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Andrew A Davis

Candidate for Chicago Public School Board, District 4

Sustain excellence in all the schools where it already flourishes. Bolster support for schools in need of greater investment.

Andrew A. Davis

Life-long Chicagoan, and a resident of the 43rd Ward since 1980.

Andrew’s four children have attended both public and private Chicago schools; his youngest is currently a CPS student at Lincoln Park High School. In two years his grandson will be a CPS student.

For the last nineteen years, Davis has been working to provide school funding for post-secondary students in need. In 2012 Davis founded Education Equity, Inc. (EEI), a mission-driven company providing students with affordable funding to attend graduate school. In 2020 Davis reorganized EEI as a 501(c)(3) (not-for-profit) organization. The Education Equity Fund, NFP (EEF) currently provides zero-interest loans to Chicago-area teachers who are preparing to become school Principals by earning their EdD at the University of Illinois Chicago’s program for Urban Education Leadership.

Davis’s experience in education governance and public service includes seventeen years on the Board of Trustees of Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin (his alma mater), the final five years as Board Chair. He also served as a parent representative on the LSC of Newberry Math and Science Academy. Davis served for three years on the Board of the GCE Lab School.

Davis entered the world of education funding after twenty-five years in the capital markets trading business. In 2006, he was appointed to the Board of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). He was chosen by ISAC’s Commissioners to be ISAC’s Executive Director a year later, on the eve of what became the 2007-2009 financial crisis. Previously, the Commission had had national ambitions, but Davis acted quickly to focus exclusively on aiding Illinois students. Down-sizing ISAC’s $5 billion loan portfolio to aid only Illinois students and schools earned Illinois tax-payers over
$200 million dollars. Throughout the crisis, ISAC was able to continue supporting Illinois students, while other states were unable to fund their students.

While at ISAC Davis, in cooperation with CPS’s Department of College and Career Preparation, created an initiative to increase the rate of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completions by CPS students. This pilot program with CPS took the rate of completion from 50% to over 80%. The program was then rolled out statewide and now is available in all fifty states. Under Davis’s leadership ISAC also started the Illinois Student Assistance Corps (ISACorps), a statewide network of near-peer advocates who help high school students make well-informed plans to apply and fund their college educations.

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”In the 17 years I have known and worked with Andy on education issues, I've seen first-hand his deep commitment to ensuring that all Chicago's young people get a high-quality K-12 education. He is uniquely qualified for a seat on the board of CPS because of his financial expertise, his work in the public sector expanding access to higher education, and his current efforts to increase diversity and promote excellence in school leadership. After 25 years in capital markets trading, Andy led the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and made it possible for tens of thousands of Illinoisans to obtain student financial aid while putting the agency on a firm financial footing. Andy founded and leads the Educational Equity Fund, which provides income support to individuals seeking advanced degrees to qualify for principal positions, with an emphasis on supporting candidates of color. I strongly endorse Andy for a seat on the CPS Board.

Anne LadkyFormer CEO, Women Employed
Board member, Educational Equity Fund

”Andrew Davis is a widely respected Chicago businessman and father. He currently dedicates himself to not-for-profit initiatives to improve Chicago schools. He would bring business acumen and educational experience to the CPS Board.

Charles BernardiniFormer Alderman, 43rd Ward

”Andy Davis wants to serve for all the right reasons, including that he has a child in the Chicago Public Schools. Son of an educator, life-long Chicagoan, former college trustee and board chair, funder through his nonprofit corporation of award-winning Chicago principals’ advancement, I cannot imagine someone with stronger qualifications or more relevant experience for this important role. He’s got no axe to grind except his commitment to great teaching and excellent student outcomes. Throughout his public service and business careers,
he has earned a reputation as a creative problem-solver, who understands the bottom line.

Dr. Harold WildePresident Emeritus, North Central College

”Andrew Davis has been pivotal in empowering educators of color to pursue and achieve leadership roles in urban education through advanced degrees. His unwavering dedication to enhancing diversity within educational leadership has profoundly impacted our schools, fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment. Andy's vision and efforts are indispensable as they improve our educational landscape and inspire and cultivate future leaders. Andy would be an asset to the Chicago Board of Education, ensuring that students receive the resources they need and that teachers and staff are supported to make a significant difference in the lives of children.

Dr. Efrain MartinezPrincipal Conrad Fischer Elementary, Elmhurst

”Andy has been an unwaivering advocate for Chicago Public Schools for several decades. Not only have his own children gone through CPS, but he has invested countless resources into developing school leadership. Andy is well informed, even keel, operates with the highest integrity, and works hard to see the big picture so he can serve all stakeholders. I cannot think of a better candidate for the Chicago Board of Education.

Dr. Gwyneth KramChief of Employee Experience, Tempe, AZ Elementary School District No. 3.
Former Principal McCutcheon Elementary CPS

”It is my great pleasure to support the candidacy of Andrew Davis to serve on the Chicago Board of Education. A long-time friend and fellow educator, I admire Andy’s work and, in support, have donated to his non-profit, The Education Equity Fund, NFP.

Andy is thoughtful, fair, informed, and articulate. Through his generosity, he has powerfully demonstrated his support for the maintenance of high standards in public school teaching and leadership. I share Andy’s commitment to teachers and administrators, having spent 40 years as a teacher, head of several schools, and undergraduate instructor. It is because I have been in the trenches myself and because I know Andy so well, that I know that he will be an excellent Board member of the Chicago Public Schools.

Dr. Eleanor NicholsonRetired Principal