John (Jody) Kretzmann Research Associate Professor, Human Development and Social Policy Research Associate Professor, Learning Sciences, Learning Sciences Annenberg Hall Room 147 2120 Campus Drive Evanston, IL 60208-0001 Phone: (847) 491-8744

John Kretzmann (Jody) is co-founder and co-director of the Asset- Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute of the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University. The ABCD Institute works with community building leaders across North America as well as on five other continents to conduct research, produce materials and otherwise support community-based efforts to rediscover local capacities and to mobilize citizens’ resources to solve problems. The Institute continues to build on the stories and strategies for successful community building reported in his popular book “Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community’s Assets,” written with long-time colleague John McKnight.

A much-traveled speaker and trainer, Kretzmann brings more than four decades of community-based work and study to his current position. Before founding the ABCD Institute, he worked as a community organizer and community development leader in Chicago neighborhoods, and as a consultant to a wide range of neighborhood groups. He has worked to develop community-friendly policies in the city, and at the regional, state, national and international levels. In addition to his work at Northwestern, he has taught about community development and public policy with the Associated Colleges of the Midwest Urban Studies Program (which he co-founded), Valparaiso University, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and McCormack Seminary. He serves on a wide range of civic, community and foundation boards. His B.A. is from Princeton University (Magna Cum Laude); his Masters degree from the University of Virginia; and his Ph.D. (Sociology and Urban Affairs) from Northwestern University.

ABCD Institute

  Community development, asset building in communities.

SESP 351		Introduction to Faith and Service Tim Stevens, University Chaplain, and Jody Kretzmann, teaching This course will be an introduction to the importance of service within the central faith traditions in the United States. Built around presentations by experts in service within each tradition, students will learn the basic differences and similarities between the traditions. The emphasis will be on identifying the perspectives on service with the traditions and finding commonalities across traditions where they exist or have the potential to be built.
Teach Ed 304		Schooling & Communities The goal of this course is to prepare prospective teachers and others interested in community-based education initiatives to interact meaningfully with community organizations that engage young people. Teaching andlearning occurs throughout adolescents lives; often we can learn about effective teaching by looking outside of schools before we investigate pedagogy within classrooms. An on-site field experience,readings, and guest speakers will enrich this course as participants explore community organizations, structures for working with schools and teachers, and teaching in nontraditional settings. Action research methods - including observation/field notes, interviewing, and artifact analysis - as means to understanding how schools work and how theory and practice relate. Includes 40 hours of field experience. Students seeking certification must take the Illinois Basic Skills Test before the end of the quarter of enrollment in TEACH ED 304.
SESP 202		Community Development Historical and contemporary community building efforts, focusing on Chicago's neighborhoods.  Community development strategies: the settlement house, community organizing, and community economic development.
MS_ED 499		Independent Study Consent of MSEd program director required. Forms requesting independent studies or internships are available for download.