Alumni Spotlight

JT Travis, BS ’15 Anthropology

Joshua “JT” Travis, a champion for nonprofits, works with community leaders across the United States to develop and implement strategic, community-focused programming. Since graduating from Illinois with a Bachelors in Anthropology and minors in both Biological Sciences and Criminal Justice, Travis has learned that grit and courage are necessary attributes we all must develop in order to survive, let alone thrive. Travis went on to receive a Masters in Nonprofit Management from DePaul University, and is currently seeking a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership at Governors State University. Travis began his career supporting national and state nonprofits such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Children’s Home & Aid, and Youth Guidance. From 2020 to 2022 Joshua served as the Executive Director of the Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus securing over $1 million in funding and doubling staff capacity. In February 2022 Joshua accepted a role with the Global Alzheimer’s Platform (GAP) Foundation as the Regional Manager for Diversity and Community Outreach. In his role, Joshua leads partnering with communities throughout Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana to link historically under resourced populations with awareness, health education and access to clinical studies.