Our Partnership

Situated within the School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) at Northwestern University, OCEP’s mission stands on three pillars: scholarship, infrastructure and capacity building, and community partnerships. OCEP works to bridge the research, practice, and service missions of SESP and Northwestern University to create initiatives and partnerships that positively impact our home communities of Evanston and Chicago, but that can be shared and scaled far beyond.

The Baxter Center Chicago is located at Lindblom in Chicago’s South Side Englewood neighborhood. Their student body is approximately 97% minority and approximately 65% low-income. Lindblom offers a demanding college preparatory curriculum where all core courses are honors and Advanced Placement. Their mission is to empower students to become compassionate leaders who understand, engage and impact the world. Lindblom nurtures each student’s contributions to local and global communities by promoting personal responsibility, service, and intellectual and social growth.

Lindblom’s outstanding teachers serve as leaders within Chicago Public Schools and have helped revolutionize learning in the district by introducing groundbreaking strategies such as a balanced calendar, colloquium days, proficiency based learning, and impactful corporate partnerships to enhance student learning. The Center highlights these successes by sharing them through innovative professional learning for the entire district.

Round Lake is a public four-year high school in a northern-suburb of Chicago with a student body of around 2,100 students, comprising approximately 86% minority and 54% low-income students. Round Lake is known for being a leader with a cutting-edge approach to teaching, scheduling, and preparing students for a wide range of career paths. These innovations make them an excellent partner for a center focused on showcasing their successes and delivering programming designed in conjunction with area teachers to meet the specific needs of the communities in which Baxter facilities are located.

The Baxter Center North launched in 2018 and focuses on providing access to STEM and manufacturing careers for students from RLHS and the region, catalyzing partnerships and programs that promote equity in STEM education and career pathways. So far, Baxter Center North has supported the RLHS community through connecting students and educators to professional and personal development resources at Northwestern and beyond, including field trips, events, and workshops. Ultimately, the work of the Baxter Center North aims to be a model of successful school programs and industry partnerships that support equity in STEM education.

We are advancing tomorrow’s healthcare breakthroughs and delivery. We take a hands-on approach to develop the next generation of scientists, engineers and health care professionals by supporting teachers and STEM education, serving as mentors in our communities, and creating diverse learning opportunities in the sciences.