Erick Amick, who graduated from NIU in May 2023 with a Ph.D. in Health Sciences, has been named as a member of the 2024 Emerging Leaders class for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Erick Amick
“The Chicago Council on Global Affairs has been the foremost community for individuals who care about global affairs to engage with global leaders and experts,” said Amick, who is currently the executive director at Kiphart Center for Global Health and Social Development at the University of Chicago. “Being selected to participate in this prestigious program is both humbling and exciting.”
Professor Beverly Henry, Amick’s faculty advisor for the Ph.D. program, isn’t surprised by his success.
“Dr. Amick came to us with an interesting background and applied his experiences in public health, African studies and as a staff member at the American Academy of Pediatrics administering global health programs,” Henry said. “We are very proud that he was accepted for membership into the 2024 class of the Emerging Leaders program and are confident he will continue to lead the way for better health incorporating the perspectives of multiple stakeholders.”
Amick said the Emerging Leaders program is unique in that it extends beyond standard professional development opportunities.
“Leadership programs are crucial as they expose you to diverse perspectives from other leaders, including peers and mentors, enabling you to learn and grow in new ways,” Amick said. “These programs challenge you to become a better, more informed leader by providing opportunities for deep reflection and critical thinking through robust discussions and the exchange of ideas.”
Over the next year, Amick and the 20-member class will engage in a rigorous program to further their knowledge of U.S. foreign policy and global challenges and strengthen their leadership skills.
“In many ways, this program builds on what I learned at NIU,” Amick said. “The interprofessional nature of my Ph.D. program has prepared me to learn with and from dynamic global leaders working in diverse sectors such as health and development, government and diplomacy, education, the private sector and beyond.”
The 2024 class will participate in briefings with council experts and Emerging Leaders alumni to explore global security, global cities, economic inequality, food insecurity and other topical global issues defining U.S. engagement abroad. They will meet with policymakers in Washington, D.C., attend Council events, and train in policy analysis, collaborative problem-solving, and media skills.
“I am looking forward to the bimonthly sessions with subject matter experts and global practitioners, as well as becoming part of a network of leaders who represent the city and help advance Chicago as a preeminent global city,” Amick said. “I believe that my selection into this program provides an example of the diverse professional opportunities students in health sciences might explore. It underscores that NIU alumni are committed to making a difference in Chicago and the world.”
The Emerging Leaders program was established in 2008 and has graduated 277 participants to date. The application for the class of 2025 will open early in 2024. More information about the Emerging Leaders program is available at globalaffairs.org/EL.
Source: NIU Today CHHS News
