Erin Neubert is the senior associate dean of general education and professional studies within the undergraduate college. Erin began her career in education as a middle-school teacher at a dual-language school in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. She transitioned to various administrative roles where she took a lead developing assessment and data analysis systems, evaluation and professional development structures, and approaches to instruction and curriculum. She was also the founding academic director for a K-8th grade elementary school on the far West Side of Chicago that serves over 550 students.

Most recently, Erin has taught multiple humanities, art, and career development college courses in the Chicagoland area. Erin is passionate about providing all students with access to a high-quality educational experience and loves working with students. She is committed to the importance of humanities instruction and believes it is critical to developing one’s values and identity.

Erin holds a bachelor’s degree in art history and Spanish from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in humanities from the University of Chicago.  She enjoys running and reading when she is not spending time with her husband and three children.

Veronica Wilson is the Executive Director of Undergraduate Student Success. In this role she provides vision and leadership for the Coaching model so that undergraduate students who are attending college for the first time have the support in place to achieve their academic and career goals. Veronica has worked at NLU since 2017 and has had the pleasure to work with teams supporting transfer, graduate, and online learners.

Prior to joining NLU, Veronica worked in various roles in higher education including academic advising, residence life, TRIO Student Support Services, diversity programming, and Greek affairs. She earned a B.S. degree in Psychology and M.A. in College Student Personnel.

Outside of work Veronica enjoys reading, photography, road trips, and spending time at Lake Michigan, even in the winter months.

Tatiana Roberts is a proud graduate of Howard University and holds a Master of Science in Public Service Management from DePaul University. With over 10 years experience managing, facilitating, and implementing various nonprofit youth development and mentoring programs, as well as providing consulting services, Tatiana is committed to continuing her passion for helping young people succeed despite various challenges they may face. Tatiana believes in the importance of keeping students active, involved and exposed to opportunities that will put them at a competitive edge, and help them to become leaders within the global community. She began her journey at National Louis University as a Career Development Adjunct Instructor, then later became an Assistant Professor and Director of Undergraduate Career Development, and now she is the Director and Assistant Professor of 1st Year Academic Experience

Natasha Kohl is the Director of the Undergraduate Honors Program, where she is committed to creating unique learning experiences that deepen the UHP student's connection to school, community, and the wider world.  Her passion is to nurture the value of lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity. 

Natasha came to NLU as a member of the English faculty and holds a Ph.D. in English from Fordham University with a focus on critical race theory, education history, and 19th-century African-American literature. She also has an M.A. in English from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with an emphasis on Chicana literature and a B.A. in English from the University of New Mexico’s Honors College with a minor in religious studies. Before coming to NLU, Natasha was an assistant professor of English at Centenary University in New Jersey and has taught and directed educational programs in higher education for over 15 years. When not at work, Natasha enjoys camping, reading, and traveling. 

Dr. Uzoma Obidike, PhD, serves as the Director and Assistant Professor of Undergraduate Career Development at National Louis University. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, her expertise spans campus activities, student leadership development, student organizations, and career development. Dr. Uzoma is dedicated to teaching students how to gain the necessary experiences, skills, and networks to thrive in their careers.

In addition to her primary role, Dr. Uzoma chairs the Staff Council Professional Development Committee at NLU, promoting growth and reinforcing a sense of community among staff members. She holds a B.A. and an M.S.Ed. from Indiana University Bloomington, along with a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Indiana State University. In 2019, she was honored as an “Up and Coming Woman in Education” by the Influential Women of Northwest Indiana Awards.

Outside of her NLU responsibilities, Dr. Uzoma provides coaching to women undergoing career transitions and engages in public speaking. She is passionate about community building and also enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, gaming, and cherishing moments with her family.

Urvi is an Assistant Dean of Operations, she formerly worked at as the Associate Director of Data-Driven Practices in the Undergraduate College and as an Assistant Professor.

Prior to NLU she has worked as a high school math teacher and as a strategic consultant at Chicago Public Schools. Urvi received a bachelor of science degree from The George Washington University in economics and math, a master of arts in teaching (MAT) from NLU, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in teaching and learning with an emphasis on curriculum, advocacy and policy, concerned with how to teach math well to secondary students in a way that helps all students see that they can be successful. In her free time, Urvi enjoys cooking for friends and family, playing board games and trivia, spending time with her adopted cat, and traveling as much as she can.

Cullen Daniels is the Manager of Undergraduate College Operations. In this role, he supports the Assistant Dean of Operations to ensure smooth workflows and consistent experiences across staff, faculty, and students as well as manages the team of Operations Coordinators. He has previously held roles as a Senior Academic Operations Coordinator for the Undergraduate College and as the COVID-19 Compliance Assistant since he began working at National Louis University in 2021.

Cullen received his Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from DePaul University with a minor in computer science. He is currently working toward his Master of Science in Data Science, also at DePaul. In his free time, Cullen enjoys a host of hobbies including reading, playing games, cross stitching, and spending time with his partner and their two cats, Flint and Opal. In addition, he has also been a part of Windy City Winds’ clarinet section since 2023.

Jordan was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and has been living in Chicago since July 2022. He recently received his associate's degree in business management in May and is beginning his pursuit of a bachelor's degree at NLU starting next week. He is eager to learn more about the operations side of education and how it all comes together.   

Along with school and work, he has two boys who always keep him busy and bring adventure to his life. He is a huge football fan and is a diehard Alabama Crimson Tide fan. He is still new to Chicago, so if you have any recommendations for places to go and check out, please let him know!  

