Contact Us

The University of Chicago
Collegiate Scholars Program
Woodlawn Social Services Center
950 East 61st Street
Chicago, IL 60637

Tel. 773.834.2774 
Fax: 773.834.3764
Email: uccsp@uchicago.edu

University of Chicago Collegiate Scholars Program Staff

KIM RANSOM | DIRECTOR
ransom@uchicago.edu

Kim Ransom is the founding Director of the University of Chicago Collegiate Scholars Program. She is a Chicago native and Chicago Public School graduate. Ms. Ransom earned her B.S. in Business Management from Bradley University. Following graduation, Kim worked for the Chicago Tribune while volunteering for a teen program at the Elliott Donnelley Chicago Youth Center (EDYC). After volunteering at the youth center, she was offered a position as Outreach Coordinator for the MacArthur Foundation funded program, The Grand Boulevard Arts Initiative. Ms. Ransom provided over 700 youth with free, professional arts programming. Shortly thereafter, she became the Program Coordinator for the EDYC Teen Program (EDYCTP). For five years, she worked to equip low income, urban teens with leadership skills by fostering employment opportunities, college scholarships, arts programming, college tours, fundraising, counseling and a variety of social and educational activities. During this time, Ms. Ransom also brokered numerous services and opportunities for EDYCTP by developing strong community partnerships with various community centers, schools, housing projects, social organizations and churches in the Chicago area.

In 1999, Ms. Ransom was hired to work with the Office of Community Arts Partnerships at Columbia College Chicago. In this capacity, she served as Audience Development Coordinator for DanceAfrica Chicago and The Center for Black Music Research’s New Black Music Repertoire Ensemble. In 2000, she was promoted to the Academic Advisor for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) serving over 700 students at Dyett, Beethoven and ACT Charter Schools. In 2001, Ms. Ransom became the Director of GEARUP and worked here for two years before accepting the position of Director of the Collegiate Scholars Program at University of Chicago (CSP). As founding director of CSP, Ms. Ransom has built a highly successful college access program whose mission is to prepare talented Chicago Public Schools high school students for admission and success at highly selective colleges and universities.

In addition to her career accomplishments, Ms. Ransom is a published author and holds a MA in English Literature from DePaul University, Chicago. She’s performed at many venues in the Chicago area as well as in other states.

ABEL OCHOA | ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
jbaldwin1@uchicago.edu

Abel Ochoa was born and raised in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.  Abel graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish.  Abel is currently finalizing his Master of Arts in Public Policy degree at Northwestern University.  Abel knows firsthand how difficult it can be to prepare for college.  Growing up, Abel was unaware of the skills and preparation needed to succeed in life.  With the help of community centers and positive role models he was able to take initiative and work hard in the classroom to make college a reachable goal.  The challenges Abel faced as a high school student and his most recent professional experience have fueled his desire to be an agent of change in the field of education.  Abel is currently finalizing his thesis project which researches gentrification in Chicago neighborhoods and its impact on youth development.   For the past few years Abel has been working as an Assistant Director of Admission at Northwestern University.  Abel has experience working with high school students, parents, faculty, undergraduate students and knowledge in admission and financial aid.  Abel has a true passion and desire to see that all students, regardless of ability, realize their dream of attaining higher education. In his new journey, Abel looks forward to continuing the success of the Collegiate Scholars Program.

JAMIE BALDWIN | OFFICE MANAGER
jbaldwin1@uchicago.edu

Jamie Baldwin is responsible for overseeing the budget, payments, gifts and grant administration and staffing. Jamie is a native of Southern California, where she received her bachelor's degree in History and Psychology and a Master's in Counseling with a specialization in Higher Education. She previously worked as Scholarship Coordinator and Recruiter at the University of South Florida in Tampa. In addition, Ms. Baldwin also served as the Academic Advisor at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. She is thrilled to be on the University of Chicago campus although getting used to the Chicago winter took some time. When not working, she enjoys traveling and photography.

JACQUELINE GAINES | MANAGER OF COLLEGE ADVISING
jgaines@uchicago.edu

Jacqueline Gaines provides oversight and management of the college preparation component of UCCSP. Prior to joining CSP, Ms. Gaines served as the Manager of Matriculation and Onboarding for Teach For America —Chicago, where she was responsible for ensuring that 250 incoming corps members were certified and prepared to teach in schools in the low-income communities throughout Chicago and Northwest Indiana.  Ms. Gaines was also a 2006 Teach For America-Chicago corps member. Through the program, she taught Reading and English at Bogan High School and served as the National Honor Society adviser. Ms. Gaines holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio.

MARY YOUNG | MANAGER OF STUDENT ENRICHMENT
mayoung@uchicago.edu

Mary Young has provided oversight and management or programming since 2005 as the Collegiate Scholars Program Coordinator. In this capacity, she assists with the identification of potential faculty for the summer program, as well as arts/cultural events and community service projects during the academic year. In addition, Ms. Young coordinates special events throughout the year. Prior to working with CSP, Ms. Young held numerous positions with organizations and institutions in the Chicago-land area including Columbia College, Urban Gateways: Center for Arts in Education, The School of the Art Institute, Jane Addams Hull House Association, and Chicago Youth Centers. Ms Young also served on grant panels for the Illinois Arts Council and the Department of Cultural Affairs. Mary’s educational background consists of The School of The Art Institute of Chicago and George Washington University. She is a product of Parkman High School (currently Paul Robeson High School), a Chicago Public School.