Ranjan Daniels

Senior Associate Dean of Student Recruitment and Global Outreach

Ranjan is responsible for student recruitment and admissions, financial aid, executive education, new program development, and international partnerships. Ranjan has twenty years of experience building relationships and products, opening new markets, and driving innovation at the University of Chicago, Kaplan, Berkshire Hathaway, the Tribune Company, and the City of Chicago.

“We have a global student body who are united by a passion to make a difference in their communities and countries—from the South Side of Chicago to New York City to Delhi to Mexico City. They all share a common sense of curiosity, desire to make an impact, and drive to take on the big questions and challenges. Hearing their individual stories and what motivates them to make a difference is inspiring.”

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Jenny Erickson

Senior Director of Enrollment 
Management &
Marketing Strategy

She spends most of her days working on market strategy and research, sales enablement, lead generation, and creating the best possible the student experience during the admissions process. Previously, she worked in graduate and international student recruitment at Benedictine University, where she earned both her BA and Master's degrees.

“Whenever I’m talking with students about joining Harris, I take the opportunity to learn about their public policy interests, issues within their communities, and passions. As someone who is a political science graduate and cares deeply about policy, it’s special to be in a role where I get to learn about things I’m passionate and enthusiastic about from people who care to make a difference.”

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Devon Reber Drehmer

Senior Director of Student 
Recruitment 
and Operations

Devon Reber Drehmer is the  Director of Student Recruitment and Operations University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. In this role, Devon leads outreach to prospective students for Harris Public Policy’s degree programs.

Devon has considerable experience working with graduate students committed to social impact. She spent nearly four years as the Director of Social Work Field Education at Wheelock College, where she was responsible for 150 students community-based internships and community outreach building. 

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Shilin Liu

Executive Director of Partnerships and Credential Programs

Shilin focuses on developing programs and partnerships that amplify the Harris scholar impact and serve the learning needs from diverse global learners. She firmly believes that learning can be done at anytime in any format as long as you have the right teacher and support, and that’s what motivates her and the team to continuously design and deliver high-quality learning experiences online and in-person.

“I love contributing to our vibrant community and helping more students (especially international students) to explore Harris and Chicago. I especially love the small, family feel of Harris and the ways in which people support each other and learn and grow with each other—from students to faculty to staff.”

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Nicole Beck

Director of Recruitment and Outreach Management

Nicole is responsible for connecting with prospective students and supporting them throughout the admissions process.

She has held roles in student recruitment, admissions and registration operations, and academic advising and student services as well as in communication and advisory board management. She began her career in graduate recruitment and admissions at Northwestern University before moving to the University of Chicago where she has served as the Director of Enrollment Management for University of Chicago Professional Education as well as the Associate Dean for Admissions and Recruitment at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering.

Nicole holds an MA in English Literature from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a bachelor of arts in English from Millikin University.

“My career has been guided by a belief in and commitment to the transformative power of education. Here at Harris, our students learn to create data-informed solutions focused on improving the world around them. It is inspiring witness that transformation first hand and to be part of a community so focused on making a positive impact."

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Jessica Gagle

Director of Student Recruitment for the Evening Master's Program

Jessica is the Director of Student Recruitment for the Evening Master's Program. She enjoys assisting prospective students as they navigate the admissions and application process. She is passionate about matching students with programs that will enable them to achieve their personal and professional goals and being an active partner through each individual’s educational journey.

She has over ten years of experience in admissions and student services, most recently at the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul University. She completed a BA in history at Ohio University and an M.Ed. in Higher Education at Loyola University Chicago.

“I am excited to work with such a bright, engaged group of students. It is invigorating to discuss their future goals and the various ways in which they hope to positively impact their industry, organization, and society. Now is the time for smart leaders driven by data and science, and this is an area where Harris students and faculty excel. I am humbled and honored to be working in such a dynamic environment.”

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Theodore Barnes

Associate Director of Student Recruitment

Theodore enthusiastically joined Harris after an impactful career leading the Admissions Office at Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice.

A current part-time PhD student in the Loyola University of Chicago School of Education Higher Education Program, Theodore is a recognized higher education leader and educator with more than 14 years of experience in student services, recruitment, and academic affairs. Theodore's expertise includes student recruitment strategy and execution; curricular programming development and delivery; event planning; Title IX funding; and grant and scholarship management.

