We are excited to share news of a big next chapter in the life of MAPSCorps.  

MAPSCorps is joining Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) to become part of the ongoing work of Nichole Pinkard, PhD, Alice Hamilton Professor of Learning Sciences. Nia Abdullah, EdD will direct this new, exciting iteration with the MAPSCorps team at her side.  

As you know, MAPSCorps was born in 2008 from a large-scale community and University of Chicago collaboration on Chicago's South Side led by Stacy Lindau, MD, MAPP, recently named the Catharine Lindsay Dobson Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Medicine. MAPSCorps began as a summer asset mapping program for high school students who used a custom-built app to “map” existing assets (businesses and organizations) in their communities. These data were analyzed and disseminated by the students to advance everyone’s knowledge about community assets and resource gaps. Academic and research organizations, city of Chicago agencies, as well as private sector entities also use these publicly available data. 

In 2020, we were thrilled to have Abdullah join as MAPSCorps’ Executive Director. Since that time, MAPSCorps has initiated an after-school program, which helped increase the number of students we serve. We strengthened MAPSCorps’ community advocacy component through an infusion of argumentation instruction and practice. MAPSCorps youth participate in data science immersion programs to enhance their data credentials and to provide realistic, project-based exposure to STEM majors and professions. Additionally, youth regularly visit research labs and university STEM environments to hear presentations by historically underrepresented STEM professionals.

MAPSCorps is ready to grow again by combining with Dr. Pinkard’s team! The new MAPSCorps will keep its South Side headquarters while amplifying its scope and long-term impact. We also plan to expand our list of community-based organizations and school partners, locally and nationally. A newly revised online version of rigorous and engaging curricula and training programs is also underway. 

We are proud of all that MAPSCorps has been and eagerly anticipate demonstrating all that MAPSCorps can yet become. We are immensely grateful for your ongoing support and look forward to our continued collaboration with you.