Alumni Profiles
Department of Political Science and Public Administration

Terry Peterson

In June of 2000, Terry Peterson was appointed Chief Executive Officer for the Chicago Housing Authority by Mayor Richard M. Daley. As CEO, he is responsible for the management of the Authority’s ten-year $1.5 billion Plan for Transformation. The Plan’s commitment is to rehabilitate or construct 25,000 units of public housing in communities that are safer, physically sound and provide economic opportunities for residents. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Peterson served as an elected official holding the office of Alderman of the City of Chicago’s 17th Ward. Mr. Peterson also served as Assistant Commissioner in the Chicago Department of Planning and Development. Among his many duties for the Mayor, he oversaw redevelopment initiatives surrounding the Cabrini-Green and Henry Horner public housing developments. Mr. Peterson served on the National Advisory Board of Fannie Mae.

Currently, Mr. Peterson serves on the Board of Directors of The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), an organization that researches and advocates for housing policy that ensures the preservation and improvement of public housing programs. Mr. Peterson is a graduate of Chicago State University and possesses a master’s degree in Public Administration from Roosevelt University.

LeRoy Martin

LeRoy Martin has served the City of Chicago and Illinois State Police Forces for more than 40 years. Mr. Martin currently serves as Central Management Services Chief of Police for the State of Illinois a position he has held since 1994 based on his strong record of achievement in law enforcement. Martin received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Roosevelt University in 1972 and went on later to attain a Master's in Public Administration from Roosevelt. Mr. Martin is also affiliated with numerous associations such as, Major City Chiefs the United Negro College Fund and is a Trustee with the Chicago Clergy Association and the Abraham Lincoln Center.

Melissa Bean

Congresswoman Melissa Bean was sworn into office on January 4, 2005 and is serving her first term as U.S. Representative to Illinois Eighth Congressional District, which includes portions of Lake, McHenry and Cook Counties. Rep. Bean serves on the House Financial Services Committee and House Committee on Small Business among several others. Rep. Bean earned her degree in Political Science from Roosevelt University. She has also been an active community leader, serving as a member of several local civic, business and education groups.

Brenda Gaines

After 16 years of service, Brenda Gaines recently retired as President and CEO of Diners Club North America, a member of Citigroup. During the last five years of her tenure, Gaines was responsible for leading this key franchise in the global 29 billion-dollar Citigroup Diners Club International Payment Systems Brand. Gaines served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Chicago's Mayor Harold Washington. She was responsible for the implementation of mayoral initiatives, development of policies and goals and co-management of the daily operations of the City's 42 operating departments. She also served as commissioner of the Department of Housing for the City of Chicago, and held a series of increasingly responsible positions at the regional level for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Gaines received her B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her M.P.A. from Roosevelt University, Chicago. In 2004, Ebony magazine named Gaines in "15 at the Top In Corporate America" and Crain's Chicago Business recognized her as "100 Most Influential Women". Gaines was also honored by her alma mater, Roosevelt University with the "Otto Wirth Award" for Lifetime Achievement and most recently was honored with the Women's Foodservice Forum's 2004 Trailblazer Award.