2025 Urban Forum – The Power of Community Engagement: Building Bridges for Shared Impact
On April 8th, 2025 the Urban Forum was held on UIC's campus. The diverse panels discussed how the need for collaboration between anchor institutions and communities has never been more crucial, especially in an era marked by complex social, economic, and environmental challenges. Discussions revolved around how effective community engagement must evolve beyond traditional outreach and reflect reciprocal partnerships and co-created solutions seeking sustainable impacts.
The UIC Urban Forum has a history of deliberating important questions facing today’s cities. Look below to view highlights and pictures from the forum, where leaders from the city’s planning, policy, nonprofit, and arts communities shared bold visions for Chicago’s future.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Joe Hoereth - Director, Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement, University of Illinois Chicago
Marie Lynn Miranda - Chancellor, University of Illinois Chicago
Remembering David Perry
Stacey Swearingen White - Dean, College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs
Panel 1 Discussion: Reflecting on the Commitment to Build Great Cities
Teresa Córdova - Director, Great Cities Institute; Professor, Urban Planning and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago
Philip Nyden - Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Loyola University Chicago; Founding Director, CURL
Wim Wiewel - Leader in Higher Education and Urban Development
Keynote Address
Juan González - Senior Research Fellow, Great Cities Institute
Panel 2 Discussion: The City is Not Our Laboratory: The Promise of Knowledge Co-production
Pablo Alvarado - Co-executive Director, National Day Laborer Organizing Network
Nik Theodore Director - Center for Urban Economic Development; Professor, Urban Planning and Policy, University of Illinois - Chicago
Alonzo Waheed - Program Director, Equity and Transformation
Introductory Remarks - Lightning Talks
Keith Lewis - Senior Director of Community Collaboration, University of Illinois Chicago
Lightning Talk Presentations
Kate Albrecht - Assistant Professor, Public Policy, Management, and Analytics, University of Illinois Chicago
Melissa Chrusfield - Director of Communication & Engagement at PCC Community Wellness Center
Kate Eakin - Managing Director, McKinley Park Development Council
Oscar Sanchez - Co-Executive Director, Southeast Environmental Task Force
Khelan Todd - Chief Impact and Innovation Officer, North Lawndale Employment Network
Tony Woods - Founding Executive Director, Public Equity
Follow this link to learn more and view photos from the event!
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About the UIC Urban Forum
As a major research university in the heart of one of the world’s greatest cities, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is truly a global institution. As such, UIC has taken a lead role in convening scholars, public intellectuals, policymakers and elected officials to discuss, analyze and propose pragmatic and innovative solutions that will enhance the lives of city-dwellers around the globe.
The UIC Forum has evolved over the years. Its roots date back to 1995, when the first Forum was convened under the direction of UIC’s Great Cities Institute. In 2005, and for the following five years, UIC partnered with the City of Chicago and the Daley Family to host what was then called the UIC Richard J. Daley Urban Forum. Now, under the direction of the UIC College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA), the UIC Urban Forum will continue the tradition of hosting a national event designed to advance the dialogue about the future of urban communities.