“Harris stands as a catalyst for people seeking to make a social impact through scientific methods in their communities. - faculty and staff working cohesively to ensure students feel supported toward their meaning of success while preparing them to perform at the highest level of their careers. -And knowing that I play a small part in such a big picture makes all our hard work more meaningful.”

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Blake Edwards

Associate Director of Marketing and Communications

Blake develops and implements cohesive marketing and communications plans designed to drive student enrollment. He collaborates with his colleagues in Enrollment Management, Marketing, and Student Recruitment to deliver consistent voice, tone, and messaging across multiple platforms. Prior to joining Harris, Blake served as Project Manager and Marketing and Advertising Coordinator for Governors State University. Before GSU, Blake taught English and literature at community colleges throughout the Chicaogland area.Blake earned a dual bachelor’s degree (English and Creative Writing) from University of California, Riverside and an MFA in Creative Writing (fiction concentration) from Brown University.

"I enjoy working at Harris because I am a strong believer in evidence-based solutions, and I thrive in a collaborative environment where those solutions are often realized."

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Rebecca Hou

Assistant Director of Student Recruitment & Global Outreach

Rebecca Hou is the Assistant Director of Student Recruitment & Global Outreach and her primary goal is to ensure a positive and personalized prospective student experience unique to Harris. She serves as the initial point of contact for prospective students, organizes the execution of recruitment events, and oversees collection of application and enrollment documentation.

She has over seven years of experience in program coordination and student services. Prior to joining Harris, Rebecca worked at Illinois Tech as a Senior Enrollment Advisor for the Office of Graduate Admissions.

“It excites me everyday knowing that the work I’m doing provides opportunities for people who will grow and make a lasting impact on the world. Here at Harris, students are constantly encouraged to listen, share, research, and reflect. I hope everyone can come to embrace the top-notch education, feel the passion and motivations that our students have, and join them in their respectful and intellectual discussions with renowned faculty within a community that promotes active learning, open minds, diversity, and inclusion.”

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Andie Ingram Eccles

Assistant Director of Credential Programs

Andie Ingram Eccles first joined the recruitment team of the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy in April 2018 as an assistant helping recruit the inaugural cohort of Obama Foundation Scholars. In her current position she’ll be focusing on assisting international students, including hosting recruitment events in international markets, cultivating international partnerships, and developing new and existing non-degree and summer programs. 

“Harris School of Public Policy is an intersection point where passionate students and dedicated faculty collaborate on ideas, research, and innovations in many fields.  My work at Harris offers me the unique opportunity to support an institution where these extraordinary alliances not only enrich the lives of individuals, but in doing so, have a positive impact on the future of our world.”

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Jay Landau

Assistant Director of Data Analytics

Jay Landau is the Assistant Director of Analytics in Student Recruitment and Global Outreach, University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Jay’s work is focused on identifying and tracking Key Performance Indicators across SRGO activities, data quality assurance, data analysis, visualization, and predictive modeling, as well as providing direct recruitment outreach support to prospective Harris School students. He is passionate about responsibly advancing the field of data science to make an impact in the education, nonprofit, and public sectors.      

"As someone with experience in the NGO and non-profit sector I have seen firsthand how important it is to have committed and rigorous public policy practitioners. It’s a real privilege for me to be able to contribute to the Harris mission everyday and get to know truly impactful people and their impactful work."

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Elaina Mack

Associate Director of Recruitment Operations and Marketing

Her career in higher education is focused on student recruitment and admissions, first working with international students in Loyola's ESL program, then a study abroad recruiter for Loyola's Global Centers in China, Italy, and Vietnam.  For the past three years, she worked with graduate students at DePaul University's Kellstadt Graduate School of Business as a recruiter and advisor responsible for corporate MBA cohorts and part-time MBA students. In this role, she oversaw SLATE operations for the KGSB team. She's passionate about recruitment and enrollment operations and is excited about connecting students to the programs where they can make the most impact. 

She is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago with a B.A in Religious Studies, and an M.Ed. in Higher Education. 

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Karen McCleary

Associate Director of Student Recruitment

In her role as Associate Director of Student Recruitment, Karen connects with prospective students to show them all of the amazing opportunities available at Harris. Following the principles students learn at Harris, she loves using data-informed methods to find best-fit students for each program.

