Rachel S.

Steele
Curriculum Vitae
2737 W Leland Ave, 2W ∙ Chicago, IL ∙ 60625 ∙ 618.304.2128 ∙ rsteele@brandeis.edu

EDUCATION

PhD Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University ABD
Concentration: Assets and Inequality
Dissertation: Policy Preferences of Working-Class Whites: Race, Place, and Class

MA Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University 2017

AM School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago 2011

MA Department of Religious Studies, Concordia University Chicago 2009

Thesis: Divine Immutability through a Lutheran Lens

BA Department of Political Science, Concordia University Chicago 2006

Senior thesis: U.S. Impact on U.N. Intervention in the Rwandan Genocide
Summa cum laude

TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Instructor of Record

Transitional Year Program, Brandeis University

Inequality and U.S. Social Policy Autumn 2016

Department of Social Work and Sociology, Gordon College

Social Policy and Institutions Spring 2016

TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Teaching Assistant

Heller School for Social Policy, Brandeis University

Applied Design and Analysis Spring 2018
Applied Linear Regression Autumn 2017
Applied Econometrics Spring 2017
Ethics and Development Autumn 2016
Applied Linear Regression Autumn 2016

Department of Theology, Concordia University Chicago

Advanced Seminar: Christology Spring 2007
Freshman Seminar Autumn 2006
Freshman Seminar Autumn 2005

1
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Graduate Research Assistant, Teaching Certificate Program, Brandeis University 2017-2018

Supervisor: Dr. Deborah Garnick

Graduate Research Assistant, Institute for Assets and Inequality, Brandeis University 2017-2018
Supervisor: Dr. Janet Boguslaw

Research Assistant, Post-Secondary Transitions Team, University of Chicago 2013-2015

Supervisor: Dr. Melissa Roderick

Research Assistant, Political Psychology Research Lab, University of Chicago, 2013

Supervisor: Dr. Kimberly Rios

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Graduate Assistant, Center for Civic Engagement, Northwestern University 2018-2019

Analyzed data; created flyers, event programs, letterhead, and other graphic design work for
programs and events; created and maintained database of applicants for Engage Chicago; improved
organization’s systems for tracking and matching students to internships; updated database of voter
registration and absentee voting rules for all 50 states

Project Manager/Data Strategist, University of Chicago, Network for College Success 2011-2015
Led weekly senior leadership team meetings and monthly cross-school professional learning
collaboratives, provided coaching to high school administration and staff, drove progress of 3-year
school improvement grants, analyzed data and presented research, implemented data-driven inquiry
cycles in schools, led strategic planning processes

Outreach and Grant Manager, Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Malaria Initiative 2010-2011
Developed and implemented programs to build, educate, and engage constituency in a multi-million
dollar campaign to end malaria in Africa; served as relationship manager to UN Foundation;
supervised Outreach Coordinator; monitored budget and approved expenditures; tracked progress
toward campaign benchmarks; composed organizational position statements on malaria-related issues

Coordinator, Lutheran World Relief, President’s Council 2009-2011

Helped identify, cultivate, and recruit key leaders; maintained relationships and tracked action items
between meetings; project managed development of president’s strategic vision

Social Work Intern, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago Lights 2009-2011

Facilitated group therapy for individuals experiencing homelessness, conducted community needs
assessment and developed asset map of Cabrini Green neighborhood, wrote white papers to support
the strategic planning process of the board, managed volunteers during weekly community meal

Project Coordinator, Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Malaria Initiative 2007-2010

Facilitated the creation and submission of multi-million dollar grant proposal, conducted three
feasibility studies, wrote reports and grant applications
2
Assistant, Office of Student Leadership and Involvement, Concordia University 2005-2007
Founded Campus Activities Board, monitored budget, negotiated contracts with vendors, oversaw
execution all major student events, created formal process for recognizing new student groups

PUBLICATIONS

Steele, R. & Jeffers, M. (in progress). “The Future of Appalachian Identity in an Age of
Polarization,” Journal of Appalachian Studies.

Steele, R. (Spring 2019). “Bridging Divides Without Losing Ground,” Journal of Social Work and
Christianity. Vol. 46: 1.

Santos, J., Steele, R., & Watkins-Liu, Callie. (2017). The Consciousness Raising Classroom: Lessons
in Inequality and Identity. Chapter in Risk-Taking in Higher Education: The Importance of
Negotiating Intellectual Challenge in the College Classroom. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman &
Littlefield

PRESENTATIONS/CONFERENCES

Jeffers, M. & Steele, R. (August 2019). “Appalachian Identity in an Age of Political Polarization,”
Rural Sociological Society Conference, Richmond, VA

Jeffers, M. & Steele, R. (February 2018). “Narratives of Poverty and Identity Within Central
Appalachia,” Eastern Sociological Conference, Baltimore, MD

Jeffers, M. & Steele, R. (August 2017). “Narratives from the Field: Rural, White America Speaks,”
Society for the Study of Social Problems Conference, Montreal, Canada

Steele, R. (October 2016). “Strange Bedfellows: Religion, Race, and Politics,” Society for the
Scientific Study of Religion Conference, Atlanta, GA

Duncan, S, Flint, N., & Steele, R. (October 2014). “The Transition to High School: Using Research
to Improve Student Outcomes,” Illinois State Board of Education School Improvement
Grant Annual Conference, Lisle, IL

Healy, K., Holsapple, M., Nagoaka, J. & Steele, R. (October 2014). “College Match and Post-
Secondary Success,” Illinois Network of Charter Schools Annual Conference, Chicago, IL

Keith, Q. & Steele R. (August 2014). “How to Analyze Data and Build a Meaningful Data Rhythm
and Arc,” Network for College Success Annual Conference, Chicago, IL

Steele, R. (March 2009). “The Lutheran Malaria Initiative as a Medical Mission,” Lutherans in
Medical Missions Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO
3
Duey, W. & Steele R. (October 2008). “Incorporating a Service-Learning Pedagogy into Classroom
Curriculum,” Association of Lutheran College Faculties Annual Conference, River Forest, IL

Steele, R. & Williams-Krasnove, M. (November 2005). “The Correlation Between Campus

Activities and Retention: A Case Study,” Association of Campus Activities Administrators
Regional Conference, Chicago, IL

HONORS/AWARDS

Wyatt Jones and James Schulz Dissertation Award 2019

Majorie S. Trotter Doctoral Fellowship 2018-2019
Heller Alumni Award Conference Grant 2016, 2019
Dorothy H. Sullivan Scholarship 2009-2011
Presidential Honors Scholarship 2003-2007
Student Servant-Leadership Award and Scholarship 2006
Lincoln Academy of IL Student Laureate Award 2006
Honors Scholar 2003-2006
IL Representative to Inaugural Model US House of Representatives 2005
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Scholarship 2003-2004
Thrivent Financial Scholarship 2003-2004
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Gimber Scholarship 2003-2004

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS

Appalachian Studies Association

Rural Sociological Society
Society for the Study of Social Problems

VOLUNTEER/SERVICE

NU Votes, Northwestern University, Center for Civic Engagement 2018

Mentor, Public Interest Program, Northwestern University 2011-2014
Grant Review Board, Wheat Ridge Ministries 2007-2010
Co-Founder and Coordinator, Vista Tutoring Program 2008-2009