FLI Fridays: Celebrating the UChicago Community

May 1, 2020

  • Sadia Sindhu, Executive Director of the Center for Effective Government at the Harris School of Public Policy

    Are you interested in learning more about the many different people who make up our unique campus community? The University of Chicago’s FLI Network (First-generation, Lower-Income, Immigrant Network) is highlighting the stories and successes of its members through a FLI Fridays profile series. Spotlights are posted to the FLI Network website each Friday highlighting members of the UChicago community who have identified as first-generation students, lower-income students, or immigrants. The spotlights aim to celebrate the accomplishments and experiences of FLI Network participants and also raise awareness of the program.

    Today’s FLI Fridays spotlight features Sadia Sindhu, Executive Director of the Center for Effective Government at the Harris School of Public Policy. In her profile, Sindhu highlights the importance of investing in people and creating environments that allow individuals to place their identities at the forefront of their personal and professional lives. She cites her current role at Harris as a great example.

    “At the Center for Effective Government, we investigate issues of political dysfunction and think about institutional reform,” Sindhu shared. “But to facilitate any form of meaningful institutional change, we need to be inclusive. Inclusivity is fundamental to functional governance. It is not possible to develop effective solutions in a silo. My identity enables me to be more empathetic and makes me a better Executive Director. It is critical for me to show up as who I am.”

    Launched in 2018, the FLI Network is a joint program operated by the Center for College Student Success (CCSS) and Student Support Services (SSS). Students, faculty, and staff are invited to join the network, which currently has 380 members. The program also facilitates FLI Champions, which matches students with faculty and staff for a self-directed, coaching-style mentorship commitment. (Register for an upcoming FLI Champions webinar on May 14.)

    “The goal of the FLI Network is to increase people’s connection to each other and bring together people who share similar experiences and stories,” said Ireri Rivas, Director of SSS.  

    Check out a new FLI Fridays profile online each week, and register to join the network here. If you’d like to nominate someone to be featured in FLI Fridays (including self-nominations), please email flinetwork@uchicago.edu. You can also follow SSS on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news and updates. And, check out CCSS’s Facebook feed for College-specific spotlights.