APRIL COLETTE
Gurnee,IL
Summary
Multifaceted urban-environmental geographer dedicated to engaging communities on how social, cultural, and historic factors can influence their adaptation to changes in the environment. Dynamic researcher with over 10 years of expertise in examining how people and governments respond to climate-related disasters, specifically floods, and passionate about identifying the root causes of spatial and environmental injustices. Experienced project manager able to handle complex issues, meet strict deadlines and adjust to changing conditions. Works effectively and collaborates with individuals, teams and across disciplines.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Doctoral Researcher
University Of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
08.2009 - 12.2015
- Designed and executed primary research project that contributes a more nuanced understanding of causes of climate-related vulnerability, how citizens and government officials perceive and frame environmental risk, and what solutions emerge from those framings
- Wrote research papers, reports, reviews, and summaries regarding 1) causes of environmental change, 2) causes of social/equity problems related to the changing environment, and 3) development and effects of policies on society and the environment
- Conducted and analyzed over 100 semi-structured interviews and developed a contextual map and framework for framing risk
- Organized and presented at workshops, symposia and conferences to increase knowledge of risk and vulnerability against the backdrop of climate change
Lecturer
University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
01.2015 - 06.2015
- Designed syllabi and lesson plans, gave lectures and led discussions for Cities of the World (GEOG 204), Enviro Policy (GEOG 466) and Climate and Social Vulnerability (GEOG 496) classes
- Collaborated with faculty and staff to create meaningful learning experiences
- Mentored and advised students to explore career pathways and amplify knowledge, skills and strengths in social sciences
- Used variety of learning modalities including PowerPoint and support materials to facilitate learning process and accentuate presentations
- Assessed students' progress via quizzes, tests, and projects and provided feedback to enhance learning
Project Consultant
PADECO International Development Consulting Company
05.2006 - 04.2009
- Developed and managed a $5M dollar portfolio of applied research projects and technical studies in the Infrastructure Development Division
- Maintained high performing team of international consultants and served as subject matter expert on 5 key donor-funded projects:
- Cities and Climate Change: Sharpening the Tools of Diagnosis and Dialogue, World Bank, Tokyo, Japan: developed institutional framework on how adaptation efforts can be improved in land use and infrastructure (2008-9)
- Study on the National Strategic Plan for Ecotourism Development in the Dominican Republic, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dominican Republic: served as Community Development Specialist to identify constraints to community participation in ecotourism in 10 cities across in the DR and developed a Community Participation Model for Ecotourism Development, successfully implemented in 3 pilot projects (2007, 9)
- The Evolving Role of World Bank Urban Shelter Projects: Addressing Land Market and Economy-Wide Constraints, World Bank, India, Pakistan and Vietnam: conducted review of the World Bank’s urban shelter lending over 30 years in Lahore, Mumbai and Da Nang and provided guidelines to increase effectiveness (2007)
- China Metropolitan Management Program: Institutional Arrangements to Improve Infrastructure Coordination in Tianjin’s Binhai New Area, World Bank, Tianjin, China: developed institutional framework to improve coordination of investment planning, financing, facility siting and development across the 8 jurisdictional boundaries in Binhai New Area (2006, 7)
- Study on Urban Public Transport in Siem Reap, Japan Transport Cooperation Association, Siem Reap, Cambodia: analyzed urbanization trends, tourism and paratransit, provided input on institutional policy to protect the historical, cultural and environmental integrity of Siem Reap’s resources in preparation for urban public transport
Project Administrator
International Business Initiatives
10.2004 - 04.2006
- Assisted in business development activities resulting in $600K of new donor-funded projects in first 3 months
- Coordinated research, prepared work plans, and managed operations for the USAID Ukraine Agricultural and Rural Development Policy Project which resulted in a book
- Developed proposal, managed international team of consultants and scheduled the successful scoping mission for $2M USAID Governance and Economic Management Support Project in Liberia
- Participated in project budget measures, tracking progress and making necessary adjustments to meet project goals
- Resolved conflicts and disputes between contractors and other stakeholders
Education
Ph.D. - Geography
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL2015
Master of Science - Geography and Environment
London School of Economics And Political Science
London, United Kingdom2004
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology
Butler University
Indianapolis2003
Skills
- Project management
- Community development
- Urban studies and marginalization
- Climate adaptation and mitigation
- Vulnerability, risk, resilience
- Qualitative and spatial research and analysis
- Conflict resolution
- Presentation and public speaking
- Project Cycle Management
Awards
2014 Marion G. Russell Fellowship, Department of Geography and GIScience, UIUC
2013-14 Graduate Fellowship, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, UIUC
2012-14 National Science Foundation (NSF) Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant
2012-13 Social Science Research Council (SSRC) International Dissertation Research Fellowship
2011-12 Charles S. Alexander Fellowship, Department of Geography and GIScience, UIUC
2011 Urban Geography Student Travel Award, Association of American Geographers
2010-11 Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship, Portuguese, US Dept of Education
2010-11 Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship, College of Fine & Applied Arts, UIUC
2010-11 Human Dimensions of Environmental Systems Program Scholar, UIUC
2010 Tinker Research Grant, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, UIUC
Languages
Spanish
Portuguese
Italian
Timeline
Lecturer
University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
01.2015 - 06.2015
Doctoral Researcher
University Of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
08.2009 - 12.2015
Project Consultant
PADECO International Development Consulting Company
05.2006 - 04.2009
Project Administrator
International Business Initiatives
10.2004 - 04.2006
Ph.D. - Geography
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Master of Science - Geography and Environment
London School of Economics And Political Science
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology
Butler University
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