Eli Robbins is the Scheduling Coordinator for the Undergraduate College. She comes to National Louis University with a solid background in project management and coordination, and a genuine passion for data organization. Eli has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Loyola University Chicago, with a concentration in Digital Media, giving her a wider perspective of the online communities we create around the world.

Eli lives in the heart of Andersonville, enjoying its vibrant and diverse community. She is a proud pet parent to an Aussie/hound mix and a three-legged orange cat, both of whom make every day an adventure. In her free time, Eli enjoys reading, gaming, and kayaking, and is a proud singer with the Pippins, an amateur madrigal group that performs a repertoire of Renaissance and Medieval music.

Phuong Thai-Garcia joined the undergraduate college team at National Louis in 2018 as an instructional support leader and loves partnering with educators in growing their capacity to use heart and strengths to help students unleash their potential. At Kendall College from 2009-2018, she designed and taught face-to-face and online general education courses (Spanish and interdisciplinary courses that brought together traditional topics in integrative ways), worked closely with adjunct faculty, and was an active collaborator in reimagining Kendall's gen. ed. model.

Phuong has served as assistant program director of general education since 2017, overseeing the curriculum and day-to-day operations of the department. She also spent a year in the Center for Teaching and Learning at Kendall, focusing on faculty professional development. Before Kendall, she was a faculty member at Lake Forest Academy, a private boarding high school, where she taught Spanish and also worked with students on the tennis court, on stage, in the dorms, and in her family’s home. She appreciates a holistic approach to education and believes in the ability of every individual to own their learning and use their experience, values, and connection to others to drive their academic, professional and personal growth. Her degrees are in Spanish, from Pomona College (B.A.) and the University of California, Los Angeles (M.A.).

Martin Caver is the Director of Academic Quality within the undergraduate college. He has worked in various teaching and instructional capacities at the secondary and post-secondary level for over 15 years. He first came to Chicago in 2008 after receiving an M.A. in philosophy at Queen’s University as a Fulbright scholar. In Chicago he pursued an M.A. in Social Sciences at the University of Chicago and taught French in Chicago Public Schools before moving to North Carolina to pursue his Ph.D. in political science at the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill. At Chapel Hill, his research and teaching focused on contemporary issues within political theory, particularly intersectional feminist political thought and the work of Hannah Arendt. 

At National Louis, Martin strives to work in solidarity with students and colleagues, focusing on supporting Directors and Chairs through cycles of programmatic review, accreditation, and learning assessment. Additionally he leads professional development and other initiatives geared toward increasing instructional and pedagogical effectiveness and elevating student voices.

Elizabeth Schaefer, Ed.D., is Senior Director of Marketing, Communications, and Undergraduate Business and Associate Professor at National Louis University. She provides strategic leadership for undergraduate programs in business, marketing, communication, and media, and is the founding director of the university's Master of Science in Marketing and Communication. She also developed NLU's Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media, helping expand the university's academic offerings to meet the evolving needs of today's workforce.

Dr. Schaefer brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in marketing, communications, operations, and executive strategy across higher education, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. Prior to joining NLU, she held leadership positions in corporate marketing and communications, directed global internal communications and executive messaging for an international staffing organization, managed marketing for an association management company serving nonprofit organizations, and worked as a communications consultant in Paris. She earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studied at Albert Ludwig University in Freiburg, Germany, and taught business English in both Germany and Switzerland.

She is also the founder and publication director of Communications Quarterly, NLU's magazine showcasing student writing, journalism, photography, and design. Through the publication, she has mentored hundreds of student writers, editors, designers, and content creators while helping them build professional portfolios and connect with accomplished leaders across media, business, and the arts.

Dr. Schaefer regularly collaborates across the university on strategic communications, events, enrollment initiatives, curriculum innovation, and experiential learning opportunities. Her teaching and scholarship focus on marketing, communication, storytelling, leadership, and workforce development. She holds master's degrees in organizational psychology and written communication, and earned her Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership from National Louis University.

Dr. Toni Holden-McGee is an Assistant Professor for the Computer Science Department at National Louis University, FAB Lab STEM designer who volunteers at the Museum of Science and Industry and serves on the YWCA - Women in Tech Council in Evanston.

Dr. Toni holds a Doctoral degree in Information Technology with a specialization in Education Technology (Capella University), a Master of Science degree in Management Information Systems with a specialization in Digital Media (Governors State University), and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems and Management (National Louis University).

Dr. Toni’s career experience spans 25 years of working in the information science and education technology sectors for non-profit organizations and academia, sharing her passion with young and old about STEM programming and education technology research. She is best known for providing digital service programs and academic technical support strategies that will continue to inspire others never to stop learning!

Dr. Toni is passionate about encouraging and empowering others to create, make, and succeed in this ever-evolving technology life’s journey. She is excited about teaching at NLU and learning with our students and faculty! Her hobbies include traveling with her family and participating in group fitness activities, and outdoor adventures!

Dr. Ebony Wilkins is a Director and Associate Professor, of English and Humanities in the undergraduate college. Prior to joining NLU, Ebony taught English at City Colleges of Chicago and at an early childhood center in New York City. She has worked with students in preschool thru high school settings throughout her teaching career, and has previous experience as an education and police reporter for a daily newspaper, and is an author of several fiction and nonfiction books for children. Her education research centers on the intersection of race, African American children’s literature, and writing. Her writing focuses on highlighting historically marginalized voices.

