Civic advocate Constance Wright named emerging Black leader by the Chicago Urban League

Constance Wright, Weinberg College’s Assistant Dean of Academic Standing, was recently named as a fellow of the Chicago Urban League, a group dedicated to enhancing the lives of the City’s citizens. Established in 1916, Chicago Urban League aimed to address the needs of Black people migrating from the rural South to northern cities at the turn of the 20th century. Today, the organization continues to be an advocate for educational economic, and social equality for Black people by directly addressing the issues stemming from racial inequality.

Wright was among 44 chosen as emerging leaders for the 2023 cohort of its IMPACT Leadership Development Program, an intensive, nine-month program that helps Black professionals advance in their careers while building a more diverse pipeline of leaders across Chicago.

“It is an incredible honor to be named as an emerging Black leader in the City of Chicago by the Chicago Urban League and invited to participate in the IMPACT Leadership Development Program,” said Wright. “This is an amazing opportunity to grow as a professional to ensure that I can be an effective change agent in higher education.”

In the program, fellows are connected with other like-minded professionals and explore the nuances of business ethics, negotiations, decision-making, and interpersonal dynamics.

“With an eight-year track record of bringing in diverse and accomplished individuals as fellows to the program, IMPACT continues to show the need for equitable leadership development opportunities and for equity-focused leaders,” said Karen Freeman-Wilson, President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League.

Wright has made a significant impact as a civil leader in the broader community and in her work at Northwestern University. She has worked with Minority Legal Education Resources since 2007 and joined Northwestern as the Assistant Dean of Academic Standing in 2014.

“Constance Wright richly deserves this recognition. In her role, she has been transformative in how both Weinberg College and the University effectively support first-generation and low-income students, and students with minoritized identities. Among her peers at Northwestern, she is considered a leader in these efforts, and I am thrilled to see her get recognition beyond the University,” said Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Mary Finn.

Wright works with stakeholders within Weinberg College and across the Northwestern University community to create policies, practices, and build partnerships that result in more equitable outcomes and experiences for students. She is also working with the Minority Association of Pre-Med Students and the Feinberg School of Medicine to increase the matriculation rates of underrepresented students in medicine.

“I have worked my entire career to increase opportunities and create equitable outcomes for underrepresented minority, first-generation, and lower-income students in collegiate and professional schools. I am excited to grow as a professional to further this goal. I am also incredibly grateful to Vice President Robin Means Coleman, Dean Adrian Randolph, and Associate Dean Mary Finn for their support of my work at the University and participation in this program.”

Learn more: “The Chicago Urban League Announces Class of 2023 Fellows for its IMPACT Leadership Development Program.”