Staff and Visiting Scholars
With the creation of CURL, 樱花视频 greatly increased its commitment to university/community partnerships in the rebuilding of Chicago's neighborhoods. This partnership is further strengthened through its staff which reflects the capabilities and knowledge base of both the academic and community experiences.
View Past Scholars
Profile
David Van Zytveld
David (he/him) is the Director of the Center for Urban Research and Learning. He began his tenure at CURL when the Center opened its door in January 1996 and has held a variety of positions at CURL. His collaborative research areas have included early childhood education, housing, community economic development, youth development, and numerous topics related to program evaluation. He has had primary responsibility, especially in the last 10 years, for the day-to-day operations and project management of CURL. David has a BA in Sociology and History from Calvin College, a Master in Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and an MA in Sociology from 樱花视频. He and his family reside in Rogers Park.聽
He can be reached at dvanzyt@luc.edu and 773.508.8504.
Profile
Yasmeen Khayr
Yasmeen (she/her) is the Research Coordinator at CURL since 2019, and formerly a Graduate Fellow in 2018 and an Undergraduate Fellow in 2017. Her time at CURL has included research around gender-based violence and housing, capacity-building, and evaluations of social service programs and educational trainings.聽Yasmeen has B.A.'s in Sociology-Anthropology, History, and Spanish and an M.A. in Sociology, all earned from 樱花视频.
She can be reached at ykhayr@luc.edu and 773.508.8547.
Profile
Gina Spitz
Dr. Gina Spitz (she/her) is an Associate Research Professor at CURL as well as the Director of the Urban Studies Interdisciplinary Minor program with the College of Arts and Sciences, for which CURL hosts the undergraduate capstone courses. Dr. Spitz leads community-engaged research and evaluation on racial equity, gender justice, and public policy. Her recent projects include multi-year evaluations of the We Rise Together Initiative and the Englewood Women鈥檚 Initiative. Prior to joining CURL, she worked as a research analyst and director on initiatives related to housing, microfinance, and STEM education. She holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin鈥揗adison and a B.A. in International Development Studies from UC Berkeley.
She can be reached at gspitz@luc.edu and 773.508.8529.
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Profile
Amanda Ward
Amanda Ward (she/her) is an Assistant Research Professor in the Center for Urban Research and Learning and the聽Center for Criminal Justice at Loyola University. In her research, Amanda works closely with criminal justice agencies, community organizations and people impacted by criminal justice systems to identify and implement evidence-based, social justice-informed reforms to Illinois criminal justice systems. Her research and teaching utilize intersectional, feminist approaches to examining social problems with an eye towards collaboratively developing real-world solutions.聽 Dr. Ward received her Ph.D.in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
She can be reached at award1@luc.edu and 773.508.8532.
Profile
Brett Coleman
Brett Russell Coleman (he/him) is an Assistant Research Professor at CURL. Dr. Coleman鈥檚 past research and work at CURL focuses mainly on the intersections of public ideology, racial socialization, and youth development. Much of his work is informed by lived experience, including over two decades working in urban youth development spaces in Chicago. Dr. Coleman received his PhD in Community & Prevention Research from the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2016.
He can be reached at bcoleman4@luc.edu and 773.508.8549.
Profile
Sean Young
Sean Young (he/him) is an Assistant Research Professor at CURL. Sean鈥檚 career in higher education has been unified by a consistent commitment to community engagement, experiential education, and research that contributes to the thriving of urban communities. Sean鈥檚 most recent research has focused on the influences of community organizing and activism on the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining CURL, Sean was the Faculty Director of Urban Studies and the Wheaton in Chicago program at Wheaton College where he taught in the Sociology and Urban Studies department and directed the program鈥檚 community-based research initiative. Sean received a BS in Physics from Roberts Wesleyan University, a MA in Intercultural Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a MA and PhD in Sociology from 樱花视频.
He can be reached at syoung@luc.edu and 773.508.8533.
With the creation of CURL, 樱花视频 greatly increased its commitment to university/community partnerships in the rebuilding of Chicago's neighborhoods. This partnership is further strengthened through its staff which reflects the capabilities and knowledge base of both the academic and community experiences.
View Past Scholars
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