She holds a Ph.D. in literacy, language, and culture from University of Illinois at Chicago, an M.S. in elementary education from Indiana-Purdue University at Indianapolis, an M.F.A. in creative writing from The New School and a B.A. in journalistic communications from Purdue University. When she’s not in the classroom, Ebony can be found reading a good book by Lake Michigan or writing one. She is a member of KidLit Authors of Color and Binders Mentoring Program for writers. She also enjoys traveling, playing tennis, practicing yoga, and spending time with family and friends.

Laura Robbins-Frank is the Founding Executive Director of Nursing.  Before coming to NLU to found the School of Nursing, Laura served as the Founding BSN Director of the pre-licensure nursing program at Loyola University New Orleans.  Laura also taught at several universities in the greater Chicagoland area including Loyola University Chicago, Aurora University, Chamberlain University and Lewis University.

Prior to academia Laura worked as a registered nurse in many pediatric and neonatal intensive care units in the Chicagoland area and as a Pediatric and Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing and a PhD in Nursing from Loyola University Chicago and a post master Neonatal Nurse Practitioner certificate from Rush University.

While a native Chicagoan, Laura thoroughly enjoyed her time in New Orleans experiencing the vibrant culture, food and music scenes and of course Mardi Gras!

Laura and her husband John love challenging back packing trips and most recently hiked rim to rim in the Grand Canyon.

Valerie Vistain currently serves as a Director and Assistant Professor, Social Science, Criminology, and Criminal Justice with the undergraduate college. Valerie earned her master's degree in history at the University of Iowa and specialized in African-American history and women's history. In the summer of 2016, Valerie completed a second master's degree in education at the University of Illinois at Chicago. There, she focused on urban education and became very involved in creating social justice based and culturally relevant curriculum. Valerie is continuing on in her academic endeavors and is currently working on a doctorate in education with a focus on higher-education leadership.

Valerie teaches a variety of classes, including history, political science, and sociology. She serves as a co-chair of the undergraduate college as well as the faculty sponsor for the social justice club at NLU.

Outside of the classroom, Valerie continues to advance her history knowledge by traveling to historical locations, attending reenactments, and immersing herself in museums. Her life is not solely dedicated to education and history, however. She is involved in activism in Chicago and participates in protest and actions all over the city.  She has also been known to frequent live shows, plays, and the occasional roller derby. Valerie is a huge fan of the outdoors and has camped and backpacked in many national parks. She also has a dog, Lucy, that fills her time with walks, dog beaches, and playing fetch.

Valerie Walker, MSW, LCSW, ACSW, is the Assistant Professor and Director of Social Work at the Undergraduate College. Valerie brings considerable experience in academia, non-profit leadership, clinical supervision, and community organizing to her present role. In her counseling, advocacy, and administrative roles, she has worked with people impacted by poverty, trauma, identity issues, and holistic health challenges.  With 30 years of direct service, teaching, and leadership experience, she is a valuable resource for student, staff, and organizational development.  Valerie is recognized for her consultation and training skills throughout organizations and colleges in the Midwest. She is a frequent facilitator and presenter for professional development, including trauma informed practice, racial and social justice, inclusive leadership, and strategic planning. Dedicated to her community, she offers her skills, experience, and leadership as a diversity dialogues facilitator, ‘safe church’ consultant, Mundelein-based special needs soccer program director, Board Officer for Mundelein STAND UP, and Advisory member for Camp Kupugani multicultural summer camp. Her most important work is parenting four spirited youth and adult children. 

Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and business administration from Northeastern Illinois University and an MSA from DePaul University. Laura is a CPA. 

She has numerous years teaching as an adjunct and later as full-time faculty, beginning her career as a faculty member in 1999. Laura has worked in taxes and auditing in addition to teaching.

John Frech is the outgoing program director of Kendall College's business program. Before accepting this role in February, 2017, John was an assistant professor in the business program where he specialized in teaching accounting, finance, economics, entrepreneurship and strategy courses. John began teaching full-time at Kendall in 2010.

Before Kendall, John worked in the banking industry in finance and accounting for over 30 years. His many roles included external auditing (he is a CPA) and internal auditing. He has been a CFO and a controller. He was a federal banking regulator, where he worked for the office of thrift supervision in the aftermath of the Savings & Loan crisis. And he worked in the division of bank supervision and regulation at the board of governors of the Federal Reserve, where he directed the development of accounting and auditing policy for U.S. banks. He has also worked for small banks and large international banks. John looks forward to his next assignment: program chair of the undergraduate business program within the undergraduate college at National Louis University.

Rob holds a B.S. (Management) as well as an MBA (Marketing) from Florida A&M University (School of Business and Industry) and has over seven years’ experience as both Professor and Director of the School of Business at Kendall College. Working for entertainment music publishing firms as well as the worlds largest medical technology company (Medtronic) Rob has over 9 years’ experience in marketing and product management. Rob’s true passion is entrepreneurship as he has helped several students start businesses and is also part of a family-owned enterprise (Marysville Toyota and Lexus of Mishawaka). A member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Upsilon Psi chapter (Florida A&M University) Rob is very active in community service and youth education around Chicago. Rob also regularly volunteers with 1

Jamie Turner is an Assistant Professor of Career Development at National Louis University. In her role in the Undergraduate College she works with students to ensure they  possess the professional tools that are required to  attain career accelerating internships and strong careers. Through course instruction, she assists students in preparing for professional opportunities, navigating their career paths, and empowering them with the career skills they will need to compete and excel in a global workforce.

