Norma Ramos was hired as Associate Director of Communications for the Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement (IPCE) when it was founded in the fall of 2008, and appointed as Director of Marketing and Communications in September 2010. As Director of Marketing and Communications, she is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of Institute communication in a manner consistent with an overall communications strategy, including the development of marketing material and content for print and web-based media.

She is also responsible for the management of internal and external partnerships with media and community partners and contributes to the program development and administration functions of the Institute, especially where those functions have implications for the communication related aspects of programs and activities. She has more than 10 years of marketing, media, and communications experience working in the education units at USA TODAY, Chicago Sun-Times, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Norma Ramos graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a BA in Journalism and a MS in Business Management from Cardinal Stritch University. Norma enjoys spending her free time with her family in Wisconsin, being outdoors, reading, and working as a youth mentor

Kathleen Stauffer, Assistant Dean for Administration in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA), has over 20 years of experience at UIC. She provides human resource and financial expertise for the Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement.

She began her UIC career while a graduate student in CUPPA in 1990. Upon completion of her Masters in Urban Planning and Public Affairs she worked in several departments in CUPPA, including the Center for Urban Economic Development, the Urban Transportation Center, and the Dean's Office.

After this, Kathleen moved to the West Side to work in the College of Pharmacy where she engaged with graduate students, researchers, and faculty by assisting with projects, grant development, human resources, and fiscal administration.

In 2005 she began working in Academic Affairs where she assisted the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs and the Dean of the Honors College on special projects, finance and human resources, and undergraduate student development.

Catalina was hired as a Graduate Assistant in December 2009 for the Urban Public Policy Fellowship program. She advised eight undergraduate fellows and assisted them with their research projects in preparation for the African American & Latino Dialogue Research Forum at UIC. Catalina transitioned from her role as a Graduate Assistant and is now the Program Coordinator for the Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement.

Catalina's educational background consists of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Master of Urban Planning and Policy degree, both from the University of Illinois at Chicago. During her spare time she volunteers as a mentor with Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy (LCA). LCA is a life skills program for at-risk youth who have dropped out of high school. The goal of the program is to assist them in attaining gainful employment or in attending college.

Ms. Nava coordinates the Urban Public Policy Fellowship (UPPF) program and Civic Engagement Days. If you would like more information about the UPPF program or Civic Engagement Days, please contact Catalina at cnava2@uic.edu or directly at 312.355.0154..

Katie James was hired as IPCE’s Digital Media and Communications Research Assistant in August 2011. Her responsibilities include 1) providing research and writing in support of research content produced by IPCE for print and web distribution, 2) providing research and writing in support of Institute-related communications, 3) managing IPCE’s social media presence on a variety of platforms, and 4) writing content and making regular updates to CivicSource, IPCE’s web portal. She also frequently edits communication pieces for IPCE staff.

Katie is currently working on her MA in English at the University of Illinois at Chicago and expects to graduate in May 2013. She graduated with a BA in English and minors in Writing and Communication from Saint Xavier University in Chicago in May 2011. Her educational background has provided her with extensive experience in the field of writing; she has served as a writing tutor in both her graduate and undergraduate institutions as well as Editor for SXU’s literary magazine Opus. 

Noel was hired as a Graduate Assistant for the Internet, Technology, and Communications position at the Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement (IPCE) in December 2011. His role in IPCE includes making regular updates to the IPCE website; constructing and maintaining databases for the Institute, which serves as the back end of a web-based interface; and providing general assistance to technology needs, such as managing software and troubleshooting laptops and small devices.

Noel is currently doing his Master of Science (MS) in Industrial Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago and intends to graduate in May 2013. He obtained his Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University in Coimbatore, India.