Prior to her time at Harris, Karen worked in the undergraduate admissions offices at the California Institute of Technology and Barnard College. Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from Carleton College and a Master of Education in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

“I find it so invigorating to interact with students and colleagues who are so passionate about the most pressing public policy issues of our time. No matter their area of interest, our students are going to change the world, and it’s an honor to be a part of their journey.”

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Sakshi Parihar

Assistant Director of Programs, International Partnerships & Executive Education

Sakshi is Assistant Director of Programs, International Partnerships & Executive Education working with the Executive Director, University of Chicago Center in Delhi and the Senior Director of International Partnerships & Executive Education in Chicago. She focusses on supporting global programming and cultivating international policy partnerships. She also leads outreach efforts for degree and non-degree students from South Asia, Europe, Oceania & Canada.

Sakshi graduated with an MA in Public Policy and is a Harris alumna. Before coming to Harris, she was a central banker with domain expertise in international trade & investment and has also worked in tech consulting.

"I believe that we can all together make a positive social impact. Harris is your chance to take the first step with passionate and vocal policy professionals. As an international student, I was once in your shoes and would like to help you make this journey a memorable one."

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Sam Schmidt

Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications

Sam writes and edits recruitment marketing communications including blog posts, student profiles, emails, event descriptions, and website updates. One of her main goals as a writer is to bring out the student voice in university communications. She also completed the Writing Persuasive Public Policy Credential Program at Harris.

Prior to joining Harris, Sam worked as a copywriter in both Advancement and Marketing at Governors State University (GSU), where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in English. She is glad to continue making an difference through writing at Harris. 

"My favorite part of my job is interviewing students for profiles. Hearing about the work they are doing to enhance policy on a global scale gives me so much hope."

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Mauricio Villacres

Assistant Director of Credential Programs

Mauricio manages the non-degree-seeking programs and oversees the programs' life-cycle of marketing and recruitment strategy, enrollment and matriculation, day-to-day operations, and program evaluation.
Mauricio holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Purdue University NW in Indiana. He previously worked with the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, where he was the Programs and Strategic Partnerships Manager. In that role, he oversaw all internships and programs, which led to more opportunities for Hispanic and other students of color in the professional development space. He also made sure that Hispanic issues were highlighted at the Federal level.

“I'm most excited about the ability to help and see the progress and growth of each student that goes through the Credential programs, and observe how they are able to utilize those skills in the work-force, academia, or really whatever they put their minds to—because as we’ve seen with Harris students, the sky really is the limit”

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Chelsey (Bocheng) Zhu

Program Coordinator of Student Recruitment & Global Outreach, University of Chicago Center in Beijing

Chelsey (Bocheng) Zhu is the Student Recruitment & Global Outreach Coordinator and based at the University of Chicago Center in Beijing. Chelsey focuses on supporting the recruitment activities for applicants from East Asia, helping manage the institutional partnerships in the region as well as supporting other global programming effort.

Before joining Harris, Chelsey spent two years with Teach For China in rural China serving as a teaching fellow for elementary school students. Prior to that, Chelsey worked as a Recruiter for an airline company. Chelsey holds a bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management from Renmin University of China. She is passionate about education and child welfare development.

“I have seen the importance of evidence-based public policies through my two-year real-world experience working in an economically disadvantaged area. Therefore, I’m more than happy to be part of a community developing data-driven public policy leaders. I enjoy helping students navigate the application process, seek their own paths to doing good, and become leaders who change the world.”

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Madison Zaccardelli

Madison is the Assistant Director of Marketing

Madison is the Assistant Director of Marketing. She works closely with her colleagues to align on a distinct and consistent voice and tone across marketing efforts for Student Recruitment and Global Outreach team. She works to nurture leads and deliver marketing materials to prospective students. Prior to joining Harris, Madison worked as the Marketing Coordinator for the Chicago-based stationery store, Paper Source. Madison graduated from DePaul University in 2017, with a B.S. in Digital Marketing.

"It is easy to market a product you believe in and I, wholeheartedly, believe in an education from Harris School of Public Policy. The passion at Harris is contagious- from faculty to staff, to prospective and current students. I look forward to seeing each cohort grow and evolve into policymakers and proponents for change!"

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