Jamie is an accomplished educator and workforce development professional with extensive expertise in higher education, talent acquisition, client training and development. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Governors State University, and went on to attain a Master’s  degree in Organizational Leadership from Lewis University. She comes to NLU with over 10 years of direct classroom instruction and a strong background in development and assessment of career curriculum.

In her free time, Jamie enjoys being in the gym supporting and mentoring young athletes and spending time with family and friends. 

Theodore Barnes is a full-time Assistant Professor at National Louis University's Career Development at the undergraduate college and holds adjunct faculty positions at various other universities in Chicago. An education researcher and educational scholar pursuing a Ph.D. at Loyola University of Chicago's School of Education. Theodore brings over 14 years of interdisciplinary expertise in higher education; his teaching and research focus on educational systems, policies, pedagogies, and how they intersect and shape one's understanding of social justice and equity in higher education.

A Chicago native, Theodore's educational journey has been shaped by the city's vibrant yet challenging environment. As a first-generation college student and an adoptee, he's experienced firsthand the impact of systemic inequalities. This background fuels his dedication to breaking down barriers and advocating for accessible and inclusive education. Theodore aims to create a more equitable educational landscape and empower individuals to reach their full potential. Outside of academia, he's family-oriented and enjoys travel, culinary exploration, exercise, reading, and spending time with his three dogs.

Parker Voshall, a seasoned communications professional, now serves as an Assistant Professor of Communications, Media, and Marketing at National Louis University. He earned his B.S. in English Professional Studies and Communications from Kuyper College and holds an M.A. in Sociolinguistics from the University of Essex.

Parker's academic journey includes a visiting studentship at the University of Oxford, and a teaching practice fellowship with Lumen Learning. He's currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Leadership at National Louis University, exploring equitable grading practices through his dissertation, "Fostering Equitable Rigor through Unlimited Assignment Resubmissions."

With over a decade of communications and marketing experience, his research centers on social media's influence on language, communications, identity, and relationships, with an emphasis on communities of practice. His work on resubmissions extends beyond individual students, examining their impact on classroom communities and academic cohorts.

Programs/Classes Taught:

COM105: Introduction to Communication: Storytelling
COM200: The Influence of Culture on Communication
COM204: Multigenerational Workforce Communication
MES104: Evolution of Mass Media
MES205: Social Media Networking    
MES207: Contemporary Media Communications    
MES310: Sound Essentials: Podcasting
MES410: Video Essentials: Short Film
MKT310: Branding and Content Creation
MKT316: Event Marketing
MKT405: Digital Marketing and Advertising

Dr. Abdullah Alshboul teaches in the departments of Computer Science and Information Systems. He has served in higher education since 2008. Dr. Alshboul taught undergraduate, MBA, and DBA courses for Argosy University, Robert Morris, Concordia University, DeVry, and Keller Institute. He also has experience supervising doctoral students as a dissertation chair and a dissertation reader.

Dr. Alshboul earned his Doctorate in Business Administration in Information Systems from Argosy University/Chicago, Master of Science in Computer Science from Northeastern Illinois University/Chicago, and Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering-Telecommunications from University of Pristine, Yugoslavia. 

Dr. Alshboul was co-founder and acting VP of a startup company (USS). This company specialized in liquidations business and trading between the United States and other foreign countries. He has experience working as a Network Engineer for UPS and also a Data Maintenance Manager for SBC Communications (AT&T) where he managed the relationships between SBC and its clients. Additionally, Dr. Alshboul worked as a team leader for AIMS Wireless Solutions.

Dr. Alshboul has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals. Research areas include social media, electronic and mobile commerce, knowledge management, business intelligence and customer behavior, strategic management, and supply chain management. He is also an active member of various groups including the Information Systems Security Association, Association for Computing Machinery, and American Management Association.

Dr. Tovar is the assistant professor of computer sciences and information systems at National Louis University. Dr. Tovar is also an information technology strategist with substantial experience in corporate information solutions and methodologies. He has been involved in all aspects of systems administration, management and maintenance, network/server operations, network engineering/design, network administration, and management in the field of data and voice networks for over 25 years. He also has an extensive academic background in management, leadership, and information technology. He has been involved in instruction of management and technology subjects for over 15 years at different institutions.

Dr. Tovar has been heavily involved in the business world as an executive of various organizations throughout his career including global non-for-profit, service, manufacturing, and healthcare organizations.

Lauren Anderson is the Assistant Professor of Developmental Education for the Undergraduate College. In her role at National Louis, she will help students gain the academic language needed to thrive in college. She is excited to join a team that is focused on offering access and equity in higher education.

Lauren recently returned from a year in Riga, Latvia where she served as the English Language Fellow for the U.S. State Department. Previously, she taught ABE English and Spanish at Fox Valley Technical College in Wisconsin and trained teachers at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Her career began in K-12 teaching as a classroom teacher in Spanish immersion classroom and has also included working as an instructional coach. She earned her Master’s in Education in Second Language Acquisition from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Outside of work, Lauren spends time with her family which includes her husband and three kids. She spends as much time outdoors as possible. As a fan of the arts, she welcomes and takes into serious consideration all recommendations for books, movies, shows, music, food and art. 

Keisha Rembert is the Interim Associate Dean for Educator Preparation in the Undergraduate College at National Louis University. She began her career in education as a middle school English Language Arts and U.S. History teacher in the Chicagoland area, where she spent more than 18 years helping students develop as critical thinkers, readers, writers and engaged citizens. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to educational equity, culturally responsive teaching and creating learning experiences that honor the strengths and identities of all students.

