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. He recommends that visiting students eat at the Medici on 57th—his favorite spot in Hyde Park—because of the diverse mix of people and the stellar milk shakes.

“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

Jenny spends most of her days talking with prospective students about Harris Public Policy and UChicago, addressing questions, helping with the application process, and recruiting the right-fit individuals who will go on to make a positive impact on the public policy space. Previously, she worked in graduate and international student recruitment at Benedictine University, where she earned both her BA and Master's degrees. In the summer, you can find Jenny enjoying the outdoor dining spots in Hyde Park, particularly at Medici on 57th.

“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

Senior Director, International 
Partnerships & 
Executive Education

Shilin focuses on developing programs and partnerships that help the Harris team better recruit diverse international students and young professionals to attend degree or non-degree programs. She enjoys meeting students from diverse backgrounds and supporting them from creating and application to navigating their future plans. Shilin has a bachelors degree from Fudan University in China and an MPP degree from Harris Public Policy.

“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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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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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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Samantha Ng

Associate Director of Recruitment and Outreach Management

Samantha Ng is Associate Director of Recruitment and Outlook management at University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. She oversees the international development, policies, and recruitment activities for both the Master of Arts in International Development and Policy and the Obama Foundation Scholars Program. Previously, she worked at DePaul University as an Admissions Officer for the College of Computing and Digital Media.

“I decided to work for Harris because of my passion for social justice and international students. I’m excited about the opportunity to recruit students who will change the world. And since Obama was the first president I ever voted for and also a “neighbor” of mine during my college days in Washington, D.C., I feel a personal connection to the Obama Foundation.”

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Sparkle Dalphinis

Associate Director of Student Recruitment

As Associate Director of Student Recruitment at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, Sparkle Dalphinis educates prospective students about the school’s offerings while assisting them through the application process. She is especially committed to supporting underserved populations and her own education and professional experience are ideal for finding students who fit the diverse and policy-driven environment of the Harris School of Public Policy. 

"One of the many reasons I look forward to recruiting and speaking with Harris students is that they are such socially conscientious individuals.  I’m also inspired by the way Harris enables students of different backgrounds, talents, and interests to study and work together. I know that their education here will provide them with a unique opportunity to learn from one another as well as from Harris’ excellent professors."

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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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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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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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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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Derek Kennedy

Assistant Director of Student Recruitment & Global Outreach

Derek Kennedy is an Assistant Director of Student Recruitment at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. In this role, he serves as the primary point of contact for prospective students and works towards recruiting new cohorts of students dedicated towards the impact-driven mission of Harris Public Policy.

Previously, Derek worked at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington as an Admission Officer. Derek holds a BA cum laude from Willamette University in Politics and Philosophy as well as a Master of Arts from the University of Chicago MA Program in the Social Sciences.

"Higher education and the public sphere are two of my greatest personal values, so working with prospective students interested in attending graduate school where the two are interwoven together is incredibly fulfilling. Harris is a place where students combine a passion for public betterment with data-driven analysis for maximal impact, and I couldn't imagine a better way to help future leaders make a difference in the world."

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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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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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Kyle Weiner

Assistant Director of Marketing

Kyle brings specialties in message strategy, brand identity, digital storytelling, and integrated marketing plan creation, execution, and supervision. He is currently responsible for the marketing strategy and execution for Student Recruitment & Global Outreach. Before joining Harris, Kyle worked on the agency side of marketing and communications.

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Sam Schmidt

Marketing Writer and Project Coordinator

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 recently 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 Language & Literature. During her graduate and undergraduate career, Sam worked as a Writing Fellow and research assistant for Governors State University –UI Cancer Center Disparity Education (GUIDE) project, where she saw the real-world impact writing can make. 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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