ROCKFORD - Carolyn Morris, who serves a City of DeKalb alderman, has been named executive director of RAMP, a non-profit advocacy group for people with disabilities which operates out of office in Rockford, DeKalb and Freeport.
Morris, who serves as Ward 1 Alderman since 2019 and is running for DeKalb mayor, was announced in her new role Friday, according to a press release from the organization.
“RAMP’s strength and leadership in the community is something I am eager to build on, working collaboratively throughout all the communities RAMP is serving in,” Morris said in the release. “Together, with RAMP’s fantastic team, I look forward to building an inclusive society, empowering those of us with disabilities to achieve our dreams.”
Morris received her B.S. in Economics from Northern Illinois University and will complete her Masters in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University in mid-March. She served as an Active Duty Marine for 11 years, first as a Combat Engineer and then as a Linguist, holding many various managerial positions. Following the Marine Corps, Morris founded and managed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the Champaign area for 6 years. During the same time, she served in the Marine Corps Reserves first managing a unit of 40 Marines and later managing Future Planning and Operations for a unit of 140 Marines.
RAMP has three officers that serve clients in Boone, DeKalb, Stephenson and Winnebago counties, and is a member of United Way.