Chapin Hall

Stephanie Cleary is a Policy Analyst at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago. Cleary leads project management and communication and advises partners in policy and systems reform efforts for the Cumberland County: A Model Approach for Change in Child Welfare project.

Previously, Cleary lead project planning and communication for Chapin Hall’s Title IV-E Waiver Implementation Support project in partnership with Casey Family Program. Her work on these and other projects included project management, report writing, graphic design, project logistics, and technical communication to promote system changes and improve the lives of children and families. Prior to Chapin Hall, Cleary was the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) Division of Fire and Aviation’s Science, Fuels, and Technology Program Assistant and Communication Student Conservation Association (SCA) Intern. As Program Assistant, she coordinated team projects and led and managed the team’s communications, information technology, and external stakeholder projects. She initiated the NPS Fire Lookout Tower and Panoramic Lookout Photographs project; implemented the use of videoconferencing throughout the division; and established a digital platform for the team to telework and work remotely, a first for the division and agency. As Communication SCA Intern, she developed communication materials, strategized public communications on fires, and served as a public affairs fire liaison. Additionally, Cleary worked in early education as a teacher and learning instructor for preschool through third grade.

Cleary is currently working toward a PhD in Developmental Psychology at Northern Illinois University, and holds a Master of Arts in Communication from Boise State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Case Western Reserve University. She is a Student Conservation Association and AmeriCorps alumna.