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Fellow & Alumni Achievements

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Alumni Spotlight: January ’25

Alumni Achievement, NewsJanuary 27, 2025

Our alumni are active, growing their careers, and making a difference all over the country. Many are living out their freedom dreams through new business ventures. Take a look at…

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Alumni Spotlight: November ’24

Alumni Achievement, Award ReceivedNovember 13, 2024

Surge Alumni are active, growing their careers, and making a difference all over the country. Take a look at what these Alumni have been doing—and join us in congratulating them…

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Surge Institute Welcomes 2025 Philadelphia Cohort

Continued Learning, NewsOctober 1, 2024

14 Inspiring Education Leaders Join the Philadelphia Surge Academy PHILADELPHIA (October 3, 2024)—Surge Institute’s Philadelphia Surge Academy is thrilled to announce a powerful new collective of 14 brilliant education leaders…

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Surge Antels winners hold their checks

Surge Angels Program Awards $100,000 to Three Ventures Founded by Education Leaders of Color

Alumni Achievement, NewsJuly 18, 2024

  Pitch Night event marks the culmination of a six-month intensive entrepreneurial development cohort  CHICAGO, July 18, 2024 — Surge Institute, a trailblazing organization that empowers leaders of color in education, recently…

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Ulric Shannon Named 2024 Man of Excellence by the Chicago Defender

Alumni Achievement, NewsMay 10, 2024

The Surge Institute is proud to announce that Ulric Shannon has been recognized by the Chicago Defender as a 2024 Man of Excellence. This prestigious honor celebrates African-American men who…

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Alumni Spotlight May 24

Alumni Achievement, NewsMay 10, 2024

Surge Alumni are active, growing their careers, and making a difference all over the country. Take a look at what these Alumni have been doing—and join us in congratulating them…

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Alumni Spotlight 02/24

Alumni Achievement, NewsJanuary 31, 2024

Surge Alumni are active, growing their careers, and making a difference all over the country. Take a look at what these Alumni have been doing—and join us in congratulating them…

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Alumni Spotlight 07/23

Alumni Achievement, NewsJuly 13, 2023

Surge alumni are active, growing their careers, and making a difference all over the country. Many are living out their freedom dreams through new business ventures. Take a look at…

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April 2022 Aijeron Simmons

Alumni Achievement, Professional, Voice ExtensionApril 29, 2022

Aijeron Simmons (OAK’20) will transition into a new role as UTK Coordinator for the 21st Century California School Leadership Academy. (Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education hosts and coordinates the 21CSLA…

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April 2022 Dr. Brandalyn Hayes

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionApril 28, 2022

“Our students can still get what they need as if they were in a physical classroom,” said Dr. Brandalyn Hayes (IND’22) in the Walton Family Foundation’s highlight of Paramount Online…

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April 2022 Christopher Goins

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalApril 25, 2022

Christopher Goins (CHI’16) has been named the next President of Girard College in Philadelphia. Read more here. Girard College is a historic boarding school in North Philadelphia that provides free…

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April 2022 Vanessa Gutiérrez

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionApril 12, 2022

“For me, the stories of our participants reminded me of the strength, creativity, and persistence that lives in our schools and communities, specifically Black and brown communities. There was an…

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April 2022 Edgar Palacios

Alumni Achievement, OtherApril 11, 2022

“Latino students are rarely going to encounter a Latino teacher along their educational journey. We know that when they see themselves reflected in their teachers, they’re going to have better…

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April 2022 TaraShaun Cain

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionApril 11, 2022

“Nobody really focuses on the leaders,” Cain said. “And if we don’t focus on the leaders, specifically Black leaders who are experiencing stress at rates and levels that are higher…

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April 2022 Halleemah Nash

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalApril 5, 2022

Rosecrans Ventures Founder, Halleemah Nash (CHI’17), will join the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program (EICOP) as an Executive in Residence in support of its signature program, HBCU in LA. The…

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April 2022 Garrett Webster

Alumni Achievement, Award ReceivedApril 4, 2022

The South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce honored six projects for the 2022 Community Impact Awards at its Annual Dinner, and Youth Guidance was awarded the Big Impact award of…

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March 2022 Carolina Figueroa

Alumni Achievement, OtherMarch 24, 2022

Naptown United, a new Indianapolis-based soccer club, was featured in a local news segment. Naptown United is led by Stand for Children bilingual organizer and Peruvian native, Carolina Figueroa (IND’21).…

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March 2022 Kim Riley

Alumni Achievement, Award ReceivedMarch 23, 2022

The Transition Academy, an organization founded by Kim Riley (KC’20), was recently announced as one of NewSchools Venture Fund’s newest grantees. She is part of a new group of innovators…

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March 2022 Claudia Montes Salinas

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMarch 14, 2022

Claudia Montes Salinas (IND’22) has begun her new role with Indiana University Health as the Mosaic Center Special Projects Manager. The Mosaic Center for Work, Life and Learning is a…

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March 2022 Dr. Brian Dinkins

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMarch 4, 2022

After receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from students/faculty/staff/alumni, Dr. Brian Dinkins (IND’22) will join the Butler University College of Education faculty as an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership & Director of…

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February 2022 TaraShaun Cain

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalFebruary 28, 2022

TaraShaun Cain (CHI’20) has joined the Surge Leadership team as Executive Director of the Black Principals Network. The Black Principals Network was incubated and funded by Charles and Lynn Schusterman…

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February 2022 Tiara Wheatley

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalFebruary 18, 2022

Tiara Wheatley (CHI’20) has accepted the role of Vice President, Alumni Impact at the Surge Institute. In her new role, Tiara will be responsible for developing the strategy and ensuring successful…

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February 2022 Lateshia Woodley

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalFebruary 16, 2022

Dr. Lateshia Woodley (KC’20) was featured in EdWeek’s 2022 Leaders to Learn From. The honorees are innovative district leaders who have showed resiliency and fortitude as they found ways to…

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February 2022 India Johnson

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalFebruary 15, 2022

The local Indianapolis news recently covered Thrival Indy’s hypnotherapy services and the impact that this focus on mental health has had on our school culture. India Johnson currently serves as…

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January 2022 Diego Báez

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJanuary 14, 2022

The Poetry Foundation has welcomed Diego Báez (CHI’19) as a new Harriet Books reviewer. Named after Harriet Monroe, the founding editor of Poetry Magazine, Harriet Books centers the work of…

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January 2022 Aaron Harris

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJanuary 10, 2022

Aaron Harris (OAK’22) has accepted the role of Dean of Instruction at Aspire Golden State Prep. Aspire’s mission is to open and operate small, high-quality charter schools in low income…

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January 2022 Dirrick Butler

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJanuary 4, 2022

Dirrick Butler (CHI’19) has transitioned to a full-time role of Project OneTen. Founded by Butler as part of his fellowship capstone project, the organization that engages and mentors Black and…

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November 2021 Ashley N. Leonard

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionJanuary 4, 2022

Ashley N. Leonard (CHI’17) served as a panelist for Forefront’s monthly Philanthropy Club convening titled “Black Philanthropy: Money, Mentoring, and More” in her role as a co-chair of the South…

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January 2022 Amanda Paz

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJanuary 1, 2022

Amanda Paz (CHI’18) has been promoted to Associate Principal at the Civic Consulting Alliance. In her new role, she will serve on management team, lead high-impact projects for the City…

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November 2021 India and Keeanna

Alumni Achievement, Award ReceivedDecember 13, 2021

During the 100 Black Men of Indianapolis Dala (day-luh), India Johnson (INDY’21) and Keeanna Warren (INDY’21) were honored for their distinguished performance in the field of education as well as…

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December 2021 AJ DeLeón

Alumni Achievement, Continued LearningDecember 11, 2021

AJ DeLeón (CHI’15) has completed the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative – Education Scaling Program sponsored by the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) and the Latino Business Action Network (LBAN).…

