Harris Voices: Dion McGill, CLA'22, on Turning Lows into Opportunities and Asking, "Why Not Me?"

As a part of Harris Public Policy's and the Center for Effective Government’s celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the Civic Leadership Academy (CLA), we asked previous fellows how CLA has impacted their work as civic leaders. These are their opinions and perspectives, informed by their own life experiences and worldviews (and do not necessarily reflect the views of Harris).

When my dear friend and CLA 2021 cohort member, Ydalmi Noriega, suggested to me that I should apply for the 2022 cohort, I scoffed at the idea. “Sounds too academic for my tastes,” I said as an initial reaction. Over a few conversations, I decided to reluctantly apply. I then reluctantly interviewed, and when I received a letter of acceptance and congratulations, I shrugged. At that moment, I was at a very low point in my professional career. I was very unhappy with where I was, and the work that I was doing, and had no idea what a next step for me would look like. Ydalmi assured me that maybe this would spark some fresh thought, and perhaps new opportunities. 

I’ll give you one guess at my disposition in our first session. I must admit that I became intrigued once William Howell gave us our introduction and overview of what the Civic Leadership Academy experience would entail. I remember thinking, “Oh... this is why UChicago has the reputation it has. It has people like this here.” William Howell could sound brilliant talking about nothing, but when you get him latched onto an idea that he finds particularly fascinating, you are in for a good time. I wasn’t yet convinced that this was a place for me, or that I in any way shape or form fit in, but I was intrigued, and so we were off on our CLA journey. 

Looking back on it, I consider myself amazingly fortunate and lucky to have been not only a part of CLA, but a part of the 2022 cohort, which was full of some of the most thoughtful, caring, talented and inspiring people I have had the pleasure to meet in this life. Our conversations about leadership, and politics, and what does a better Chicago government look like pushed my mind in so many directions, and I value every moment that we spent in those spaces, having those discussions, followed by fellowship and equally amazing conversations about family, children, parenting, and the struggles that “civic leaders” often endure, behind closed doors, and out of the public eye. 

I can say for certain that I never would have ran for public office if not for my experience in the Civic Leadership Academy. I pulled so much from CLA, including the confidence to say “why not me?” and to feel that I was fully capable of not only winning an election, but being the kind of Police District Councilor that I would want to see. I bring the lessons of fierce analysis, evaluation, and negotiation that I learned in CLA to every table that I sit at. My CLA counterparts, both from the 2022 cohort and beyond, are still people that I turn to when I’m not sure what is the right course of action, or when I need additional perspectives on an issue. Two years removed from my experience in the Civic Leadership Academy, and I don’t sit any more comfortably with the title “civic leader” now than I did then. However, I have the full certainty that I am a more capable civic leader, working exceptionally hard for my city, now due to my magical experience with the CLA 2022 cohort.