Before moving into higher education leadership, Keisha served in a variety of instructional and leadership roles. Her work has focused on preparing transformative educators who cultivate belonging, academic excellence, and meaningful partnerships with students, families and communities.

Keisha is an award winning educator, author, speaker and advocate. Her leadership extends beyond the classroom through service with numerous local and national organizations. She was appointed by Governor J.B. Pritzker to the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission and has served in leadership roles with NCTE, the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents (ALAN), the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and the National Humanities Center.
As a scholar and practitioner, Keisha’s work explores equity, antiracism, culturally responsive education, anti-Blackness and the preparation of future educators. 

She is the author of The Antiracist English Language Arts Classroom and has contributed chapters to several award-winning and practitioner-focused publications. Her work has also included collaboration with the Illinois State Board of Education on the development of the Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards.

Keisha holds a B.A. in English (Boston College), M.A. in Education (Chicago State University) and is currently pursuing doctoral studies focused on educational practice and community-centered approaches to teaching and learning (National Louis University). 

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, writing, reading, exploring new restaurants with her husband and spending time with her three adult children, family and friends.

Dr. Connor See is the Chair and Assistant Professor of Special Education in the Undergraduate College at National Louis University (NLU). He leads the BA in Special Education (Traditional Program), BA in Special Education (Residency Program), and Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS1) Endorsement Program, overseeing curriculum development, program innovation, faculty collaboration, and partnerships with school districts to prepare highly qualified special educators.

Dr. See is committed to strengthening educator preparation through inclusive practices, evidence-based instruction, and meaningful field experiences. His work focuses on expanding access to the teaching profession, particularly in special education, where teacher shortages continue to impact schools nationwide. He has played a key role in developing innovative programs and partnerships that support residency-based teacher preparation and strengthen connections between universities and local school districts.

He earned his Doctor of Education degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. His dissertation, The Gendered Leadership Experiences of Female Principals: A Qualitative Study, explored how gender influences leadership experiences, opportunities, and retention among women serving in school leadership roles. His broader research interests include educational leadership, educator preparation, and inclusive educational systems.

Across his work in teaching, research, and program leadership, Dr. See remains dedicated to preparing future educators, fostering strong school-university partnerships, and ensuring that all learners have access to high-quality educational opportunities.

Kamilah Wilson is an assistant professor and the project manager of the ECE competency project. Kamilah is dedicated to the field of early childhood education and preparing future leaders in the field with her experience of over 25 years of working with children and families from birth to the age of five. Her educational background began at Illinois State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Family Consumer Sciences. Later in her educational career, she received a Master’s of Science in Child Development from Erikson Institute and her Ed.S. In Early Childhood Education from Northcentral University. She considers herself a life-long learner and enjoys keeping herself updated with the most current news in the field. Currently, she is enrolled at Capella University for her Master’s in Higher Education program with a Specialization in Adult Education

Dr. Joao Goebel is a multilingual, multicultural Brazilian-American educator and researcher who has also served as a Co-Director of the Fulbright-Hays Study Abroad Program “Cultural and Linguistic Restoration” in partnership with CEPE-UNAM. As an Associate Professor and Chair of ESL/Bilingual Education at National Louis University, his work centers on bilingual education, translanguaging, and leadership practices that elevate multilingualism as a resource for equity.

Through his research and leadership, Dr. Goebel supports educators and leaders in developing linguistically responsive approaches that honor students’ identities and languages, fostering more inclusive and culturally and linguistically sustaining learning environments.

Wendy Mendez is an Assistant Professor and Department Chair of Middle Grades and Secondary Education. Wendy is a bilingual, bicultural, and biliterate educator with over twenty years of experience. She has spent most of that time working in Chicago with middle school and secondary students. Her experience includes positions as Assistant Principal, Instructional Coach, and Reading and Language Arts Teacher. As Assistant Principal, she led several initiatives, planned and implemented Professional Learning Communities, and worked closely with teachers on curriculum and data analysis. She has also held the Instructional Coach role and worked closely with teachers to develop and model differentiated lesson plans and units. Earlier in her career, she taught Reading and Language Arts. 

Wendy earned a B.A. in Secondary Education with a Middle School Endorsement from the University of Illinois at Chicago and later pursued an M.A. in Reading from Northeastern Illinois University. In 2022, she completed an Ed.S degree in Curriculum and Instruction at National Louis University, specializing in ESL, Bilingual Education, and LBS1. Wendy is an Educational Leadership Doctoral Degree Candidate at National Louis University, researching the role of language in Hispanic Serving Institutions.

In her spare time, Wendy enjoys listening to audiobooks, binge-watching shows, and scrolling through Instagram. However, her all-time favorite thing to do is to spend time with her family sightseeing, visiting new states, and collecting postcards from places she has visited.

Jolene Taylor currently works as the assistant professor of infant todddler studies and education in the undergraduate college at NLU’s Chicago campus, teaching courses in the early childhood education and early childhood practice majors. She is also serving as the undergraduate infant-toddler studies coordinator. Jolene obtained her M.S. in early childhood administration from NLU in 2009, her B.S. in information systems from DePaul University in 2005 and infant-toddler credential in 2013.

Jolene has been immersed in the field of early childhood education for over 10 years and her passion and commitment to the field grows stronger every year. Jolene has had the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles in the field which include; college advisor, early childhood mentor/coach, assessor, professional development advisor/specialist, state-wide trainer, program director, infant-toddler teacher, and infant-toddler specialist. Jolene has worked with multiple community colleges as an adjunct faculty member teaching early childhood education courses. Jolene developed a deep love, focus and niche for one of the most vulnerable age groups in the field, infants and toddlers. She believes in providing infants and toddlers with a quality environment and experience with teachers.

