Angel Pantoja
Chicago
Summary
Dedicated and experienced professional with a passion for advancing justice, equity, and opportunity through education and restorative justice. Seeking to leverage expertise in higher education in prison, reentry programming, and policy advocacy to drive transformative change within the Illinois Department of Corrections and beyond.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Reentry Policy Coordinator
Office of the Lt. Governor, Illinois
03.2023 - Current
- Serve as a key advisor to the Lt. Governor and the Justice, Equity, and Opportunity (JEO) Initiative, assessing and addressing barriers to educational programming within the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC).
- Plan and execute the Higher Education in Prison (HEP) Conference (February 2025), developing panels, moderating content, and selecting diverse speakers to foster collaboration among state agencies, educators, and community stakeholders.
- Support restorative justice programs (Healing Beyond Harm, CAVE, CHOICE), expanding their reach through facilitator training, curriculum alignment, and direct engagement with incarcerated participants.
- Advocate for HEP through public speaking, panel participation, and legislative outreach, promoting trauma-informed pedagogy and equitable access to education.
- Contribute to the Governor’s Justice Cabinet Workforce Development Workgroup, designing a rehabilitative workforce track integrating education, job training, and transitional employment.
Project Coordinator
Illinois Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (ILCHEP)
01.2021 - 03.2023
- Coordinated efforts to recruit colleges and universities to provide educational programs in IDOC facilities, building partnerships and facilitating MOUs.
- Developed resources and training materials for educators and administrators to ensure successful program implementation in correctional settings.
- Organized community engagement events to raise awareness of HEP, connecting stakeholders to advocate for expanded access to education.
- Collected and analyzed program data to assess impact and inform policy recommendations, contributing to ILCHEP’s strategic growth.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL08-2025
Associate Degree -
Danville Area Community College
Danville, IL07-2017
Skills
- Program management and stakeholder coordination
- Restorative justice practices
- Policy analysis and advocacy
- Public speaking and community engagement
- Data-driven program evaluation
- Relationship building with correctional systems, higher education institutions, and community organizations
- Relationship building
- MS office
- Project coordination
Accomplishments
- Convened all colleges operating in Illinois prisons to draft a unified memorandum shaping statewide HEP policy.
- Reduced onboarding timelines for new HEP programs in IDOC facilities by fostering strong relationships with IDOC leadership.
- Played a pivotal role in embedding restorative justice practices into IDJJ administrative directives, enhancing youth justice outcomes.
- Elevated student voices in policy development, ensuring incarcerated learners’ needs shape educational and reentry programming.
Affiliations
- Board Member, Prison + Neighborhood Arts Project (PNAP)
Support the advancement of arts-based education and advocacy for incarcerated individuals by contributing to program strategy, community engagement, and policy outreach. - Member, Illinois Reentry Council
Participate in statewide reentry initiatives, offering insight on policy development, systems coordination, and improving outcomes for justice-impacted populations. - Restorative Justice Coordinator, People’s Liberty Project
Lead restorative justice initiatives including facilitation of healing circles, community engagement, and training of new practitioners to build accountability and resilience in impacted communities.
Certification
Certified Restorative Justice Practitioner
Languages
Spanish
English
Timeline
Reentry Policy Coordinator
Office of the Lt. Governor, Illinois
03.2023 - Current
Project Coordinator
Illinois Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (ILCHEP)
01.2021 - 03.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies
Northeastern Illinois University
Associate Degree -
Danville Area Community College
Similar Profiles
Kelly JohnsonKelly Johnson
Director of Strategic Initiatives at Executive Office of the Lt. GovernorDirector of Strategic Initiatives at Executive Office of the Lt. Governor
KELLI WOODSKELLI WOODS
Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor for Infrastructure, Public Safety, Environment & Energy at Illinois Office of the GovernorSpecial Assistant to the Deputy Governor for Infrastructure, Public Safety, Environment & Energy at Illinois Office of the Governor
Josh BrodskyJosh Brodsky
DUNN FELLOW at OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF ILLINOISDUNN FELLOW at OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS
CHIEDZA NADIA TAPFUMANEYICHIEDZA NADIA TAPFUMANEYI
Clinical Applications Manager at CSI Healthcare ITClinical Applications Manager at CSI Healthcare IT
Gwen McNallyGwen McNally
Intern at Select Model ManagementIntern at Select Model Management