Chris Ludwig Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois

Work as the IT Service Coordinator, part of the IT Service Operations Team in the IT Unit of the ELCA. Responsibilities include the administration of IT employee on-boarding and off-boarding, purchasing IT hardware, software, and licensing, managing and tracking all IT inventory, maintaining the IT Unit's mandated service level objective (which ensures IT-related issues are resolved competently and quickly), resolving technical issues as needed, and identifying, documenting, and remedying gaps in IT service-related procedures. The fulfillment of these responsibilities has been commended as skillful, professional, and valuable to the organization (see confirmation in attached supporting presentation).

Chicago, Illinois

Worked as a Help Desk Specialist, part of the Information Technology (IT) Services Delivery Team. I coordinated, permitted, and monitored staff access to various computer information systems, devices, programs, and services, resolved and restored hardware and software errors and functionality, demonstrated how to achieve working techniques to those encountering IT issues, provided written instructional guides, and communicated via voice, text, or video conferencing in order to address and prioritize the incoming tasks that the Help Desk is responsible for resolving. I also co-led an initiative to create, promote, and distribute an IT Service Catalog; this is a platform to inform, educate, and connect all of the various teams, disciplines, and programs comprising all of the IT services offered at the ELCA.

Greater Chicago Area

Work with the ELCA's Disability Ministries as a member of their Program Advisory Team. The focus of the team is to raise the profile and participation of persons with disabilities within the ELCA by highlighting three key impact areas: Preparing leaders with disabilities to act with authority within the ELCA, equipping congregations and synods with disability-related information and resources, and connecting and gathering together persons with disabilities and their allies throughout the ELCA, to provide an example of working unity and empowerment. I also facilitate the Grant Review Action Team, which discusses, debates, and decides whether to support individuals and organizations seeking grant funding from Disability Ministries, and I'm the Editor of the Disability Ministries Program Newsletter, which showcases successes stories, notifies about new or ongoing projects, and measures the impact that Disability Ministries is having on the ELCA. For an overview of the purpose and accomplishments of Disability Ministries, please enjoy the accompanying video (if prompted to enter credentials, please type: elcavideo)

Chicago, Illinois

Worked at ITKAN consulting on the company's Advisory Team (akin to the Board of Directors), shaping ITKAN's vision, objectives, services, and strategic potential. I also developed promotional material detailing how to increase the presence of people with disabilities within technology professions and communities, advocating for increased access, respect, and authority for professionals with disabilities who qualify, use, design, and produce technological devices, systems, and services. Finally, I authored and administered public presentations, which, for example, examined and critiqued the accessibility features and support networks available in mobile operating systems, such as Apple’s iOS, and Google’s Android.

Carol Stream, Illinois

Worked at Synergy Adaptive Athletics to secure and expand the number of athletes participating in athletic programming for people with physical disabilities, as well as research and promote new and different types of athletic programs Synergy could administer or ally with. Outreach and recruitment were focused within the communities of individuals with a spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, amputation, and/or traumatic brain injury. The highest accomplishment of my tenure at Synergy involved initiating, shepherding, and realizing a nationally-focused publicity spotlight for Synergy Adaptive Athletics, on the website for the National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCHPAD).

Carol Stream, Illinois

Worked as a coach on the Warriors Boccia Team. I conceived, introduced, developed, and explained tactical competitive methods, then demonstrated the practicality of these tactics in game play. There was also a direct mentoring aspect to coaching, through which I helped athletes to facilitate social connection, self-confidence, maturity, and responsibility. At the two National Competitions I coached in, the Warriors Boccia Team won the Silver Medal and the Bronze Medal. I also acted as a public relations spokesman for the organization, promoting the positive philosophy, methods, and results that defined the culture of the team and the program in television interviews, as well as print and social media.

Wheaton, Illinois

Worked on the AbilityLinks Blog, submitted articles providing advice and experience to job seekers with disabilities, as well as guiding and promoting job providers looking to appeal to the community of job seekers with disabilities. Common topics included successfully integrating, socializing, and accommodating a workplace to become welcoming and productive for a work force including both people with disabilities, as well as people who are able-bodied.

Glen Ellyn, Il

Worked as an advocate for children, teens, and adults with disabilities, asserting the advantages of a consciously ambitious, learned, and self-supporting social, political, and economic base. Their ability to understand independence and pursue living independently is reinforced through leadership training, mentoring, and educational and advocacy tasks and services that I customized and provided to facilitate the achievement of goals established by my clients or their primary caretakers. These goals included aspirations such as increased educational opportunities or job-readiness qualifications for individuals or groups ready to provide for themselves and succeed on their own merits. I also clearly communicated the Center’s essential public profile, aggressively pursuing community outreach and fundraising opportunities at the Department of Health and Human Services, DuPage County schools, assisted living communities, and healthcare providers. My efforts and assistance directly resulted in the successful achievement of my clients’ independent living goals, as well as my becoming an organizer and featured presenter at the Illinois Statewide Transition Conference, and being asked to become the Co-Chairperson of the DuPage County Transition Planning Committee.

Wheaton, Il

Worked on the AbilityLinks website, an education and employment assistance platform for people with disabilities. Duties entailed refining résumés in collaboration with each client. The résumé’s also received proofreading and grammar inspection before being posted directly onto the site, where prospective employers were able to review the information and consider candidates for available positions.

Warrenville, Il

Worked on refining customer service skills by greeting moviegoers, offering directions to the correct theater, and providing information about show times and dates.

Master'S Degree, Creative Writing, 3.8

Activities and Societies: National Honors Society, Dean's List

Bachelor'S Degree, English, 3.7