She takes great joy in collaborating and engaging with students in the higher-ed community and providing them with an environment that is conducive to their success.

Jolene is a South Side of Chicago native and enjoys all things craft, movement through ministry, movies, reading, traveling, concerts, journaling, empowering others, mentoring young adults, and spending time with friends and family.

Alicia Meno, PhD, LPC serves as Academic Director for ECE Competency-Based Programming and Associate Professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education at National Louis University. 

She earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum Studies from DePaul University (2003), holds a M.A. in Bilingual & Multicultural Education from Columbia College (1997). a M.S in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from National Louis University (2025), and a B.A. in Elementary Education from Michigan State University (1993). She is the author of Professional Development Reform (2008).

As a leader in Competency-based education, Dr. Alicia Meno, brings a wealth of knowledge, including her passion for empowering multilingual populations and advocating for equity. Dr. Meno’s areas of expertise include: Competency-based Education, Online Learning Programs, Early Childhood, International Education, Bilingual, ESL & Multicultural Education, Curriculum Design, Teacher Preparation, Teacher Professional Development and Mental Health.

Thera Tilmon is the Assistant professor of ECE/ELE Literacy. She came to NLU after 10 years of teaching at the elementary level, where she brought a love for culturally sustaining instruction that integrated joy, collaboration, and inquiry. Her objective as an Assistant Professor is to continue her passion for joyful instruction as she prepares and empowers future educators for the extraordinary task of teaching.

Thera earned her Doctor of Education degree at NLU in the Curriculum, Advocacy, and Policy program. She earned a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction/Reading and a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix.  Thera also served as an Undergraduate Field Coach working with teacher candidates here at NLU.

When not working, Thera can be found tending her vegetable garden, taking her dog on a walk in the forest preserve, or cuddling up with a good mystery novel.  Her adult daughter lives nearby and often shares a meal and joyful conversation.

Shawntay King is the Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education, based in Chicago. Her experience in early care and education extends over 20 years, working within various models which includes profit and non-for-profit organizations, Head Start, State Funded Pre-Kindergarten, Private Preschool, and Early Intervention.  She earned her B.A. in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Infant/Toddler Development from Kendall College and a M.S. from Erikson Institute where she majored in Child Development. For the past three years, she has taught Infant/Toddler and Early Childhood courses for City Colleges of Chicago while also working as an Education Director for a Preschool Program. 

One of Shawntay’s greatest accomplishments is her family! She has been with her partner for 24 years and they have three wonderful children, Nia, Naomi, Noah, and their cat, Kerri.  She is a basketball and band mom so you will always find her in the stands. In her spare time when she is not attending games or music events, she enjoys spending time outdoors, watching scary movies, reading, and traveling with her family and friends.

Alejandra Sandoval Martínez serves as an undergraduate teacher development coach. Prior to joining the Office of Teacher Development, she advised graduate and undergraduate students who are first-generation, low-income, and/or students with disabilities. Before that, she was a Chicago Public School (CPS) bilingual educator. She is passionate about advocating for students of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Specifically, her work has been rooted in dismantling educational inequities and bridging opportunity gaps for BIPOC students. She is the proud daughter of immigrant parents and identifies as a first-generation Latina. She attended the University of Iowa where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Spanish, and Human Rights Advocacy. She also earned a Masters in Teaching at Dominican University. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, traveling, playing fútbol, weightlifting, and Boba. Fun fact: She considers herself Bad Bunny’s number-one fan.

Jordy Lucas is the Associate Director of Curriculum, Assessment, and Accreditation. In her role at National Louis, she will help students develop an understanding of content-specific pedagogy to use in their future classrooms. She is excited to join a team that is focused on empowering future teachers to be educational leaders.

With her background primarily in Mathematics and Science education, Jordy has taught in a variety of rural and virtual settings.  Her career began with teaching preschool during college. Jordy has led trainings for her districts to improve the use of educational technology and increase accessibility for students. She earned her Master’s in Educational Leadership from Eastern Illinois University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from McKendree University. 

Outside of work, Jordy spends time with her family which includes her husband and cat. She loves to read and watch movies or musicals.

Jacki has been a bilingual educator in IL for 20 years, with experience teaching ESL, Bilingual, and Dual Language in all grades K-8.  She has also worked as a Bilingual Parent Liaison, Program Director for Multilingual Services and MTSS, Multilingual Coordinator, and Multilingual Instructional Coach.  Outside of K-12 education, Jacki has taught ESL/Bilingual endorsement courses at the graduate level for Aurora University for three years and is beginning the dissertation phase of her doctorate in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership from University of Illinois.  Jacki enjoys spending time with her husband and three children on their small farm in Woodstock and traveling to their property in Spain every summer.

Nathalis Mosqueda is the Early Childhood Competency-Based Student Success Coordinator. Nathalis has been in the early childhood field for over 15 years; her expertise is in coaching and mentoring teachers. Nathalis holds an M.Ed in Early Childhood Education from Northcentral University. As the student success coordinator, she will support students in the program and ensure high engagement, persistence, and retention levels. 

Outside of work, Nathalis spends time with her husband and daughters in her spare time. When she can, she crafts away, making wreaths and event decorations.  

