District 214's Brooks to represent Illinois on national council
Erin Brooks, the executive director of the District 214 Education Foundation, has been selected to represent Illinois on the National School Foundations Association's Industry Leadership Council.
Individuals selected for the Industry Leadership Council are considered thought leaders in the industry and understand the value of our collective national efforts in raising the knowledge base, profile and impact of the education foundation industry.
In her time at High School District 214, Brooks, who also is the assistant director of Community Engagement and Outreach, has built a foundation that supports innovation, student success and lifelong learning districtwide.
She also helped launch the district's Alumni Advisory Council to engage alumni toward future success. In the last year, the foundation empowered an estimated $200,000 in early college credits for students, brought first-generation college students and their parents to college campuses, funded more than $30,000 in teacher-led classroom and outreach initiatives, and created nearly $150,000 in new scholarship opportunities to bolster success.
A new Redefining Ready! scholarship was specifically launched in line with the district's mission to ensure all students are college, career and life ready, and alumni outreach efforts have included events at the former Forest View and Arlington high schools, as well as a centennial celebration in 2014 that engaged thousands of District 214 community members.
Prior to her current role, Brooks served as media relations manager at Harper College in Palatine for five years. During that time, she executed the college's community relations efforts and served as interim associate director for annual giving and special events.
One of her many successes included garnering increased coverage of students and programs by successfully forging new relationships with local, regional and national media.
Brooks also worked at the Daily Herald for nearly 10 years as a legal affairs reporter, education reporter and assistant weekend editor. During this time, she covered primary, secondary, and post secondary issues with a focus on District 214. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from University of Michigan.
Across the country, education foundations and their leaders are creating life-changing opportunities for students. The NSFA Industry Leadership Council brings some of those strongest voices together and collectively raises the industry's effectiveness and impact.
The mission of the District 214 Education Foundation is to support innovation, student success and lifelong learning beyond the district's operating budget, in a time when one in four students live in poverty.
District 214 delivers innovative and relevant curriculum to more than 12,000 students annually in Chicago's Northwest suburbs.
To learn more about the District 214 Education Foundation, visit www.d214.org/foundation.
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