About Us

UIC’s Community Engagement is dedicated to catalyzing community and economic growth in Auburn Gresham and North Lawndale, serving as a vital partner and steward for change. Our mission is to drive institutional transformation and community development through reciprocal collaborations with Chicago’s South and West Sides. We envision a future where active listening fosters meaningful partnerships, bringing together resources to uplift and invest in the diverse needs of our communities.

Our work is guided by three core values: Community, where we center the lives and voices of local residents; Enrollment & Retention, where we promote increased Black student enrollment and retention at UIC; and Sustainability, where we build long-term, generative partnerships based on community interests.

Our programs focus on activating UIC and community partnerships to respond to evolving community concerns and interests. Utilizing pathways, the OCC creates support systems to access opportunities for both traditional and post-traditional learners. Lastly, participatory research brings community voices to the forefront by emphasizing participation and action by members of communities affected by that research; it focuses on collaboration and reflection.