Kekoa utilizes his mix knowledge from the Political Science and Psychology programs. He interacts and builds relationships with Congress, reaching out to offices and explaining what areas should be funded and why. He is also involved with sending letters of support or concern for different bills depending on the APS’s agenda, as well as joining with other science groups and their advocacy.

In addition to his graduate studies and full-time work at APS, Kekoa also shows a steadfast commitment to his involvement with the U.S.-Japan Council, a connection that first began while still a student at DePaul thanks to the guidance of political sciences and GLAS Professor Kathryn Ibata-Arens.

“I enjoyed taking a variety of classes at LAS; I got a well-rounded education and explored a lot of areas that I normally wouldn't have...even if it doesn't seem to have significance in the moment, certain skills become relevant later on,” Kekoa shared. “DePaul also pushed the idea of identifying where we can help the community, getting involved, and giving back.”

As a piece of advice to current students, Kekoa recommends reaching out to alumni. “DePaul has so many alumni doing cool things in cool places, don’t be afraid to reach out and connect.” While certain fields like business have networking built into their culture, Kekoa advocates for students and alumni of the liberal arts and social sciences to embrace networking and making professional connections early on.


alumni spotlight Kendall Rallins
 

Kendall Rallins always knew they wanted to pursue academia. That’s precisely why they chose the MA in Women’s and Gender Studies at LAS. “DePaul felt like a place where I could really grow as a scholar,” more so than other programs they were exploring. “And you can’t beat the faculty here,” they said.

One of her favorite professors was Dr. Anne Mitchell. “I have never seen someone more dynamic in class...she was incredibly engaging.” Dr. Mitchell’s course on Black Women’s Lives and Experiences made a lasting imprint on Kendall as a person and a scholar. “Being taught by a Black queer woman, in a class with all Black students, I learned by example what kind of educator I want to be.”

Although they always knew they wanted to go into academia, Kendall’s time at DePaul helped them refine their scholarly voice and research interests. “There’s a certain form that academia in general tries to push on you, and in each discipline has its own form as well...[but] really good writers craft a voice that is distinctly theirs.” At DePaul, “I learned how to find my own voice as an academic writer,” they shared.

Kendall appreciated the space that the WGS gave her to explore different scholarly interests. “It’s perfectly fine to not have it 100% figured out.” Kendall’s initial research interests was not women in sports, but she wrote a sports-related paper as a one-off. Or so she thought; eventually, several faculty members pointed out that she seemed to be most passionate about that topic. “They told me, you seem excited about this, so you should write about this...this is your project.”

Kendall is currently pursuing a PhD in Feminist Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Their feminist sports studies research focuses on Black queer athletes creating their own spaces. While the trajectory of their work is still developing, they are interested in examining the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality in sports and sports media. They are exploring topics such as the Black queer basketball aesthetic and the performance of politics, especially in the WNBA. This interest began as an examination of herself and her own experience as a Black queer women's basketball player. Kendall was awarded the UCSB Racial Justice Fellowship to fund this work.

Kendall’s time in the WGS program helped her prepare for her current work at UCSB. “My professors created an environment where I could grow as a scholar and carve out a space for myself in academia.”Kendall also credits her WGS cohort for helping her navigate academia and feel comfortable with her work. “We truly respected each other as colleagues, scholars, and people, and were invested in one another’s work.”


alumni spotlight Jordan Wright
 

As an artist, scholar, and researcher, Jordan Wright exemplifies the interdisciplinary spirit characteristic of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (LAS) at DePaul.

Studying in The Art School, Jordan earned their B.A. in Art, Media, and Design with a minor in Creative Writing and was a member of DePaul POETS and the DePaul Black Artists Network. Their artistic practice focused on the Black diasporic experience and social and ecological exploitation in the Midwest.

