Our Staff

Rhonda Hardy

Extension Educator, Community Development

University of Illinois Extension
8751 Greenwood Avenue, Suites 112-122
Chicago, IL 60619
Phone: 773-768-7779
FAX: 773-768-4818
rihardy@illinois.edu

Rhonda Hardy's mission is to serve as a synergist; connecting people and places to create economic and social power. Rhonda is a seasoned professional with over 30 years experience working and volunteering in communities, the business industry and educational institutions. Rhonda provides training, curriculum development and technical assistance in community capacity building, organizational development economic development, strategic planning, and small business development.

Rhonda has a proven ability to lead the implementation of major initiatives that address the diverse opportunities and challenges in urban communities.

Rhonda is a consummate believer in the power of partnerships as demonstrated by her ongoing work with public, private and non-profit organizations; partnering with Education-to-Careers Program through the Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Housing Authority, Small Business Development Centers, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), the Business & Economic Revitalization Association and the 87th & Cottage Grove TIF Advisory Council.

Rhonda currently serves on the Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Advisory Commission, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Workforce Education Committee, 17th Senatorial District Economic Development Consortium and the Trend Setters Institute of Design. She has served on the Special Allocations Committee for United Way, and the City of Chicago Special Task Force for Organic Living.

Rhonda has developed several innovative curricula on leadership, facilitation skills, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, strategic planning and career development. She has recently conducted a series of leadership forums for the Chicago Chatham communities and spearheaded the TIF Business Survey for the areas local businesses. She is highly skilled in program development and has won several awards for projects such as the Chicago Housing Authority Senior Technology Initiative; Chicago Fresh: Entrepreneurship for Urban Agriculture; and All My Money: Financial Literacy for Limited Resource Audiences; and awarded the Ora Higgins Foundation Volunteer of the Year.

Rhonda earned her M.S. and B.S. degrees from Southern Illinois University School of Environmental Design and recently became certified in Sustainable Environmental Management from University of California Berkeley; has received 64 hours credit in economic development through the International Economic Development Council; and is certified in volunteer management through the Points of Light Foundation.

Program Offerings

Program Offerings

Local Government Information & education Network

Bi-Monthly workshops for local government officials and leaders. This education series addresses issues that are impacting counties, cities and communities in Illinois. Certified County Officials crdit is available through this program.

How to Start and Manage a Community Garden

A workshop series that guides communties through the process of creating a sustainable community garden. This workshop series will be presented at various site throughout Cook County.

Community & Economic Development Resources

Factsheets and References on the following topics via the website:

  • Community Leadership Development
  • Participatroy Community Planning
  • Organizational Development
  • Community and Economic Development

Workshops and Webinars

These workshops will be available via the internet or program requests:

  • Tools for Getting Community Projects Done
  • Strategic Planning and Community Assessments
  • Basic Economic Development: 101