Norma E. Ramos, MSM

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 Associate Director in July 2019. As Associate Director, she is responsible for leading strategic direction, initiatives and management related to the Institute’s core areas of research, education and public discourse.

She manages the Institute's research projects, educational and leadership programs, public discourse and dialogue initiatives. She is also responsible for building and maintaining civic, community and educational partnerships, media partners, and local and state government relations related to the program development and administration functions of the Institute.

She is a trained facilitator, manages training programs and opportunities utilizing various dialogue methods to enhance deliberative democracy and civic and public engagement. And additionally, is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of the Institute’s communications strategy and digital platforms.

Ms. Ramos is also an Adjunct Faculty member on campus. She is an Instructor for the Dialogue 120 Seminar, a course for UIC first-year students, designed to familiarize students with introductory topics in diversity, dialogic communication, and social justice and an On-line Instructor for the School of Continuing Studies for the Certificate Nonprofit Management Program.

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 and 10 years working in civic engagement, public policy and higher education.

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 is also currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership at UIUC. In her free time, Norma enjoys spending time with family in Wisconsin, being outdoors, reading, and working as a youth mentor.