Evangeline Semark
By Jamie Sokolik, Conversations: Winter 2016
As director of communications and engagement at Evanston Township High School (ETHS) in Illinois, Evangeline Semark (CMN MA ’14) proudly touts the equity focus of this learning community. Ranked in the top 1–2 percent of all U.S. high schools, ETHS educates more than 3,300 youth from every neighborhood in Evanston, Ill., representing many racial and ethnic backgrounds and socio-economic statuses. The high rate of student success at ETHS is attributable, in part, to the conversations between students and staff about racial equity and building an environment that affirms all perspectives and identities.
This approach suits Semark perfectly. “I lead the public relations and communication efforts to help create a more culturally responsive learning community for our students,” Semark says. “My goal is to provide our students and families with the information they need to be inspired to learn.”
“Whether it’s to invite families to learn more about the school, facilitate workshops to discuss issues of racial equity or teach freshmen about their ‘online tattoos’ via media literacy programming, I position myself as an educator,” she says. “I continuously create opportunities to empower others.”
Lead Communications Specialist, Program Coordinator, Corporate Engagement at Northwestern University
“I was encouraged to stretch my learning, to question what was known and to imagine possibilities of resistance and change.”
After working in the field for several years, Semark decided to pursue a graduate degree at DePaul in organizational and multicultural communication.
“My graduate studies gave me the critical framework to interrogate ideological systems of power such as racism, classism, ableism and heterosexism,” Semark says. “I was encouraged to stretch my learning, to question what was known and to imagine possibilities of resistance and change.”
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