Alumna Alexandra Sims to Deliver Loeschner Lecture
School of Education and Social Policy alumna Alexandra Sims (BS10), recently recognized as one of Chicago’s most influential Black leaders, will be speaking on her experiences in Chicago politics and public affairs as part of Northwestern University’s Nancy and Ray Loeschner Leadership Series.
The community conversation and reception will be at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12 in Annenberg Hall (Room G02) on Northwestern’s Evanston campus. The talk will be co-moderated by School of Education and Social Policy Dean David Figlio and undergraduate Ryley Boddeker-O’Connor, a third-year social policy major who is pursuing her civic engagement certificate.
Sims’s public affairs firm, APS & Associates, has managed a range of high-profile clients including the Obama Foundation, Gov. JB Pritzker, the Chicago Aldermen Black Caucus, Illinois State's Attorney Kim Foxx, and State Representative and Northwestern University alumnus Emanuel “Chris” Welch.
Prior to launching her firm in 2016, and after serving as state director from Missouri for President Obama’s 2012 campaign, Sims started a voter registration nonprofit in Chicago called Every Vote Counts. She directed the registration of over 120,000 voters in four months - the largest voter registration campaign in the country that year.
Recognizing the need for more Black involvement in her field, Sims co-organized Black Bench Chicago. The Bench develops Black community leaders and those serving in the fields of civic engagement, civil service, elected office, and strategic leadership.
Sims was a guest speaker at SESP’s 2021 graduation this past June, joined by Tarana Burke, the founder of the ‘me too’ Movement, and Cecilia Rouse, chair of the Council of Economic Advisers for the Biden Administration. In her address to SESP’s graduating class, Sims challenged students to think about what they can do next to make themselves happy, while also making an impact.
“These things aren’t always naturally aligned, and if this year has taught me anything it was a reminder to take care of myself in order to continue taking care of others,” Sims said.
Loeschner Lectures Throughout the Years
Sims is the tenth speaker in the School of Education and Social Policy’s Loeschner Leadership series, which began in 2013 and presents visionary leaders in education and other fields.
Previous events included Sara Goldrick-Rab, professor of sociology and medicine at Temple University; alumnus Steven Romick (BS85), portfolio manager at First Pacific Advisors; Anthony Jack, author and assistant professor of education at Harvard University; Mary Daly, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco; Eve Ewing, author and sociologist of education at the University of Chicago; alumnus Chuck Friedman (BS88), corporate vice president of Microsoft Edge; Mischa Fisher, economist and data scientist; Eva Moskowitz, founder and CEO of Success Academy Charter Schools; and Wendy Kopp, founder of Teach for America.
The lecture was established with a gift from SESP alumnus Ray Loeschner (MA57) of Grand Rapids, Michigan, the former president of Olivet University and a pioneer in higher education. Loeschner also received his PhD from Northwestern in 1962 and served as an assistant football and track coach.