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December 2021 Zuleica Lopez

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalDecember 1, 2021

Zuleica Lopez (OAK’20) was promoted to Senior Director of Program at OneGoal, an organization whose mission is to close the degree divide in America. Learn more about OneGoal at: www.onegoalgraduation.org

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November 2021 Ajia Morris

Alumni Achievement, Award Received, OtherNovember 19, 2021

Ajia Morris (KC’20) was recognized as one of 20 to Know in Commercial Real Estate by the Kansas City Business Journal. Her first project is renovating a 3.7acre city block…

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October 2021 Sonya Mehta

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalOctober 10, 2021

Sonya Mehta (OAK’18) has started a new role as the new Chief of Staff at Families in Action for Quality Education (FIA Oakland). FIA Oakland is a community-organizing coalition working…

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October 2021 AJ DeLeón

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalOctober 2, 2021

AJ DeLeón (CHI’15) was recently nominated and elected into membership of the ECC. Membership in this exclusive club connects him with the heart of Chicago’s C-Suite to learn from more…

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September 2021 Jonathan and Shenita

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalSeptember 10, 2021

Jonathan Chaparro (CHI’17) and Shenita Johnson (CHI’17) have been appointed to the BES National Board of Directors. BES is an organization that invests in leaders so that they can invest…

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September 2021 Cristina Marquez

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalSeptember 8, 2021

Cristina Marquez (KC’20) has begun serving as an adjunct instructor at her alma mater, The University of Kansas (KU). “I have served and will continue to serve as a Field…

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September 2021 India Johnson

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalSeptember 1, 2021

India Johnson (INDY’21) was featured on an episode of Terrell Talks where she shares on her work and how she is lighting the path to the future through her educating…

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August 2021 Dawn Hicks

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalAugust 30, 2021

Dawn Hicks (CHI’17) has accepted a new role as Senior Director of the BES Fellowship at BES. In this role, she will providing direction and strategy to the Fellowship, oversee…

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August 2021 Keeanna Warren

Alumni Achievement, Award ReceivedAugust 13, 2021

Keeanna Warren (INDY’21) has recently accepted the new role of Associate Executive Director of the Purdue Polytechnic HS Network. Read more here. ​​“We want our students to be prepared with…

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August 2021 Sanam Jorjani

Alumni Achievement, Other, ProfessionalAugust 11, 2021

Co-Led by Sanam Jorjani (OAK’19), the Oakland Literacy Symposium (hosted by the Oakland Literacy Coalition) will be a two-day virtual conference that will bring together educators, youth development professionals, leaders,…

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August 2021 Osayuware (Tina) Enagbare

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalAugust 10, 2021

Osayuware (Tina) Enagbare (OAK’18) has been promoted to Head of Talent & Equity at Peer Health Exchange, and she now advises growing her capstone project, the organization’s Youth Advisory Board,…

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August 2021 Liam Bird

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalAugust 10, 2021

Liam Bird (CHI’18) was promoted to Director of Racial Equity Initiatives at Chicago Public Schools. Launched in 2018, Liam is a founding member of the CPS Office of Equity: the…

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August 2021 Jessica Sullivan-Wilson

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionAugust 10, 2021

Jessica Sullivan-Wilson (CHI’21) has transitioned into her new role as Director, Community Affairs at Teach For America – Greater Chicago – Northwest Indiana.

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August 2021 Brittany Jones

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalAugust 6, 2021

Brittany Jones (CHI’20) served on a panel at the ASU GSV Summit 2021 for a conversation on how art, social justice, history, and philanthropy intersect to evolve ways of being…

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August 2021 Michelle Bess

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionAugust 1, 2021

Michelle Y. Bess (CHI’16) was quoted in Crain’s Chicago Business’s recent article on tackling the access/support gap within the technology sector. “I’m thrilled about the work I get to do…

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July 2021 Alberto Morales

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 26, 2021

Chicago Latinos in Philanthropy (CLIP) has announced Alberto Morales (CHI’20) as CLIP’s first Project Manager. Read more in the official press release.

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July 2021 Jermaine Wilson

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 13, 2021

Jermaine Wilson, Ph.D. (KC’20) has accepted a new role as Executive Director of Student Support Services at DeSoto Independent School District.

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July 2021 Elisa Botello

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 5, 2021

Elisa M. Botello (CHI’16) has been appointed as Chief of Staff at Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS). In her new role, Elisa will serve as a member of the…

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July 2021 Dalonte Burns

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 4, 2021

Noble Network of Charter Schools has welcomed Dalonte Burns (CHI’21) as new principal of UIC College Prep. Crain’s Chicago Business also featured him on ‘People on the Move’. Read more…

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July 2021 Jawann Pollard

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 3, 2021

Jawann Pollard (CHI’17) has accepted a new role as Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission at Loyola University Chicago.

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July 2021 Bridget Lee

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 2, 2021

Bridget Lee (CHI’18) has been promoted to Director of Education Strategy. In her new role, she will support the Chief Education Officer in achieving the CPS Vision: Success Starts Here.…

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July 2021 Jennifer Collier

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 2, 2021

July 2021 “We hope that this [program] is just the beginning,” Collier said. “Our students need more of these opportunities to have paid work experiences in their own community. Our students…

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July 2021 Robbie Curry

Alumni Achievement, OtherJuly 1, 2021

Robbie Curry (CHI’20) is bringing to life his Surge Fellowship Freedom Dreams Project, The Marcus Literacy Project, Inc., which is an education tech company that is building a video game…

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July 2021 Ngozi Harris

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 1, 2021

Ngozi Harris (CHI’19) was recently featured on a segment for ‘Our Chicago,’ highlighting the work of Youth Guidance’s WOW program and its impact on girls in Chicago and beyond. See…

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June 2021 Randal Seriguchi, Jr

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionJune 14, 2021

For his work in starting Man the Bay, a four-year fellowship program that trains and supports Black men to become teachers, CBS SF Bay Area presented the Jefferson Award for…

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June 2021 Osayuware (Tina) Enagbare

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJune 13, 2021

Osayuware (Tina) Enagbare (OAK’18) has joined Surge Oakland’s Advisory Board.

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June 2021 Ajia Morris

Alumni Achievement, OtherJune 12, 2021

June 2021 In an effort to boost its reach and impact, The Greenline Initiative, a social enterprise co-founded by Ajia Morris (KC’20), has for the second year partnered with the…

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June 2021 4.0 Schools’ 151 Fellows

Alumni Achievement, Other, ProfessionalJune 12, 2021

Five Surge Alumni were announced as part of 4.0 Schools’ 151 Fellows for their Essentials and New Normal Teams, as well as their Meet the Moment 2.0 Grantees. 4.0 is…

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June 2021 Dr. Lateshia Woodley

Alumni Achievement, Continued LearningJune 12, 2021

Dr. Lateshia Woodley (KC’20) has published her newest book, Navigating Life’s Sling Shots & Leading From Within, a project that was created out of the desire to bring awareness to…

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June 2021 Ada Gomero

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJune 12, 2021

June 2021 Ada Gomero (CHI’20) has accepted a new role as Learning Officer at the MacArthur Foundation. In her new role, she will facilitate the use of data and information…

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June 2021 Chanelle Bell

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJune 11, 2021

June 2021 Chanelle Bell (CHI’19) has been promoted to Senior Managing Director, Public & Community Affairs at TFA Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana. In her new role, she will be leading the…

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June 2021 Geoff Fenelus

Alumni Achievement, Other, ProfessionalJune 2, 2021

On June 22nd, Promise Prep, a new Indianapolis public charter school founded by Geoff Fenelus (INDY’21), had their official ribbon cutting ceremony. Along with the festivities, the school also hosted…

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May 2021 AJ DeLeón

Alumni Achievement, Continued LearningMay 14, 2021

Innovare – Social Innovation Partners, founded by AJ DeLeón (CHI’15) through his Surge Fellowship Capstone project, has become a Google for Education Partner. Google for Education is a service that…

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May 2021 Denmark Diaz

Alumni Achievement, Award Received, ProfessionalMay 13, 2021

Denmark Diaz (OAK’21) has received an award entitled: The Giraffe (Sticking Your Neck Out for Social Justice) Award from SF State University at the Student Affairs and Enrollment Management (SAEM)…

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May 2021 India Wells-Carter

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMay 13, 2021

India Wells-Carter (KC’19) has brought to life her new venture, Fresh Factory KC, a selfie experience inspired by the art and people of Kansas City. Learn more about this next…

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May 2021 Ana Martinez Shropshire

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMay 11, 2021

Ana Martinez Shropshire (CHI’15) has joined Surge’s National Board of Directors. Read the full story here.

