Office of Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation welcomes incoming UChicago academics

October 29, 2019

The University of Chicago recently launched the Office of Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation to help incoming faculty, their partners, and their families relocate and acclimate to the campus and local community. Led by Liv Leader, Director of Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation, and reporting to Vice Provost Melissa Gilliam, the office works with new faculty who need assistance identifying housing and childcare options, along with dual career networking opportunities.  

“Building your life in a new community can be overwhelming,” Leader said. You may ask yourself, ‘Where should I live? Should I rent for a year or buy a home? Where should my children go to school? Where do young professionals live in Chicago? Will I need a car or can I use public transit? How do I find a good moving company?’ These are the kinds of questions we address with faculty families relocating to Chicago.”

Faculty who are in the process of moving to Chicago or are relocating to a different part of the city can connect with the office to learn about local housing options. A housing guide is available to serve as a quick point of reference for faculty exploring different home rental and purchase options. Childcare options are another focus area of the office, which maintains a directory of childcare providers, parent resources, and activities for families with young children. The office also works with faculty partners to help them build their professional networks in Chicago and identify various career opportunities.

Julio A. Gonzalez-Sotomayor, Associate Professor and Section Chief, Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Management Service in the Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, connected with the Office of Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation when he and his partner were in the position of moving to Chicago. 

“Liv connected us with a realtor who has deep connections to the University as well as with the surrounding neighborhood,” Gonzalez-Sotomayor said. “Liv also connected my partner with some people in Hyde Park to assist with the job search process. The office is really helpful for people looking to make connections with different people around the community.”

Along with incoming academics, deans, associate deans, and members of faculty search committees are encouraged to connect with the Office of Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation with any questions they may have as they navigate through the appointment process during the academic year. Units may direct prospective faculty candidates to contact the office should they have questions or need assistance. 

Working in tandem with the UChicago Faculty Development Program, the Office of Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation also coordinates a number of events designed to connect faculty with campus and community resources. A walking tour of Hyde Park on November 5 will focus on architectural highlights of the neighborhood and the history of the Urban Renewal of the 1950s and 1960s. Previous events have included campus tours and childcare/K-12 information sessions held in partnership with other Office of the Provost staff.

The Office of Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation is based in Levi Hall. For more information, contact Leader at lleader@uchicago.edu or set up a call with her using this online scheduler.