Director of Postsecondary Initiatives

Rhonda is the Director of Postsecondary Initiatives at the Steans Family Foundation. Rhonda has devoted her professional career to closing opportunity gaps for Chicago youth, often those who are the first in their family to enroll in college or who demonstrate significant financial need. She brings fifteen years of college and career access leadership to her role at the Foundation. She is also a private College Counseling Consultant, former School Director for the Schuler Scholar Program, Upward Bound Director, and spent ten years working for the College and Career Office at Chicago Public Schools where she managed multiple district-wide programs. Ms. Bell holds a B.A. in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studied early childhood education in graduate school, and is the proud mother of two children. She enjoys art, French culture, film, and cupcakes.