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May 2021 Susana Elizarraraz

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMay 10, 2021

Susana Elizarraraz (KC’20) has transitioned as VP of Educator Supports at the Latinx Education Collaborative. In this new role, Susana will help to build LEC’s collective voice and amplify the…

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May 2021 Jordan Owens

Alumni Achievement, Continued Learning, ProfessionalMay 10, 2021

Originating from her Surge Fellowship capstone project, Jordan Owens (CHI’19), recently introduced Msaada, an organization that supports the education, empowerment, access, and equity for parents and students within the special…

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May 2021 Cescily Phillips

Alumni Achievement, Continued LearningMay 10, 2021

In a recent Kansas City Spotlight segment, KC STEM Alliance featured Inspired Aesthetics’ recent event, #RemakeDaysKCCHALK. The project came to life from Surge Alum and Founder/ED of Inspired Aesthetics, Cescily…

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May 2021 India Johnson

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMay 9, 2021

May 2021 India Johnson (INDY’21) was featured on the May/June 2021 issue of Huami Magazine, an African American Community focused publication that serves several U.S. states. The issue will be…

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May 2021 Osayuware (Tina) Enagbare

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMay 9, 2021

Last October 2020, Osayuware (Tina) Enagbare (OAK’18) brought her Surge Fellowship capstone to life. She launched her organization’s 1st Youth Advisory Board and ushered in the next phase of health…

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Jayo Miko Macasaquit

May 2021 Jayo Miko Macasaquit

Alumni Achievement, Professional, Voice ExtensionMay 8, 2021

Jayo Miko Macasaquit (OAK’19) is The 19th’s new Chief People Officer. The 19th is an independent, nonprofit newsroom reporting at the intersection of gender, politics and policy. Learn more about…

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April 2021 Ángel L. Vélez

Alumni Achievement, Other, ProfessionalApril 14, 2021

Ángel L. Vélez (CHI’21) has launched Rabble-Rouser Diversity Consultants LLC, an anti-racist diversity training company that deals with racial equity issues in P-21 education and the workplace. Learn more about…

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April 2021 Melissa Flores

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalApril 13, 2021

Melissa Flores has accepted her new role as COO at the Latino Policy Forum, an organization whose mission is to build the power, influence, and leadership of the Latino community…

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April 2021 Leslye Salinas

Continued LearningApril 10, 2021

A leader who is deeply passionate about supporting community responsive services and access at school sites, Leslye Salinas (OAK’21) will complete her Doctorate in Education from the USC program in Organizational Change and Leadership in…

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April 2021 Diego Báez

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionApril 9, 2021

On Wednesday, April 14th, Truman College (in partnership with Poetry Foundation & Poetry Magazine) will host a virtual poetry reading with Benjamín Naka-Hasebe Kingsley! This gathering is the final culmination…

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April 2021 India Johnson and Keeanna Warren

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionApril 9, 2021

March 2021 For #WomensHistoryMonth, Citizen Education asked readers on social media to nominate the women who are changing education for the better. Congratulations to all those a part of the…

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April 2021 Adanta Ahanonu

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalApril 7, 2021

Adanta Ahanonu (OAK’19) has been promoted as COOP’s first Chief Program Officer. Adanta joined the California team exactly one year ago — re-energizing the regional team out west and revolutionizing…

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April 2021 JuDonne Hemingway

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalApril 6, 2021

JuDonne Hemingway (CHI’19) has accepted the role to serve as the next Principal of Gary Comer Middle School with the Noble Network of Charter Schools.

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April 2021 Natalie Neris

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionApril 6, 2021

Natalie Neris (CHI’17) was a part of a recent panel titled, Equity in Education for All: Closing the Gap. This virtual conversation was moderated by Kate Grossman, a Senior Education Editor…

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April 2021 Cheryl Flores

Professional, Voice ExtensionApril 5, 2021

Cheryl Flores (CHI’19) was elected as a new board member for Telpochcalli Community Education Project (Tcep), a grassroots organization in the Little Village community. She is part of the Donor…

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April 2021 Charles Cole, III

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionApril 5, 2021

April 2021 Charles Cole, III, Ed.D., MPA (OAK’18) has officially released the audiobook for his dissertation titled, “Beyond Grit & Resilience.” Give it a listen today on Audible or Apple…

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April 2021 AJ DeLeón

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionApril 4, 2021

April 2021 AJ DeLeón (CHI’15) was featured on an episode of LatinxAmerica’s Podcast. Click here to give it a listen and learn about AJ’s journey within education, tech and entrepreneurship…

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March 2021 Melissa Connelly

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionMarch 14, 2021

March 2021 As part of their #WomensHistoryMonth celebration, CBS Chicago highlighted Melissa Connelly (CHI’15) for her ongoing work as CEO of OneGoal.

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March 2021 Ana Agarrat

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMarch 13, 2021

Ana Agarrat (CHI’19) is joining fellow alum, ángela mungía (CHI’18), at AMPT: Advancing Nonprofits. She will serve as Associate Director, a role focused on developing and building out the programming…

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February 2021 Jahna Riley

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionFebruary 14, 2021

Jahna Riley (KC’20) was recently interviewed for Startland News regarding her Freedom Dreams Project, Aya Coffee + Books, and its immediate impact thus far. Started as an online bookstore, Aya…

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February 2021 Ángel L. Vélez

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionFebruary 12, 2021

Ángel L. Vélez (CHI’21), doctoral candidate in EPOL and OCCRL research associate, was recently featured in an NBC News story on Racism Within Racial Diversity. Vélez explains the danger of…

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February 2021 Nina Sanchez

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionFebruary 11, 2021

Nina Sanchez (CHI’17) was selected as part of Chicago magazine’s 30 “New Power 30,” highlighting her transformational, equity-centered work as Director of Enrich Chicago.

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February 2021 Will Collins

Alumni Achievement, Award ReceivedFebruary 10, 2021

Will Collins, VP of Development & External Affairs and 2017 Surge Chicago Alum, was recently announced as an inaugural member of the 2021 Black Bench Chicago Fellowship. The Black Bench…

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January 2021 Jessica Cañas

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJanuary 10, 2021

Jessica Cañas (CHI’21) has been promoted to Assistant Director of Education at Enlace Chicago, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of Little Village Residents in Chicago.

