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Stéphanie Jean-Baptiste, Ph.D.
Artist and Educator
Email:
A Bit About Me
I’m an educator, advisor, and strategist with 10+ years of experience. I specialize in curriculum design, public speaking, guest lecturing, and one-on-one advising.
Work Experience
March 2020 - Present
Language Access and Interpretation Specialist Freelance | March 2020 - Present
Advancing equitable communication for immigrant, Indigenous, and BIPOC communities.
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Developed culturally responsive and linguistically accessible educational materials in French and Haitian Kreyol, enhancing health and civil literacy for underserved populations.
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Collaborated closely with interpreter teams to ensure accuracy, clarity, and cultural integrity in all multilingual communications.
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Conducted thorough topic research to build terminology fluency and strengthen subject-matter accuracy across legal, health, and educational contexts.
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Delivered real-time interpretation in Haitian Kreyol, French, and Spanish during workshops and semester-long courses and fostering inclusive, respectful environments for participants.
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Prioritized community trust by centering relational communication practices, active listening, and context-aware interpretation that honors lived experience and cultural nuance.
August 2016 - May 2025
Educator, Mentor & Student Success Advocate
Empowered students through transformative pedagogy, and value-based mentorship.
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Designed and taught undergraduate courses exploring systems of inequality and social reform, using a social justice lens centering critical reflection.
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Mentored 300+ students across academic, personal, and career pathways.
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Integrated lived experiences and community narratives into course content, cultivating inclusive, culturally responsive learning spaces that connected theory to students’ realities and ambitions.
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Led up to 6 lectures per week for classes of up to 50 students, translating complex sociological and criminological frameworks into practical, accessible information.
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Developed engaging instructional materials, including PowerPoint decks, evaluation rubrics, and in-class activities that emphasized critical inquiry.
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Graded and evaluated students.
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Partnered with university support teams to identify students in need of additional academic or personal support.
Courses taught:
Loyola University of Chicago
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Race, Crime, & the Criminal Justice System (CJC 372), 2024–2025
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Professions and Society (SOCL 230), Spring 2025
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Global Inequalities (SOCL 252), Fall 2024; 2019–2020
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Inequality in Society (SOCL 250), Fall 2020 (online)
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Globalization and Society (SOCL 265), 2018–2019
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Race & Ethnicity (SOCL 122), 2016–2018
Northern Illinois University – Department of Anthropology
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Black Studies (ANTH 250), Fall 2023 (online)
Northeastern Illinois University – Department of Sociology
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Social Movements (SOCL 310), Fall 2018
January 2019 - June 2023
Research Assistant, Loyola University Chicago
Emphasized cross-cultural framing, ethical analysis, and data integrity in research
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Led research for “Ou pa Moun Bo Isit,” a three-year dissertation centering Haitian community perspective on international NGOs, grounded in Indigenous knowledge and cultural context.
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Conducted interviews in Haitian Creole, providing real-time interpretation to facilitate ethical, respectful dialogue with participants.
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Interpreted data through both cultural and analytical lenses, using SPSS for statistical trends and NVivo for thematic analysis of non-numerical data.
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Transcribed, translated, and coded qualitative data with a focus on preserving meaning, voice, and context.
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Synthesized findings into accessible insights, challenging dominant NGO narratives and supporting more community-driven, culturally responsive approaches.
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Communicated results to academic, nonprofit, audiences using through clear, actionable language.
August 2019 - March 2020
Substitute Overnight Supervisor
Overnight Operations Coordinator responsible for the safe, efficient, and student-centered operation of a high-traffic academic center located at the Information Commons.
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Managed overnight (12:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m.) operations, ensuring uninterrupted access to academic spaces and resources.
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Oversaw building functionality, safety, and compliance, addressing operational issues in real time.
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Supervised and monitored use of general study areas, multipurpose rooms, and reservable study spaces.
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Served as a primary liaison between Campus Safety and Connections Café to coordinate incident response and facility needs.
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Responded to and resolved student and visitor concerns, implementing practical solutions to maintain a positive environment.
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Provided accurate information and front-line support to students, faculty, and guests in a 24-hour academic setting.
Invited Talks and Presentations
2025
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“Building BIPOC Spaces Through a Social Justice Framework.” University of Illinois Chicago, Department of Psychology. ​​​​​​​
2024
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Konbit. Workshop facilitator and Keynote Speaker. Haitian American Museum Of Chicago
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Black Women in Positions of Power Symposium. Guest speaker presentation. Leather Archives Museum.
2023
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“Ou Pa Moun Bò Isit: Haitian Locals’ Attitudes Toward NGO Representatives.” 3 Minute Thesis, Loyola University Chicago.
2022
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“Surviving the Obstacle Course: How to Do Research in Times of Hardship.” CatCH Scholars Program, University of Massachusetts Boston.
2020
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“Van an Jete Fwi yo (The Wind Is Killing the Fruits): Who Pays the Price for Environmental Crises?” International Sociological Association, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
2019
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“Se Met Ko ki Veye Ko: Haitians’ Attitudes Toward White Immigrants.” Caribbean Studies Association Conference, Santa Marta, Colombia.
2018
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“Reversing the Gaze: How Haitian Citizens Process the Presence of White Immigrants.” Haitian Studies Association, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2017
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“Redefining Borders.” Global Studies Association, Northampton University, UK.
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“Borders: New Definitions and Gendered Perspectives.” Women’s Day Conference, Loyola University Chicago.
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“The Powerful Immigrant.” Chicago Network for Immigration, Loyola University Chicago.
2016
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“The Representation of Haitian Immigrants in Two Chicago Newspapers.” Midwest Sociological Society, Milwaukee, WI.
2015
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​“Beyond Punch Lines and Sick Beats: Hip Hop and Black Male Masculinity.” Graduate Research Symposium, Loyola University, Chicago.
2014
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​“Exploring Catholic Feminism.” CUNY Pipeline Conference, New York, NY.
Education
2024
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Ph.D., Sociology, Loyola University Chicago, Dissertation: Ou Pa Moun Bò Isit: Haitian Locals’ Attitudes Toward NGO Representatives. Advisor: Dr. Rhys H. Williams
2016
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M.A., Sociology, Loyola University Chicago, May 2016 Thesis: Media Representation of Haitians in Mainstream and African American Newspapers.
2013
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B.A., Sociology, Cum Laude, Queens College, CUNY, May 2013
2008
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High School Diploma, Institution du Sacre-Coeur
Grants and Fellowships
2022-2023
• Arthur J. Schmitt Fellowship, Loyola University of Chicago
2020-2021
• Teaching Scholar Fellowship, Loyola University of Chicago
2019-2020
• Graduate Research Assistantship, National Science Foundation
2018
• Distinguished Graduate Instructor Award, Loyola University of Chicago
2013-2016
• Graduate Fellowship, Loyola University of Chicago
2012-2013
• Pipeline Fellowship, City University of New-York, Queens College
2012
• Mellon Mays South Africa Study Abroad Scholarship
2010-2012
• Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship
Service Oriented Roles
2024
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Revolutionary Mentor Selection Committee, UIC
2018
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Panel Discussant, STARS Program, Loyola
2017-2018
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Member, Sociology Campus Climate Committee, Loyola
2014-2015
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Co-Chair, Chicago Ethnography Conference
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Representative, Sociology Department in GSAC, Loyola
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Co-President, Graduate Association for Sociologists, Loyola