Dr. Phyllis Hayes

Dr. Phyllis P. Hayes is the Founder of the UIC CHANCE Program housed in the College of Education, and is also responsible for securing initial funding for UIC’s Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement. Phyllis has been employed at UIC since 2004 and prides herself with having individuals such as Dr. Frances G. Carroll (Former University of Illinois Trustee), and Former President of the Illinois Senate, Emil Jones, Jr. as the reason for her existence on the UIC Campus.

An educator in the Chicagoland area since the age of twenty-one, she began her teaching career with Chicago Public Schools in 1978. Dr. Hayes’ research is focused on understanding why Chicago Public School teachers with more than 10-15 years of classroom experience do not infuse technology into their classrooms. As a supporter of educational technology, Phyllis is especially concerned about how the “lack-of” access to technology affects personal and professional outcomes for students of color; especially if they do not have access to technology in elementary and high school.

A native Chicagoan raised by her loving parents (Harold & Lee Ellen Hayes) who instilled in her the motto of “live each day to its fullest and help somebody along the way.” Within her personal setting she is active in a myriad of community, civic, professional, and governmental initiatives. The niece of Former Congressman Charles A. Hayes, Phyllis has volunteered on a number of community and national-level endeavors. She has served as National Outreach Coordinator, Campaign to Elect Barack Obama for President; Chair, Congressman Bobby L. Rush’s 1st Congressional District Education Task Force; Chair, Women for Senator Donne E. Trotter and State Representative Elgie Sims Committees; Former Education Scholarship Chair, Illinois Legislative Black Caucus; Chair, Women for Toi Hutchinson Committee; Member, Council on Women and Girls Task Force, The White House; Consultant, The White House Office of Public Engagement and she is a member of the Faith Based Funding Committee, Greater Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church.

On the UIC campus Dr. Hayes serves on the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Women, The UIC College of Education – Health and Wellness Committee, UIC Women’s Symposium Conference, and the UIC TechTech (Technology) Committee.

Also, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she spends many community-service hours on scholarly projects designed for high school and college-level students. Her personal goal is to provide an avenue for students and parents to achieve their educational and economic endeavors while preparing themselves for a “fruitful” life.