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January 2021 Lydia Mercer

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJanuary 9, 2021

2019 Surge Chicago Alum, Lydia Mercer, has launched The (Un)Learning Space. In this space, (Un)learning refers to the process of recognizing and addressing our implicit biases. Through a process rooted…

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January 2021 Destiny Ortega

Alumni Achievement, Award ReceivedJanuary 8, 2021

2020 Surge Chicago Alum, Destiny Ortega, has been promoted to Associate Principal at Civic Consulting Alliance, a non-profit consulting organization that works on high-impact projects with government agencies in the…

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January 2021 Allissa Impink

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJanuary 8, 2021

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Indiana announced an exciting staff addition late last year, bringing on local education leader Allissa Impink to serve as Manager of Community Engagement for K-12…

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December 2019 Candace-Moore

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalDecember 16, 2020

December 2019 At the PILI Annual Awards Luncheon, Shareholder and Secretary of the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) Board of Directors, Daniel Lange, presented the Distinguished Intern Alumni Award to…

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December 2020 Ma’at Lands

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionDecember 15, 2020

“Tech is something that is still moving forward. While the world has to stop and the world has slow down we know, and we see that the tech world and…

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December 2020 Candace Moore

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionDecember 14, 2020

2015 Surge Chicago Alum, Candace Moore’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice for the city of Chicago has announced a citywide Together We Heal initiative, which invites Chicagoans between now…

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December 2020 Chicago Public Schools

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalDecember 12, 2020

Surge Chicago Alumni have been elected as representatives for Local School Council(s) within Chicago Public Schools. See below for full results. Nicole W. Beechum (CHI16) elected as a Parent Representative…

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October 2020 DuJuan Smith

Alumni Achievement, Continued Learning, Voice ExtensionDecember 11, 2020

DuJuan Smith, 2015 Surge Chicago Alum, has successfully defended his dissertation, Black While Leading: Unmasking the Lived Experiences of Senior-Level Black Men Administrators at Historically White Institutions and earned his…

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May 2020 Adanta Ahanonu

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalDecember 6, 2020

April 2020 2019 Surge Oakland Alum, Adanta Ahanonu, has accepted a new position as Senior Director of Program for California at COOP Careers. The organization’s mission is to build a…

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November 2020 Halleemah Nash

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionDecember 6, 2020

“To be of service to the younger me.” 2017 Surge Chicago Alum, Halleemah Nash, appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show where she shared the impact she’s had through her company,…

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August 2020 Aurora Flores Garcia

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalDecember 4, 2020

Aurora Flores Garcia (CHI’18) has been promoted to Director of Undergraduate Success at National Louis University. In her new role, she will oversee the work of the Student Success Coaching…

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November 2020 Joanna Vazquez Zelaya

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalNovember 15, 2020

2018 Surge Oakland Alum, Joanna Vazquez Zelaya, has accepted a new role as Public Policy Manager at Alliance for a Better Community. The mission of ABC is to promote economic…

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November 2020 Kyra Mungia

Alumni Achievement, Award Received, Voice ExtensionNovember 14, 2020

2019 Surge Oakland Alum, Kyra Mungia, was featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 2021 in education. She is the youngest director or deputy director working in the mayor’s office in…

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November 2020 Taica Hsu

Alumni Achievement, Award Received, Continued LearningNovember 13, 2020

2019 Surge Oakland Alum, Taica Hsu, was recently selected as part of The Roddenberry Foundation 2021 Fellowship. Launched in 2016, the Roddenberry Fellowship is a $1mil investment in the innovators,…

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November 2020 Derrick M. Fleming, Jr.

Alumni Achievement, Award Received, Continued LearningNovember 12, 2020

Initiated by 2020 Surge Chicago Alum Derrick M. Fleming, Jr., The #JUSTBE campaign. is meant to help dismantle current and historic systemic forms of oppression or indifference, foster anti-racism, eliminate…

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November 2020 Melissa Connelly

Alumni Achievement, Award Received, Voice ExtensionNovember 8, 2020

OneGoal who were selected as a winner of The New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof’s 2020 Holiday Impact Prize. Special shoutout to 2015 Surge Chicago Alum and CEO of OneGoal,…

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November 2020 Melissa Connelly

Alumni Achievement, Award Received, Voice ExtensionNovember 6, 2020

November 2020 2015 Surge Chicago Alum, Candace Moore, was recently featured in Bloomberg Cities’ highlight of 10 innovators who are raising the bar in the fight against COVID-19.  November 2020…

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November 2020 Garrett Webster

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalNovember 6, 2020

2020 Surge Alum, Garrett Webster Sr., will serve as the Executive Director of Kansas City as Youth Guidance announces the launch of their #BAM and #WOW programs in Missouri in…

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November 2020 Dominique McKoy

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionNovember 5, 2020

“As college success advocates in this moment, we must consider whether asking our students to persevere more is truly a credible or responsible strategy.” The team at The University of…

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November 2020 Jacqueline Rodriguez

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionNovember 4, 2020

“(Multilingual students) finish high school with such an advantage. Here we have children already with that advantage that we’re telling them that they don’t have.” Jacqueline Rodriguez, Director of ESOL…

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November 2020 Ashley Leonard

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionNovember 4, 2020

“Radically reimagining what’s possible in education through relationships will not only prepare middle schoolers to navigate school in the age of coronavirus but all of the challenges this moment in…

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October 2020 Keeanna Warren

Alumni Achievement, Award ReceivedOctober 16, 2020

2021 Surge Academy Fellow, Keeanna Warren, was recently awarded the Outstanding Educator in STEM award during the 2020 Women & Hi Tech Leading Light Awards and Scholarship Gala. The Leading…

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October 2020 Edgar Palacios

Alumni Achievement, Award ReceivedOctober 15, 2020

The Latinx Education Collaborative hosted its third annual professional and leadership development conference, Evolución, for Latinx education professionals (and friends) virtually on Saturday, October 24, 2020 streaming live from 9 am…

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October 2020 Savitha Moorthy, Aija Simmons and Sara Rizik-Baer

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionOctober 13, 2020

EmbraceRace recently spoke with Savitha Moorthy and Surge Oakland Alums Aija Simmons and Sara Rizik-Baer to describe Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors, a community-focused effort from Tandem, Partners in…

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October 2020 Tyfahra Singleton

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalOctober 12, 2020

2020 Surge Oakland Alum, Tyfahra Singleton, has been appointed to the Oakland Police Commission. The purpose of the Police Commission is to oversee the Oakland Police Department’s policies, practices, and…

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October 2020 William Collins

Alumni Achievement, Professional, Voice ExtensionOctober 11, 2020

2017 Surge Chicago Alum and VP of Development & External Affairs, Will Collins, served as moderator for The Chicago Urban League’s October 13 Fireside Chat with Michael Strautmanis, Chief Engagement…

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October 2020 Ajia Morris

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionOctober 10, 2020

“For me, it’s an opportunity to put your money where your mouth is and say, ‘Hey, I truly care about my friends on the east side and this is how…

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October 2020 Lilly Cruz

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionOctober 9, 2020

“I grew up thinking that I was inferior, that we were less and here are these intrepid, brilliant revolutionaries who thought differently and did incredible things. There’s a fire that…

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September 2020 ASU+GSV Summit

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionSeptember 16, 2020

For the first time, the ASU+GSV Summit featured an all Surge Institute Alumni panel: Katie Boody (KC19); Melissa Connelly (CHI15); Candace Moore (CHI15); Randal Seriguchi, Jr. (OAK18). The panel was…

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October 2020 Chanelle Bell

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalSeptember 16, 2020

2019 Surge Chicago Alum, Chanelle Bell, has been promoted to Managing Director, Public and Community Affairs at Teach For America Chicago-NWI. In her new role, she will manage a portfolio…

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September 2020 Charles Cole

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalSeptember 13, 2020

Educate78 and Energy Convertors have launched The People’s Literacy Fund, a new pilot program that will award grants between $500 and $5,000 to members of the community who are helping…

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September 2020 DuJuan Smith

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalSeptember 11, 2020

2015 Surge Chicago Alum, DuJuan Smith, has been named a 2020 Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Fellow at Illinois State University. Read more about the list of recipients HERE.

