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Staff

Leroy Kennedy is the associate vice president for community development at IIT. He has held that position since March 1994 and served as assistant vice president and director of community relations since 1989. Kennedy serves as the primary liaison for community planning and development initiatives. He is responsible for identifying and developing programmatic issues and opportunities that foster the university’s interests and those interests of adjacent neighborhoods, institutions and agencies.

From March 1999 to September 1999, he served as Director of New Communities Initiative for the Woodland Preservation Investment Council (WPIC).   During his time with WPIC, he developed a number of new programs, including a local employment training and resource center in partnership with community organizations and government.

Kennedy came to IIT from the Metropolitan Planning Council where he was the director of a five-year demonstration project intended to improve family-oriented high-rise public housing. During his tenure at IIT, Mr. Kennedy served on the Urban Land Institute's Advisory Panel for Ohio State University/Columbus, Ohio; to assist the university and the city in developing action plans to enhance university-community relationships.

Kennedy has worked extensively with community-based organizations in Chicago and the Midwest to develop and implement community organizing and coalition building activities. He has also worked with government agencies in an effort to foster affordable housing, community development and economic empowerment in urban areas. Kennedy served as city-wide coordinator of the Campaign for Affordable Housing; assistant regional director for the Central Regional Office of the National Urban League and in various programmatic and administrative positions with local cbo's such as The Woodlawn Organization, The Chicago Urban League, and the Housing Agenda. He has also served as a consultant for the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities, Citizens Information Service and the Auburn Gresham Community Action Coalition.

Kennedy holds a B.A. in psychology from Southern Illinois University and pursued graduate studies in Public Administration at IIT.

Contact: kennedy@iit.edu

As the Community Development Outreach Coordinator, her primary responsibilities are to assist the Associate Vice President Community Development with a broad range of functions including outreach efforts to community organizations, schools and residents.

Additionally, oversee the daily administrative operation of the Community Development Department and coordinate the flow of information among support staff and departments, coordinate several community events and programs and serve as the liaison between the Institute and officials and various public groups and organizations. Assist in promoting programs developed and maintained through the Community Development Department involved in volunteering, mentoring and tutoring within community based organizations and schools.

Contact :  patterson@iit.edu