Veronica Arreola

Veronica I. Arreola is a nationally recognized expert on women in higher education and a women’s rights advocate. During her 25 years serving the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), she has been charged with working with campus leadership to craft strategies to ensure the continuing success of Latinx students, staff, and faculty, directed and built an office to strengthen UIC's capacity to be the best campus it can be to nurture Latinx scientists-in-training, and directed and expanded the women in science and engineering program. She also served as inaugural executive director of the Alliance of HIspanic Serving Research Universities, a collaborative of all 21 research-intensive Hispanic-Serving universities to address systemic challenges in the underrepresentation of Latinx people earning PhDs and becoming faculty members. Under her leadership WISE was recognized with a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring and the Best Women in Engineering Award from the Women in Engineering Pro-Active Network. Arreola earned her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at UIC. During that time she participated in the UIC Biology Colloquium as a student, student leader, independent research coordinator, and student coordinator. Arreola also held a NSF-supported internship at the Field Museum of Natural History in the Fishes Division.

Arreola is a member of the inaugural cohort of Chicago district councilors. She will serve the 24th police district to work to improve policing and public safety through collaborative conversations with the community and police district leaders.

In 2014 she launched #365FeministSelfie as a feminist response to negative media and stereotypes around selfies. Arreola believes selfies can be empowering for women who do not like to have their picture taken or see the beauty others see in them. After a few hundred selfies, you begin to love that nose, dimple and imperfection...or at least hate it a little less. Arreola was invited to address the 2015 Blogher conference about the power of selfies.

Her first solo book is "J is for Justice," a children's board book about social justice. Arreola's writing has been featured in Bitch magazine, Ms. Magazine, USA Today, New York Times, Chicago Sun-Times and RH Reality Check. She is a frequent speaker on all things feminist, especially education equity, reproductive justice, social media and parenting. She was a member of the National Board of Bitch Media, the Chicago Abortion Fund, National Organization for Women, Women Employed and the Chicago Foundation for Women. Her honors include being named as a UIC Woman of the Year by the Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Women, received a 2010 Chicago Foundation for Women Impact Award, and is a graduate of the Illinois Women's Institute for Leadership Training Academy. A die-hard Chicago Cubs fan, Arreola lives on the north side of Chicago with her daughter.

Follow her on twitter and instagram @veronicaeye.

Current Affiliations:

Director of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives, University of Illinois at ChicagoDistrict Councilor, 24th Police District, City of Chicago

Past Affiliations:

Executive Director, Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research UniversitiesAssistant Director, Center for Research on Women and Gender, University of Illinois at ChicagoDirector, Latin@s Gaining Access to Networks for Advancement in Science, , University of Illinois at ChicagoDirector, Women in Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at ChicagoNational Board, Bitch MediaBlogger, Planned Parenthood Chicago AreaCo-Board Chair, Chicago Abortion Fund