Jamie Lynn Kleinsorge is a Program Assistant for Community Initiatives and brings expertise in rural community development, community facilitation and process, civic engagement, direct action organizing, economic development, strategic planning, social networking and non-profit management.

Jamie recently received a Master of Science in Rural Sociology with an emphasis in Community Development from the University of Missouri-Columbia. While at the University, Jamie worked for the Promotoras de Salud project through Centro Latino. In that role, Jamie gathered and analyzed client data, designed and implemented outreach projects, and assisted the Promotoras with curriculum development, program management, and bilingual affairs. Moreover, Jamie was also selected to assist with the development of a strategic planning process for the City of Columbia, Missouri. Jamie researched and designed a social networking and civic engagement strategy to augment public participation in the planning process. Finally, while at Mizzou, Jamie assisted with the development of a community development textbook under the supervision of Kenneth Pigg, PhD.

Prior to attending the University of Missouri, Jamie worked as a Community Development Specialist for the Illinois Coalition for Community Services in the Eastern Illinois Area Project. While at ICCS, Jamie served rural communities in a nine county region and provided consultation to non-profit organizations, community groups, and government agencies. Through this work Jamie was able to design, promote, and evaluate community and economic development projects, develop alternative strategies for programs based on data analysis and project-specific research, and assist community and social organizations with the non-profit and tax exemption processes. Moreover, Jamie also instructed workshops regarding strategic planning, grant writing, leadership development, board development, volunteer recruitment and fundraising. Finally, Jamie worked closely with the organizations like the Coles County Meth Awareness Coalition, Edgar County Homeless Association, Neoga Youth and Community Center Association, Clark County AL-TRANS Committee, Newman Give Our Area Life (GOAL), Coles County Drug Court and Alumni Association, Charleston Community Garden Association, and AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) to further targeted and local community initiatives.

Jamie received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Western Illinois University. While at WIU, Jamie served as Student Body President and interned at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.

Jamie lives in Columbia, MO with her husband Dan and their dog Otto.