Jordan made the most of The Art School and the College of LAS. In the classroom, they drew connections between and across disciplines, a practice that would benefit not only their schoolwork, but also their art. “Some of the best classes I took for my art were the ones that were not strictly art classes,” they said. “I was thinking about what I was doing in other classes all the time, and each class informed the other.” In a class on art and artists in contemporary culture, housed in The Art School, Professor Matthew Girson changed the way Jordan developed ideas and wrote academic essays for the rest of their college experience. Through their interdisciplinary education, they gained “a critical thinking lens, a way to process a text even at first read…not just what it’s staying, but why or how they’re saying it.”

Outside of the classroom, Jordan was a student worker at the Special Collections and Archives at the DePaul University Library, where they refined their data entry, metadata, and archival description skills. They also gained valuable professional experience as the Archie Motley Intern at the Chicago History Museum. Their projects included enriching metadata for the Raeburn Flerlage Collection of Chicago Blues and Jazz photography and researching Chicago blues, jazz, and folk venues, musicians, and scenes in the 1960s and 1970s. The learning and connections they gained through these professional opportunities helped them land their current job as a Reader Services and Administrative Assistant at the University of Chicago Library, Special Collections, where they help others feel confident using the archive and doing research.

Jordan recently returned to DePaul for the opening of The Art School’s Fall 2022 Recent Graduates Exhibition, where they were one of five artists showing their work. Sharing advice for future LAS students, Jordan said: “Branch out and take a class in another topic in LAS. It might come back to you in 3 or 10 years and lead to something more holistic and thorough than if you were to narrowly focus on one specific discipline – it’s going to do wonders for your work.”

alumni spotlight Alyssa Hernandez
 

When Alyssa Hernandez first stepped foot on DePaul’s campus, she knew it would be a perfect fit. She remembers her tour guide saying that any student who comes to DePaul, regardless of their background, will leave a better person.

“That’s the beautiful part about DePaul: there’s you the student, and you the person,” Hernandez added. Ultimately, she came to agree with what she first heard from her guide: “DePaul made me a better person and leader, on top of excellent academics.”

Hernandez has certainly embraced the values she shaped at DePaul in her career as a public servant specializing in urban policy: “It has been foundational to who I am.”

Beyond the personal growth and values she honed during college, her academic formation at LAS has been key to her success in the field of urban policy. “My job right now is perfect for what I studied in college, and I didn’t know that at the time.”

Her academic focus on urban policy was informed not only by the classmates, professors, and assignments in Public Policy and Geography, but also by the setting of these experiences – the city of Chicago. “Chicago is your playground, your classroom, and to be studying urban policy in a city like Chicago...” was an amazing experience.

“In a Geography course with [Professor] Euan Hague, he assigned us to ride public transportation from one point of the city to downtown.” Students used what they had learned in their textbook and in the classroom about concentric rings in a city and applied it to what they were seeing on Chicago Transit Authority transportation during this experiential assignment. “You don’t forget assignments like that.”

Alyssa’s academic journey didn’t stop at Geography and Public Policy, though she loved those core courses. “I took classes in communications, through the theatre schools, and a whole host of religion courses that set me up to be a more informed global citizen,” she said. “I loved exploring outside of my programs because I got to follow the topics that were of interest through many different lenses like sociological, philosophical, and geographical.”

After graduating from DePaul, Alyssa attended graduate school at Florida State University, where she studied education policy. She worked at several agencies in the Florida state government before relocating to Cleveland, where she currently serves as the Director of Community Development for the City of Cleveland, overseeing a staff of 90 people. She spends hours in front of the City Council, advocating for more housing, community support, and a wide range of programs in her area.

The through-line of Alyssa’s career has been policy, service, and helping those most in need. “For me, policy is always exciting. I’m a doer.”



Additional Alumni Spotlights by Department Website


American StudiesAfrican & Black Diaspora StudiesCatholic StudiesCritical Ethnic StudiesEnglishGlobal Asian StudiesHistoryInternational StudiesLatin American & Latino StudiesPublic HealthSocial WorkSociology

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