Celia G. Chávez, Partnership Director Midwest, provides leadership and support to CAC programs and special projects in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and St. Louis, MO. With her team, Celia works to ensure that programmatic goals are met and that high-quality services are delivered to students.

In her role, Celia also develops and maintains a network of high-impact partners from various sectors including; higher education leaders, investors, and government officials that aid in the overall maintenance, sustainability, and success of CAC university programs in the Midwest.

Prior to joining CAC, Celia worked in various higher education settings. She has led equity and inclusion initiatives in academic support services within the City Colleges of Chicago system and provided program development, strategic planning, and direct student services in various higher education recruitment and retention programs (First-Year Academic Success – DePaul University, Proyecto Pa’Lante – Northeastern Illinois University, Students On Academic Probation – Waubonsee Community College).

Throughout her career, the scope of Celia’s work as an education advocate has been centered on increasing educational access and support to first-generation, low-income, and marginalized students in the Midwest region.