Gonzales chosen to lead CU Schools Foundation

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CHAMPAIGN — Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation board chair Daniel Thies remembers feeling a pit in his stomach when Executive Director Kelly Hill told him she planned to retire and move back to Colorado.

However, Thies’ outlook changed when CUSF board Vice Chair Michelle Gonzales told him she had her eye on the opening.

“When Michelle said she was interested after we posted the position, it was just a relief, knowing that we’d have somebody, a steady hand to take over,” Thies said.

CUSF will announce today that Gonzales will be its next executive director.

The former Champaign Unit 4 teacher told The News-Gazette she’s “very excited” about her new role.

“I’d really like to expand and deepen the awareness of what the foundation does, to rally the community around our schools and show our schools that we’re committed to supporting them,” she said. “It’s a huge responsibility.”

She also hopes to highlight the “incredible work” being done by local teachers.

Hill, who plans to move in August, said Gonzales’ first day in the position will be July 25. The former director finished up her tenure at the end of June and is helping Gonzales with the transition.

“Michelle’s going to be amazing in this job,” Hill said. “She has deep roots in the community. She’s been a teacher, which I think is an invaluable asset in terms of perspective for this job.”

Foundation officials said Gonzales was selected from a field of nearly 25 applicants and was one of two finalists for the job.

Gonzales is currently the special assistant for Strategic Initiatives in Public Engagement at University of Illinois. Her career has also included serving as legislative assistant to former state Sen. Scott Bennett and working as a third grade teacher in Unit 4, teaching four years at Booker T. Washington Elementary and eight years at South Side Elementary.

“I know the needs,” she said. “I have been in the classroom. I have been a huge advocate for this community in so many ways, not just through my career but also as a volunteer. So I feel like it’s somewhat of a full-circle moment for me to be able to do this.”

Gonzales’ education includes a bachelor of arts from the UI in Spanish and a bachelor’s of education in early childhood education from Illinois State University.

Her community service has included being a member of the Urbana Rotary Club, serving on the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois board, co-chairing Krannert Center’s Advancement Council and being a mentor through C-U 1:1 Mentoring.

Gonzales was on the CUSF board for four years prior to being hired as executive director. Thies said board member Misha Shah is replacing Gonzales as vice chair, though the board still needs to fill her vacant seat.

“(Gonzales has) got a lot of vision, I think, because she has served in a lot of parts of the community,” he said. “So having been a teacher previously, and then also serving at a high level of state government, she has a really good perspective on what it takes to bring the community together in support of education.”