Dr. Michael L. Williams, affectionally referred to as “Dr. Mike,” is an assistant professor at the undergraduate college at National Louis University in Education. Dr. Mike has invested his career in educating students of color through teaching and mentoring. Before a host of positions in higher education, including Coordinator/Director of Pre-serving teaching programs, he taught in the Chicago Public Schools in every grade level from K-12. He was also a science academic coach and science department chair. He was an adjunct instructor in several local colleges and universities, Upward Bound programs, and informal teaching settings, such as Brookfield Zoo and The Field Museum.

Dr. Mike earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Chicago State University and a Master of Science degree in education with an emphasis in special education. He earned a Doctorate in organizational leadership in education from Concordia University.

Dr. Mike is passionate about science and promoting STEM education, particularly for African Americans, Hispanics, and women. His scholarly research, "How Out of School Time Programs at Field-Based Science Institutions Impact STEM Pathway Choices: Urban Minority Youth and Underrepresented STEM Fields,” was based on these principles. He has recently been researching the reluctance of African American males and teacher education.

He enjoys nature, animals, zoos, and museums in his spare time. He also loves spending time with his grandchildren.

Susan Schulhof is an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education. She has been working in the Early Childhood Education field since 2001 with previous experience in Elementary Education and Social Work. In addition to teaching and leading others, she was an Assessor and Training Specialist. Susan has facilitated various educational trainings with Bright Horizons, McCormick Institute for Early Childhood, Opening Minds, and GoAEYC conferences, and loves to encourage others to learn and grow.

I have a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education and Bilingual/ESL endorsements.I started at NLU in January 2025. I began my career at NLU as an adjunct professor and field experience supervisor. Now, I am an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education. Working with NLU has been a great experience. Prior to NLU, I spent the last 15 years working in a variety of educational settings from birth to grade 2. I started my career working in various childcare centers. Two year olds are my absolute favorite people, but second grade was my favorite grade. I worked in public school, private school, in the USA and abroad.

I am the new Teacher Development Coach in the UGC-ED.  I am happy to work with the Office of Teacher Development, bringing 23 years experience in the education field.  I have served as an elementary teacher, middle school and high school teacher, elementary school principal, and high school instructional coordinator.  Most recently, I have worked at Prairie State College in the Adult & Community Education program as an instructor for the Opportunity Works Career Readiness cohorts and Industrial Math certification program.

If you cut me, I will bleed maize & blue, as a proud alumnae of the University of Michigan with a BA in Elementary Education.  I completed my MA in School Leadership at Concordia University-Chicago and am currently pursuing my doctorate in School Leadership at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI.  My passion is for enthusiastic and relevant learning in positive school climates for students and Staff, and I enjoy working with teachers to develop them into satisfied, effective, and successful educators.  All of my educational pursuits are for this purpose!

Free time?  I’m not sure what that is, but when I do experience this ephemeral concept, I do enjoy walks outdoors, gardening and tending to my houseplants, and attempting to learn to dance.  I love spending time with family, and anything that provides an opportunity to laugh heartily has a great place in my heart.   

Diane Gillette (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of English in the Undergraduate College. She began teaching at NLU as an adjunct in 2019 before joining the team full-time in 2023. In addition to teaching English courses, she also leads the Creative Writing Community at NLU, which provides support and space for students, faculty, and staff interested in any form of creative writing.

She earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College and an MAT in Elementary Education from the University of Chicago. Throughout her teaching career, she has worked with students from pre-K up to adult education. When she's not teaching, she's usually either reading a good book, making art, or cooking. She writes short fiction, specializing in flash fiction, and regularly publishes her work in literary magazines.

Dr. Karin Steinbrueck is associate professor of practice in the English and Humanities Department in the undergraduate college. She primarily teaches history and humanities courses on the Chicago and Wheeling campuses and online.  She holds a Ph.D. in modern European history from Northwestern University, specializing in Eastern and Central Europe and the former Soviet Union, with a minor in Ottoman and Turkish studies. Her research interests include totalitarian systems, dictatorships, and the political (secret) police in Communist regimes.  Her first book, Disaster Response by Ceausescu's Communist Regime in Romania: The 1977 Earthquake, investigates one authoritarian government's response to disaster.  

Karin has worked as a program evaluator and photojournalist, and was a Peace Corps volunteer in Moldova and a Fulbright scholar in Romania. She has served in shared governance at NLU and is in her second term on the Midwest World History Association's Executive Board.  Outside of NLU you can find her captaining her tennis team or running her daily mile+ to support her running streak started on January 1, 2022.  She lives in Evanston with her husband and two children.

Mylo Parker-Emerson is an Assistant Professor of Humanities, primarily teaching philosophy courses at NLU. Previously, Mylo worked as a Success Coach at NLU and worked with students to provide direct academic advising. Before his work with NLU, he worked with several Chicago Public Schools doing college access work, supporting students with their reading and writing skills and teaching after school AP preparation sessions. 

Mylo has always been very passionate about working in education, both teaching and advising. He completed his undergraduate degree in 2019 in philosophy at the College of Wooster and his master's degree in Cultural and Educational Policy Studies with a focus in philosophy and education from Loyola University Chicago in 2023. From the College of Wooster, Mylo was recently selected as one of the "Scots under 10;" an award recognizing recent alumni who are emerging leaders in their field and community. Mylo has also been published twice in the Philosophy of Education Society Journal. In his spare time, Mylo likes to try new restaurants, go to museums, and play basketball and tennis.

Noelle Garcia is the Assistant Professor of Humanities and Fine Arts, based in Chicago. She has worked in varying roles in arts education for over 11 years. Prior to working at NLU, Noelle worked at Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education where she specialized in training artists and Chicago Public School teachers on designing collaborative arts integrated curriculum. 