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September 2020 Nicole Beechum

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalSeptember 10, 2020

September 2020 “Even before the upheaval of the last several months, our education system was in dire need of a shift in how to define success for our young people.”…

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August 2020 Katie Boody

Alumni Achievement, Award Received, OtherAugust 16, 2020

LEANLAB Education (Katie Boody, Co-Founder & CEO) announced the first recipients of their $50,000 Micro-Grant Support Fund, which included the impact and work of six Surge Alumni. Learn more about…

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August 2020 DuJuan Smith

Alumni Achievement, Award Received, OtherAugust 8, 2020

2015 Surge Chicago Alum, DuJuan Smith, has accepted the role of Associate Director of Graduate Advising for The University of Chicago Professional Education. This opportunity will allow him to serve…

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August 2020 Charles King and Edgar Palacios

Alumni Achievement, Award Received, OtherAugust 7, 2020

2020 Surge Alumni Charles King and Edgar Palacios have been announced as part of the fifth cohort of the Deeper Learning Equity Fellowship, which is made up of sixteen emerging leaders…

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August 2020 Melissa Flores

Alumni Achievement, Award Received, OtherAugust 6, 2020

August 2020 2019 Surge Chicago Alum Melissa Flores has been elected to the Harvard University Graduate School of Education’s Alumni Council, for which she will be serving for four years. In addition,…

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August 2020 Melissa Flores

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalAugust 5, 2020

2019 Surge Chicago Alum Melissa Flores has been elected to the Harvard University Graduate School of Education’s Alumni Council, for which she will be serving for four years. In addition, she has…

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August 2020 JuDonne Hemingway

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionAugust 5, 2020

August 2020 2019 Surge Chicago Alum JuDonne Hemingway will be moderating at the 2020 InnoPower Minority Business Conference. She will be a part of a discussion on “Education CEOs: The…

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August 2020 Sonya Mehta

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionAugust 4, 2020

2018 Surge Oakland Alum Sonya Mehta was featured on an episode of on PRI’s The World! She, along with others, spoke with reporter Rupa Shenoy about how they feel as…

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August 2020 Cristina Marquez

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalAugust 4, 2020

2020 Surge Academy Kansas City Alum, Cristina Marquez, has recently accepted a new role the Founding Social Worker at Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy.

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August 2020 Ulric Shannon

Alumni Achievement, Continued Learning, ProfessionalAugust 3, 2020

August 2020 2020 Surge Chicago Fellow Ulric Shannon has been accepted into the The Chicago Urban League’s IMPACT Leadership Development Program for emerging African-American Leaders in Chicago.

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August 2020 Ty-Licia Hooker

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionAugust 2, 2020

“It takes a village, and our babies need the excellence and support that you have to offer.” 2019 Surge Oakland Alum Ty-Licia Hooker has recently published her first article in…

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August 2020 Aija Simmons

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionAugust 1, 2020

August 2020 Now, more than ever, students and teachers must draw on their social and emotional capacities in order to be resilient and to learn through this pandemic. Both adults…

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July 2020 Paul Morgan

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 16, 2020

July 2020 2018 Surge Chicago Alum, Paul Morgan, has accepted a position with Northwestern Mutual as a Financial Representative. In his new role, he plans to support and work with…

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July 2020 Dirrick Butler

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 15, 2020

July 2020 2019 Surge Chicago Alum, Dirrick Butler, has recently accepted his new role as Managing Director of Partnerships and Civic Engagement at City Year Chicago.

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July 2020 Teni Ugbah

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 14, 2020

July 2020 2020 Surge Oakland Alum Teni Ugbah has been promoted from a Senior Analyst, Certificated Recruitment to SFUSD’s Manager, Recruitment. In this role, she will lead the recruitment efforts…

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July 2020 Jacqueline Rodriguez

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 13, 2020

July 2020 2020 Surge Alum Jacqueline Rodriguez has been promoted to Director of ESOL & Migrant Programs at KCKPS. In this role, she will oversee the ESOL department for the…

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July 2020 Nick Freeman

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 11, 2020

July 2020 2019 Surge Chicago Alum Nick Freeman has recently been accepted to the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design’s Executive Program for Social Innovation Design.

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July 2020 David Muhammad

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 11, 2020

July 2020 2020 Surge Academy Kansas City Alum, David Muhammad, has recently accepted a new role a Martial Arts Enrichment Teacher at Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy.

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July 2020 Ulric Shannon

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 10, 2020

2019 Surge Chicago Fellow, Ulric Shannon, has recently accepted his new role as the Director of Partner Engagement at AUSL (Academy for Urban School Leadership).

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Jayo Miko Macasaquit

July 2020 Jayo Miko Macasaquit

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 10, 2020

July 2020 2019 Surge Oakland Alum, Jayo Miko Macasaquit, has recently accepted his new role as Director of HR at Mother Jones / Foundation for National Progress.

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July 2020 AJ DeLeón

Alumni Achievement, Award Received, Voice ExtensionJuly 10, 2020

July 2020 2015 Surge Chicago Alum AJ DeLeón was recently featured in a special edition Negocios Now’s “Who’s Who in Hispanic Chicago 2020” publication. View the full piece HERE.

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July 2020 Paul Fields

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 9, 2020

2019 Surge Oakland Alum, Paul Fields has recently accepted his new role as Director of Programs and Partnerships (DoPP) at The Knowledge House, Inc. in The Bronx, NYC. In his…

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July 2020 Kim Riley

Alumni Achievement, Professional, Voice ExtensionJuly 8, 2020

July 2020 Founded by 2020 Surge Academy Kansas City Alum Kim Riley, The Transition Academy is an organization focused on college/career exploration for high school students impacted by autism and…

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July 2020 Ariel Johnson

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 7, 2020

July 2020 2016 Surge Chicago Alum Ariel Johnson has been promoted to the C-suite as Chief of Staff of INCS.

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July 2020 ángela munguía

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 6, 2020

July 2020 2018 Surge Chicago Alum ángela munguía has recently transitioned into her new role as founding Executive Director for AMPT: Advancing Nonprofits. AMPT is a new, Chicago-based initiative that…

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July 2020 D. Nigel Green

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 5, 2020

2017 Surge Chicago Alum D. Nigel Green has accepted his new role as Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at the Noble Network of Charter Schools.

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June 2020 Edgar Palacios and Laura Isabel Alvarez

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionJune 16, 2020

June 2020 Surge Academy Kansas City Alumnae Edgar Palacios and Laura Isabel Alvarez appeared on Up NeXt with Kiona where they talked about family, community, leading change, and how the…

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June 2020 Dirrick Butler

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionJune 15, 2020

June 2020 Project OneTen, an organization founded by 2019 Surge Chicago Alum, Dirrick Butler, celebrated their first cohort, The McGuire Cohort, as they wrapped up their first year of high…

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June 2020 Susanna Elizarraraz

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJune 14, 2020

June 2020 Susanna Elizarraraz, 2020 Surge Academy Kansas City Alum, will continue her community-driven work with the Latinx Education Collaborative as the organization’s new Chief Community Officer. June 2020 Roilyn…

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June 2020 Nina Smith

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionJune 14, 2020

June 2020 Nina Smith, 2019 Surge Chicago Alum and Executive Director for LEAP, recently spoke on BONNIE’S EYE on 95.1 FM Chicago where she spoke on how to prepare our…

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June 2020 Roilyn Graves

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJune 13, 2020

June 2020 Roilyn Graves, 2019 Surge Oakland Alum was promoted to Director of Special Education at Envision Education.

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June 2020 Ty-Licia Hooker

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionJune 9, 2020

June 2020 Ty-Licia Hooker, 2019 Surge Oakland Alum, was recently featured on the first episode of the HMTWNHERO podcast. During the episode, they discuss the murder of George Floyd and…

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June 2020 Marjorie Johnson

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJune 8, 2020

May 2020 Marjorie Johnson, 2020 Surge Oakland Fellow, has accepted her new role as Principal for Envision Academy Middle Grades and will continue fulfilling her vision for students centered on…

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May 2020 Darryl McDavid

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMay 17, 2020

Darryl McDavid, 2020 Surge Oakland Fellow, has joined the Board of Director for First Place for Youth, an organization dedicated to helping foster youth build the skills they need to…

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May 2020 David Muhammad

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMay 16, 2020

May 2020 David Muhammad, 2020 Surge Academy Kansas City Alum, was featured on KCTV news regarding his impactful work as a karate instructor amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out the…

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May 2020 Bryan Jackson

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionMay 4, 2020

2017 Surge Chicago Alum Bryan Jackson and others have officially launched the “Dad Genes: Exploring the DNA of Healthy Fathering” podcast.

