SSA, Harris School receive McCormick Tribune grant

The University has received a $10 million grant from the McCormick Tribune Foundation to establish the Program for Urban and Community Leadership. The grant is a joint award to the Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies and the School of Social Service Administration.

“The difficult tasks faced by public servants can challenge fine students and encourage them to take up careers that address these tough urban problems. This wonderful grant will help the University attract and train future leaders in our community,” said Robert Michael, Dean and the Eliakim Hastings Moore Distinguished Service Professor of the Harris School.

The initiative continues a history of collaboration between the two graduate schools. The award will establish a professorship in each school dedicated to the study of urban issues; support students who will become urban leaders; and fund activities linking the University with the city, including internships, workshops and policy briefings for city officials.

“The challenges and opportunities for community development in Chicago are tremendous. This funding will allow us to develop new research, support talented students and engage community development in innovative ways,” said Edward Lawlor, Dean and Associate Professor of the School of Social Service Administration.

The McCormick Tribune Foundation is one of the nation’s largest charitable organizations, with combined assets of $1.8 billion and annual giving in excess of $100 million. The $10 million grant to the Harris School and SSA continues the foundation’s long-standing support for various University programs that are focused on solutions to urban problems and improvement in early childhood education.