Alumni National Awards

Diederich College of Communication Award Recipients


YOUNG ALUMNA OF THE YEAR AWARD


AnichiniHeather Young Anichini, Comm '99


Chicago


As CEO of The Chicago Public Education Fund, Heather thinks the best part of her job is helping great educators change lives.

Heather’s nonprofit organization has played an important role in Chicago’s work to improve learning and increase graduation rates. Her team works to ensure more public schools have the leadership and support required to accelerate learning and life outcomes for all children citywide.

“Public education is a shared community commitment to the future of our city and providing great public schools is a moral imperative,” she says. “I am proud that Chicago is leading the way in helping all of our students live up to their full potential.”

Before joining The Chicago Public Education Fund, Heather worked with several local and national organizations, including Chicago Public Schools and Teach For America. She started her education career on Chicago’s West Side, where she taught middle school and worked with local nonprofit groups to improve their programming.

Reflecting on her experience at Marquette, Heather is grateful for the training she received as a journalist. “I have to write thousands of words every day,” she says. “I appreciate the ability to choose them quickly and carefully. I wouldn’t be able to do the work I do today without the experience Marquette offered.”

Fun fact: Heather and her family just welcomed their fourth child, Cora Anne Young, Marquette Class of 2038.