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May 2020 Katie Boody

Alumni Achievement, Award Received, ProfessionalApril 16, 2020

LEANLAB Education, an organization founded by 2019 Surge Academy Kansas City Alum Katie Boody that builds communities and launches transformational innovations into K12 schools, recently secured $460K to help schools…

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April 2020 Alberto Morales

Alumni Achievement, Award Received, ProfessionalApril 4, 2020

April 2020 2020 Surge Chicago Fellow, Alberto Morales was selected as part Chicago Scholars 35 Under 35 for 2020.

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April 2020 David Blancas

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMarch 17, 2020

2020 Surge Chicago Fellow, David Blancas has accepted the role of Program Manager for the City of Aurora Financial Empowerment Center at The Neighbor Project.

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April 2020 Kyra Mungia

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMarch 16, 2020

March 2020 2019 Surge Oakland Alum, Kyra Mungia, has been promoted to Deputy Director of Education with the Office of the Mayor, City of Oakland. In addition, she has been…

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March 2020 Terrence Pruitt and Steven Rosado

Alumni Achievement, Other, ProfessionalMarch 6, 2020

March 2020 2019 Surge Chicago Alumni Terrence Pruitt and Steven Rosado are collaborating together to facilitate the “Communities of Praxis” gatherings, a virtual space to process, collaborate and radically re-imagine…

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March 2020 JuDonne Hemingway

Alumni Achievement, Professional, Voice ExtensionMarch 5, 2020

JuDonne Hemingway, 2019 Surge Chicago Alum was featured in a Teach for America online article titled, “Women Empowering Women: Inspirations and Resources from Seasoned Female Leaders.”

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March 2020 Adelric McCain

Alumni Achievement, Award ReceivedMarch 4, 2020

Adelric McCain, 2018 Surge Chicago Alum was selected for the Leadership Award by the San Francisco Coalition of Essential Small Schools (SF-CESS) for his work as well as that of…

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March 2020 Grisel Maldonado and Ernesto Saldivar, Jr

Alumni Achievement, Award ReceivedMarch 3, 2020

February 2020 Grisel Maldonado, 2015 Surge Chicago Alum, and Ernesto Saldivar, Jr., 2019 Surge Chicago Alum were selected as part of Negocios Now’s list of Latinos 40 Under 40 Class…

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February 2020 Edgar Palacios

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionFebruary 17, 2020

February 2020 Edgar Palacios, 2019 Surge Academy Kansas City Alum, and the Latinx Education Collaborative worked with Scuola Vita Nuova sixth-grade students on a Shark Tank-style design thinking project.

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February 2020 Charles Cole, III

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionFebruary 16, 2020

February 2020 Charles Cole, III, 2018 Surge Oakland Alum was featured on a podcast episode with Dr. Boyce Wakins.

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February 2020 Randy Seriguchi, Jr

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionFebruary 15, 2020

January 2020 Randy Seriguchi, Jr., 2018 Surge Oakland Alum was featured on an episode of the Cook on Monday Morning Podcast.

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January 2020 Jonathan Chaparro

Alumni Achievement, Award ReceivedJanuary 16, 2020

Jonathan Chaparro, 2017 Surge Chicago Alum was announced as a DE&I Honoree from the Chicago Latino Network.

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January 2020 Steven Rosado

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJanuary 15, 2020

Steven Rosado, 2019 Surge Chicago Alum has joined the Praxis Institute Chicago as the Director of Strategy and Engagement. The Praxis Institute Chicago works with individuals, teams, communities, and organizations…

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January 2020 Sara Rizik-Baer

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionJanuary 13, 2020

January 2020 Sara Rizik-Baer, 2018 Surge Oakland Alum was featured on a Learn with Less podcast episode titled “Choosing Books for Infants and Toddlers.”

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January 2020 Adrian DeLeón and Nick Freeman

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionJanuary 12, 2020

Innovare – Social Innovation Partners, an organization co-founded by Adrian DeLeón, 2015 Surge Chicago Alum, and Nick Freeman, 2019 Surge Chicago Alum, was selected as part of the GSV Ventures’…

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January 2020 Darryl McDavid

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionJanuary 11, 2020

Darryl McDavid, 2020 Surge Oakland Fellow was recently featured in LADYGUNN magazine’s piece, “Life After Foster Care.”

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January 2020 Janene Ingram

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJanuary 10, 2020

January 2020 2019 Surge Chicago Alum, Janene Ingram, has accepted the role of Director of Program for Pitch In – Wood Family Foundation. In her new role, Janene will will…

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January 2020 Chanelle Bell

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionJanuary 9, 2020

TEDxNaperville recently published 2019 Surge Chicago Alum, Chanelle Bell’s TEDxTalk titled “How theatre helped me reclaim my power.”

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December 2019 Candace-Moore

Alumni Achievement, Award ReceivedDecember 14, 2019

At the PILI Annual Awards Luncheon, Shareholder and Secretary of the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) Board of Directors, Daniel Lange, presented the Distinguished Intern Alumni Award to 2015 Surge…

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December 2019 Terrence A. Pruitt

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalDecember 14, 2019

December 2019 2019 Surge Chicago Alum, Terrence A. Pruitt founded Project Restore Initiative LLC. Project Restore Initiative (PRI) provides curriculum development, consulting, training and coaching services to organizations, school districts,…

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December 2019 Natalie Neris and Jacare Thomas

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalDecember 8, 2019

Natalie Neris, 2017 Surge Chicago Alum, and Jacare Thomas, 2019 Surge Chicago Alum have been accepted as CUE (Chicago United for Equity) Fellows for the 2020 cohort. Read more HERE.

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November 2019 Jacare Thomas

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalNovember 17, 2019

November 2019 2019 Surge Chicago Alum, Jacare Thomas has accepted the role, Chief of Growth and Innovation, for the Umoja Student Development Corporation. In his new role, Jacare will lead…

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November 2019 Amanda Paz

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalNovember 13, 2019

November 2019 Amanda Paz, 2018 Surge Chicago Alum started a new role as a Senior Associate at the Civic Consulting Alliance.

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November 2019 Ashley Leonard

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalNovember 12, 2019

November 2019 2017 Surge Chicago Alum, Ashley Leonard, accepted a new role as the Founding Associate Director of the Middle Grades Network for the To&Through Project at the University of…

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November 2019 Zakir Parpia

Alumni Achievement, Professional, Voice ExtensionNovember 2, 2019

November 2019 2019 Surge Oakland Alum, Zakir Parpia, recently served as a co-editor for the National AfterSchool Association (NAA)’s magazine “After School Today.” Read it  HERE.

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October 2019 Edgar Jose Palacios and Randy Seriguchi Jr.

Alumni Achievement, Professional, Voice ExtensionOctober 17, 2019

October 2019 The Latinx Education Collaborative (Founder/CEO & 2019 Surge Academy Alum – Edgar Jose Palacios) and Urban Ed Academy (Executive Director & 2018 Surge Oakland Alum – Randy Seriguchi…

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October 2019 Maraliz Salgado

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionOctober 16, 2019

October 2019 2018 Surge Fellowship Alum, Maraliz Salgado, played the role of Camila in The Miracle Center’s recent rendition of “In the Heights.”

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September 2019 Bridget Lee

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalSeptember 17, 2019

2018 Surge Fellowship Alum, Bridget Lee, has been promoted to the role of Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives for Chicago Public Schools.

