The Co-Op Program

Skills:

knowledge translation | team collaboration | design | project management

Tools:

Adobe Creative Suite | Canva Pro | Adobe Premier Pro

Description:

 As part of the novel UIC Certificate in Co-Operative Career Experience, the deliverables all work towards the establishment of a first-ever 100%-integrated post-secondary academic program for students with intellectual disabilities. Various strategies for content creation, social media, and translation of academic materials furthered a broader goal of place marketing. This involved the creation of one-page briefs, university promotional material, a branded program identity, informative videos, apparel, and social media posts, among others.

The project utilized innovative thinking on education technology that integrated Disability Studies principles into a framework of knowledge translation that is emancipatory, participatory, and benefits the disability community. The program is funded by a $2.5 million grant by U.S. Department of Education and housed in the UIC Institute on Disability and Human Development.

Responsibilities:

• Designed and implemented an interim program identity for use while the program was formalized by the University of Illinois System.
• Created materials in collaboration with program faculty and administration to use with students, families, and other academic units.
• Identified strategic audiences and partners and produced video content introducing the program to the broader Chicagoland community.
• Designed program apparel that was reviewed and accepted by program students.
• Established innovative processes on knowledge translation and information dissemination within education technology and disability studies communities.
• Managed social media accounts involving the production and curation of approved content.