CCSJ Charter Authority

Dr. Ginger Rodriguez

Board President

Ginger Rodriguez, Ph.D., is the inaugural president of the CCSJ Charter School Authority, LLC. She has devoted more than 40 years to education since she moved to the Robertsdale section of Hammond with her family in 1982, drawing on a broad interdisciplinary academic background, diverse professional experience, and community engagement. Her children attended Catholic schools in Hammond and Whiting, and she has volunteered in school and youth activities, as well as environmental initiatives in the Calumet Region.

In her first position in Northwest Indiana, Dr. Rodriguez reported on local school and library systems for the Times. This experience gave her insights into the educational landscape and the roles that boards and community groups play in student success. In her next position, as the Director of Public Relations at the East Chicago Public Library, she initiated and oversaw youth literacy programs and the East Chicago History Room, which documented the development of industry and community in the region and presented regular programming. A 30-year career at Calumet College of St. Joseph followed, in which Dr. Rodriguez taught Humanities courses and research and writing, focusing on interdisciplinary learning, high-impact educational practices, and experiential learning. As Vice President for Academic Affairs, she oversaw all academic programs and led accreditation processes. She later drew on this experience to develop new sources of funding to support innovative academic programs and student services.

Dr. Rodriguez’s decades of experience as an educator, administrator, parent, and community member inform her commitment to the Charter School Authority’s work to expand high-quality educational opportunities for students and families throughout Northwest Indiana.

Shana Levinson, Attorney at Law

Board Member

Shana Levinson is a lifelong advocate for Northwest Indiana and an attorney with more than 25 years of legal experience. She brings her legal expertise, leadership, and commitment to the Region on behalf of CCSJ and CCSJ-authorized school, students and families.

Shana earned her undergraduate degree from Indiana University Bloomington in 1994 and her law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1998. She has practiced law in Northwest Indiana throughout her career and is a partner at Levinson & Levinson in Merrillville, Indiana.

Deeply invested in the strength and future of the Region, Shana is committed to supporting education, families, and the broader Northwest Indiana community. Her husband of 25 years is also a Northwest Indiana native and an educator, and together they share a strong commitment to improving the community they call home. Through her professional and community service and service to many municipal boards, Shana is dedicated to helping create opportunities for individuals, families, and future generations throughout the Region.

Ellery Hunter

Board Member

Ellery is a graduate of Calumet College of St. Joseph (B.S. Organizational Management ‘98) and has done extensive graduate studies at Garrett Evangelical Theological School and Howard University School of Divinity. He is currently an Adjunct Professor in Theology at Calumet College of St. Joseph and serves on the Board of Trustees of Calumet College in addition to the Board of Managers of CCSJ Charter Authority, LLC. He also is the CEO of the Hunter Family Foundation (a charitable organization focused on education); a Board Member of SAFE (an Illinois charitable organization focused on assisting unhoused families); an ordained minister; and published author. He retired in 2021 after a 34-year career in the telecom industry as a Labor Relations executive.