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September 2019 Michael Johns

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalSeptember 12, 2019

September 2019 Michael Johns, Director of Student Activities at Kennedy-King College and 2016 Surge Chicago Alum was recently a part of an initiative that started a food pantry for the…

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September 2019 Katie Boody and Edgar Palacios

Alumni Achievement, Continued Learning, ProfessionalSeptember 11, 2019

LEANLAB Education, an organization co-founded by 2019 Surge Academy Alumna, Katie Boody, recently welcomed ten companies to their latest fellowship who will be met with real-world classroom partners from nine…

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September 2019 Nina Smith

Alumni Achievement, Award Received, Continued LearningSeptember 10, 2019

September 2019 2019 Surge Alumna, Nina Smith was selected to join the Barbara Bowman Leadership Fellows Program 2019-2020 cohort. Now in its fourth year, the program bridges the early childhood…

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September 2019 Dominique McKoy

Alumni Achievement, Continued LearningSeptember 9, 2019

2018 Surge Alumnus, Dominique McKoy will be pursuing his MA in Public Policy through the University of Chicago Harris School Evening Masters Program. Designed for working professionals, the Harris Evening…

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September 2019 Charles King

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalSeptember 7, 2019

2019 Surge Academy Alumnus, Charles King currently serves as President and Executive Director for the Kansas City Teacher Residency, an organization that has just been selected as a new partner…

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September 2019 Grisel Maldonado

Alumni Achievement, Continued LearningSeptember 5, 2019

2015 Surge Alumna, Grisel Maldonado will be starting her Executive MBA at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University this Fall. She decided to pursue an MBA to continue…

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September 2019 Andrea Black

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionSeptember 4, 2019

2017 Surge Alumna, Andrea Black was recently featured in an article for Teach for America. The article titled, “How One Principal Is Building Student and Teacher Confidence,” highlights Andrea’s 6+…

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September 2019 Michelle Kemp

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalSeptember 4, 2019

2018 Surge Alumna, Michelle Kemp founded MK Consulting Group, a new consulting firm that focuses on diversity recruitment, human capital management, and project management.

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September 2019 Charles Cole

Alumni Achievement, Professional, Voice ExtensionAugust 17, 2019

August 2019 2018 Surge Oakland Alumnus, Charles Cole, III, Ed.D., recently released his book, Beyond Grit and Resilience: How Black Men Impacted by the Crack Epidemic Succeeded Against the Odds…

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September 2019 Kyra Marcano

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalAugust 16, 2019

2018 Surge Alumna, Kyra Marcano founded Brilliant Light, LLC, which provides strategic consultative support to clients ranging from identifying individual impact to larger scale strategic planning, staff development, and training.

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September 2019 Natalia Torres

Alumni Achievement, Continued LearningAugust 3, 2019

2018 Surge Alumna, Natalia Torres will be pursuing her Masters in Education – School Leadership with a principal licensure at the Harvard Graduate School of Education this fall.

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July 2019 Everett Daily

Alumni Achievement, Award Received, Continued LearningJuly 17, 2019

July 2019 2019 Surge Fellow, Everett Daily recently received an award for Outstanding Educator/Administrator from the Office of Congressman Danny Davis. The award highlights Everett’s work and dedication to connecting…

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July 2019 Janene Ingram

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 15, 2019

July 2019 2019 Surge Fellow, Janene Ingram has accepted the role of Managing Director, Strategy & Chief of Staff, Collective Leadership & Engagement at Teach for America. This role is…

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July 2019 Dulce Torres-Petty

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 14, 2019

2019 Surge Oakland Fellow Dulce Torres-Petty has been promoted to Senior Program Manager for the Brilliant Baby program, the early childhood program of Oakland Promise, helping low-income parents and guardians…

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June 2019 Christopher Goins

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 14, 2019

June 2019 2016 Surge Alumnus, Christopher Goins accepted the position of Chief Equity Officer for Thrive Chicago, in partnership with the Obama Foundation, to lead My Brother’s Keeper Alliance for…

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July 2019 Melissa Flores

Alumni Achievement, Award ReceivedJuly 2, 2019

2019 Surge Chicago Fellow, Melissa Flores, along with 24 other Chicago Non Profit leaders, were selected as part of the Negocios Now “Who’s Who in Hispanic Chicago.” Melissa was recognized…

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July 2019 Cesar Dominguez

Alumni Achievement, Continued Learning, ProfessionalJuly 2, 2019

2017 Surge Alumnus, Cesar Dominguez was accepted into the Broad Residency for The Broad Center. The Broad Residency in Urban Education provides the opportunity for outstanding management professionals to apply…

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July 2019 Bryan Jackson

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionJuly 2, 2019

2017 Surge Alumnus, Bryan Jackson participated on the panel, Creating Inclusive Environments for Every Player, at the US Soccer Foundation’s National Conference in Washington D.C. Approximately 150 national Soccer for…

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July 2019 Jonathan Chaparro

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionJuly 2, 2019

2017 Surge Alumnus, Jonathan Chaparro has been selected as part of the Class of 2020 for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ Emerging Leaders Program. Every year the Chicago Council…

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July 2019 Steven Rosado

Alumni Achievement, Professional, Voice ExtensionJuly 1, 2019

2019 Surge Fellow, Steven Rosado founded Rosado Consulting Collaborative, which provides clients with services in the following domains; community outreach and civic engagement; curriculum development and program design for youth-serving…

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June 2019 Dawn Hick

Alumni Achievement, Professional, Voice ExtensionJune 17, 2019

2017 Surge Alumna, Dawn Hick founded DSH Coaching and Consulting, LLC where she provides coaching to mission driven leaders who are ready to discover their innate greatness and move in…

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June 2019 Michelle Bess

Alumni Achievement, Professional, Voice ExtensionJune 15, 2019

Degrees of Change, a national college success, and leadership development organization, announced that its board of directors has appointed 2016 Surge Alumna, Michelle Bess, as new chair of the board.…

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June 2019 Nick Freeman and LeShonne Segura

Alumni Achievement, Voice ExtensionJune 14, 2019

2019 Surge Fellow, Nick Freeman, and 2015 Surge Alumna, LeShonne Segura, were named Chicago Agents of Change by Education Pioneers at their Annual Luncheon. Agents of Change work on behalf…

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May 2019 AJ DeLeón

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMay 17, 2019

2015 Surge Alumnus, AJ DeLeón was selected to become a member of the NationSwell Council. The NationSwell Council (NSC) is a membership community of service-minded leaders; people who have achieved…

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May 2019 Marilyn Rhames

Alumni Achievement, Professional, Voice ExtensionMay 15, 2019

Teachers Who Pray, an organization founded by 2016 Surge Alumna, Marilyn Rhames, recently had its 6th Annual Conference in Chicago, IL. In addition, Marilyn also released her new book, The…

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May 2019 Candace Moore

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMay 14, 2019

May 2019 2015 Surge Alumna, Candace Moore, has been named the city of Chicago’s first Chief Equity Officer. In her new role, she will be responsible for shaping a new…

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April 2019 Melissa Connelly

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalApril 17, 2019

2015 Surge Alumna Melissa Connelly has accepted the role as the new CEO for OneGoal. Melissa joined OneGoal five years ago and previously served as the Chief Program Officer. OneGoal…

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March 2019 Cheryl Flores

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMarch 17, 2019

2019 Surge Fellow Cheryl Flores has accepted the role of Director of Academic and Social Emotional Supports at the Golden Apple Foundation. In this role, Cheryl will support student’s successful college completion,…

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March 2019 Ariel Johnson

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMarch 15, 2019

2016 Surge Alumna Ariel Johnson has accepted the role of Director of Government Affairs The Illinois Network of Charter Schools/INCS Action. In this role, Ariel holds a number of responsibilities which…

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March 2019 Onel Abreu

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMarch 14, 2019

2019 Surge Fellow Onel Abreu was accepted into the Urban Leaders Fellowship program, for the summer of 2019. The Urban Leaders Fellowship is a summer fellowship for early- to mid-career professionals…

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March 2019 Michael Johns

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMarch 9, 2019

2016 Surge Alumnus Michael Johns has accepted the role of Director of Student Activities at Kennedy-King College. In this role, Michael is responsible for the strategic planning and development of co-curricular…

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March 2019 Ty-Licia Hooker

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalMarch 4, 2019

March 2019 2019 Surge Fellow Ty-Licia Hooker will be honored with Saint Vincent’s Day School 30th Annual Children’s Choice Award, on March 29, 2019. Ty-Licia’s efforts as Executive Director and Co-Founder of…

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February 2019 Liam Bird

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalFebruary 15, 2019

February 2019 2018 Surge Alumnus Liam Bird has accepted the role of Equity Policy Strategist (EPS) at Chicago Public Schools. In his new role, Liam will be responsible for conducting policy…

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February 2019 Tamara Hoff Pope

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalFebruary 5, 2019

2018 Surge Alumna Tamara Hoff Pope accepted the role of Managing Director of College Success at Chicago Scholars. Chicago Scholars uniquely selects, trains, and mentors academically ambitious students from under-resourced communities to…

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February 2019 Janine Franklin

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalFebruary 3, 2019

2018 Surge Alumna Janine Franklin has accepted the role of Project Director at the The University of Chicago Urban Labs. Urban Labs works to address challenges across five key dimensions of urban…

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February 2019 Andres Avila

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalFebruary 2, 2019

2017 Surge Alumnus Andres Avila has accepted the role of School Counselor, Junior Lead at Back of the Yards College Prep. In this role, Andres works to ensure that all…

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December 2018 Khadeejah Lasuc-Lewis

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalDecember 18, 2018

2016 Surge Alumna Khadeejah Lasuc-Lewis has accepted the role of Vice President of Talent and Training at Chicago Scholars, an organization that uniquely selects, trains, and mentors academically ambitious students from…

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November 2018 Aimee Rodriguez

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalNovember 17, 2018

2019 Surge Fellow Aimee Rodriguez has accepted the role of Title IX Compliance & Training at Chicago Public Schools. In this role Aimee leads a team to develop, implement, monitor,…

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October 2018 Nicole Magtoto

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalOctober 17, 2018

October 2018 2018 Surge Alumnus Nicole Magtoto recently published a blog entry for the San Francisco Coalition of Essential Small Schools using the theme of identity awareness, reflect on the…

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October 2018 Lydia Mercer

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalOctober 15, 2018

October 2018 2019 Surge Fellow Lydia Mercer has accepted the role of Director of Secondary Supports on the National Program Team at OneGoal.  In her new role, Lydia will learn from…

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October 2018 Paul Morgan

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalOctober 13, 2018

2018 Alumnus Paul Morgan has accepted the role of Executive Director at Ignition Community Glass, an organization that uses hands-on learning to chip away at the diversity gap in glass art.…

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September 2018 Adria Husband

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalSeptember 17, 2018

2015 Alumna Adria Husband has launched Shifting Hearts and Minds, an organization that believes that true transformational change in our educational system and our society at large will come through shifting the…

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September 2018 Willow Walker

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalSeptember 13, 2018

2018 Fellow Willow Walker has accepted the role of Director of Admission and Recruitment with the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund. In this new role. Willow develops the strategic plan for recruiting…

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August 2018 Sonya Mehta

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalAugust 20, 2018

August 2018 2018 Fellow Sonya Mehta has accepted the role of Director of Partnerships at The Teaching Well, an Oakland-based nonprofit consulting group that supports schools across California with teacher…

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August 2018 William Collins

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalAugust 20, 2018

2017 Fellow William Collins has been accepted to the 5th cohort of the Chicago Urban League IMPACT Leadership Development Program. Through IMPACT, the Chicago Urban League strives to move the needle toward…

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August 2018 LeShonne Segura

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalAugust 18, 2018

2015 Fellow LeShonne Segura has accepted the role of Manager of Program Investments for the Chicago Public Education Fund. In this role, LeShonne will manage a portfolio of programs and investments,…

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August 2018 Susan Tovar

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalAugust 16, 2018

2018 Fellow Susan Tovar has accepted the role of Senior Director of Teacher Support for OneGoal. In this role, Susan will lead OneGoal’s Year 1 team to meet its end-of-the-year…

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August 2018 Adrian DeLeon and Nick Freeman

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalAugust 15, 2018

  2015 Fellow Adrian DeLeon and 2019 Fellow Nick Freeman were selected as 2018 LEANLAB K-12 Fellows. LEANLAB accelerates the growth of transformational innovations that address achievement gaps and inequities that persist…

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August 2018 Tina Enagbare

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalAugust 14, 2018

2018 Fellow Osayuware (Tina) Enagbare has accepted the role of Vice President, Talent & Equity for Peer Health Exchange, Inc. In this role, Tina will guide people, culture, and how the…

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July 2018 Christine Diaz

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 20, 2018

2018 Fellow Christine Diaz is has accepted the role of Chief Education Officer for Acero Schools. In this role, Christine is an essential leader in Acero’s quest to achieve consistently excellent…

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July 2018 Adelric McCain

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJuly 19, 2018

2018 Fellow Adelric McCain is has accepted the role of National Director of Equity and Impact for the Network for College Success. In this role, Adelric organizes and implements the…

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June 2018 William J. Collins

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJune 20, 2018

2017 Fellow William J. Collins has accepted the position of Vice President of External Affairs at OneGoal Chicago. In this role, William’s mission is to ensure OneGoal-Chicago maintains its financial…

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June 2018 Dominique McKoy

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJune 19, 2018

2018 Fellow Dominique McKoy has accepted the position of Associate Director at the University of Chicago’s To&Through Project, a project that aims to use research, data, and resources to give every…

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June 2018 Iris Dominguez

Alumni Achievement, Award ReceivedJune 16, 2018

2018 Fellow Iris Dominguez was awarded as Administrator of the Year from the Chicago Public Schools Office of School Counseling and Post-secondary Advising. She was recognized for her exemplary contribution…

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June 2018 Janine Franklin

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJune 14, 2018

2018 Fellow Janine Franklin has accepted the position of Associate Director of Pipeline Programs at the University of Chicago. In this role, Janine will oversee initiatives that train and mentor…

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June 2018 William J. Collins, Ashlie Tyler and A.J. Watson

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJune 12, 2018

   2017 Surge Fellows William J. Collins and Ashlie Tyler and 2018 Surge Fellow A.J. Watson were named Agents of Change by Education Pioneers. Agents of Change are Education Pioneers alumni who…

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April 2018 Amanda Paz

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalApril 20, 2018

2018 Fellow Amanda Paz has accepted the role of Continuous Improvement Work Plan Coordinator at Chicago Public Schools. In this role, Amanda is responsible for the management of the Continuous Improvement…

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April 2018 Nicole Spicer

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalApril 20, 2018

2018 Fellow Nicole Spicer has accepted the role as Principal of Bronzeville Classical School, a new classical high school launched by Chicago Public Schools in the fall of 2018. Bronzeville Classical’s…

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April 2018 D. Nigel Green

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalApril 18, 2018

2017 Fellow D. Nigel Green has accepted the role as Diverse Leaders Mentor and Noble Fellow at Noble Network of Charter Schools. In this role, D. Nigel is responsible for supporting…

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February 2018 Halleemah Nash

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalFebruary 20, 2018

2017 Fellow Halleemah Nash has accepted as the role of Chief Partnerships Officer at The Academy Group, a new enterprise established to create a sustainable source of highly skilled, diverse, resilient…

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February 2018 Andrea Serrano

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalFebruary 20, 2018

2017 Fellow Andrea Serrano has accepted the role of Managing Director of Individual Giving at Teach For America, an organization committed to expanding opportunity for children by affecting profound systemic change.…

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Janurary 2018 Stacey Mitchell

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJanuary 20, 2018

2015 Fellow Stacey Mitchell has accepted the role of Director of People at the Obama Foundation, a working, living center for citizenship with the goal to develop the next generation…

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January 2018 Alejandro Espinoza Olazaba

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJanuary 15, 2018

January 2018 2017 Fellow Alejandro Espinoza Olazaba has become a 2018 Fellow of The Civic Leadership Academy, an interdisciplinary leadership development program for emerging and high-potential leaders in nonprofit organizations and…

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January 2018 Ángela Munguía

Alumni Achievement, ProfessionalJanuary 10, 2018

2018 Fellow Ángela Munguía has accepted the position of Chief Dream Director at The Future Project, a nonprofit organization that aims to unlock the limitless potential of every young person…

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