Noelle obtained her B.F.A. from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she received the Emily Hesemeyer Award as well as the Barna Memorial Award during her residency at the Ox-bow School of Art. Noelle obtained her M.F.A. from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas during which she was awarded the Elizabeth Furber Fellowship as well as the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian Emerging Artist Fellowship.

Noelle also maintains a professional studio art practice that focuses on themes of identity, family history, and recovered narratives. She is an indigenous artist from the Klamath and Paiute tribes from Oregon and Nevada. Her multidisciplinary practice utilizes various research methods in order to inform her methodology in both art making and education.

Rachel Waymel currently serves as an assistant professor of English with the undergraduate college and is primarily based at the Wheeling campus. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from St. Norbert College, a master’s degree in English literature from Ohio University, and did additional graduate work in English literature at The Ohio State University. Her teaching and research interests include teaching writing and composition to multilingual/multidialectal students, teaching first-generation college students, and teaching business/professional writing. When not teaching, she enjoys gardening, reading, board games, and spending time with her husband and cat.

Elizabeth Teahan Scola is an associate professor of English and Humanities in the undergraduate college at National Louis University, where she primarily teaches English minor and general education courses. She holds a B.A. in English with a concentration in creative writing from DePaul University, and she was also the first to graduate from their M.A. in writing and publishing program. She is passionate about creating accessible, high-impact learning experiences for all students, and she has a unique interest in global learning. She spearheaded the creation of NLU's first global learning program in 2024 and currently serves as the program coordinator. In her spare time, she explores her interest in dance by teaching and coaching youth teams.

Zainab Karim is an assistant professor of English at National Louis University’s Chicago campus, where she specializes in curriculum development, critical literacy, and foundational writing program design. She teaches coursework in composition, literary criticism, literature, and public speaking, while also serving as a faculty advisor for the Student Advisory Council.

A dual-degree alumna of NLU, Zainab holds a Master of Science in Written Communication (with a focus on Journalism and Creative Nonfiction) and a Master of Arts in Psychology. Her research and instructional design interests include Black feminist theory, affect theory, and literacy as a tool for critical thinking. Bringing deep editorial judgment from her background in journalism, her freelance writing has been featured on Ebony.com, Jet.com, and The Huffington Post. She began her academic career teaching children's literature at the College of Lake County.

Coming soon...

Hadea Hummeid is the Department Chair of Mathematics and Associate Teaching Professor of Mathematics at National Louis University. She is passionate about mathematics education and creating meaningful learning experiences for students. Her work focuses on supporting innovative teaching practices, improving student success, and collaborating with faculty on curriculum development and student support initiatives.

Hadea holds a Master of Science in Mathematics Education and a Bachelor of Science in Pure Mathematics with a minor in Chemistry. She has over ten years of teaching experience and has taught a variety of mathematics courses, from Pre-Algebra to Pre-Calculus, including Statistics and Business Calculus.

Outside of work, Hadea enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. Together, they love hiking, camping, exploring new places, and experiencing different cultures.

Aaron Moring (Aaron Moring-D'Angier) is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at NLU. He is the course owner for Math 105 and 115, as well as 101 Honors and 102 Honors. Aaron has a Master’s Degree in Mathematics with an Education focus and has done extensive work using the Project-Based Learning Model and utiziling games in the classroom.

Aaron has taught for over two decades, working with students from Kindergarten through Undergraduate level. Most of the courses he taught were in the STEAM realm, but he is known to delve into other topics such as math literature, space exploration, puppetry, and game design.

Aaron is a Science Ambassador Fellow with the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) class of 2020, a Teacher Advocacy Fellow with TeachPlus Illinois class of 2024, and is a co-founder of the arts/education not for profit group T2D2 Toys. He is married, has a hairless cat, and can be found biking around Chicago.

Anthony Cappetta is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education. He earned his B.A from Northern Illinois University (NIU) in Secondary Math Education, his M.Ed. from University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in Instructional Leadership, and is currently pursuing an M.S. in Business Data Analytics (BDA) at National Louis University (NLU).

Prior to joining NLU, Anthony taught middle and high school math for 10+ years in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and was an active member of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). He has a deep passion for math, statistics, and continuous learning, and takes pride in keeping his workspaces, whether a classroom or office, highly organized (even Marie Kondo would be impressed!). His current enrollment in the BDA program at NLU has allowed him to sharpen his skills in data entry, analysis, and communication to provide actionable pedagogical and organizational insights.

When not working, Anthony enjoys taking his dog, Ramsey, for walks, playing board games, bowling, and exploring the city on his bike.

Ben is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics and has been teaching for over 20 years in various fields: sciences, mathematics and computer programming. He is passionate about transforming higher education to be more aligned with what students need in an ever-evolving world. He loves collaboration and working with colleagues on thorny issues. He feels blessed to have found his true vocation (teaching) at an early age (23!). He has two masters degrees – M.Sci in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and an M.Ed. from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and a Diplôme De Cuisine from the Ecole Supériere de Cuisine Française in Paris, France. Outside of work you will find him hanging out with his family, cooking up a storm, working on his house or, if possible, playing games with friends.

Bryan Manalo, is a nursing educator and healthcare leader with over 20 years of healthcare experience. His professional background spans pediatric, ambulatory, oncology, and academic nursing, with expertise in clinical operations, quality improvement, patient experience, and team development.

Prior to joining National Louis University, Bryan served in nursing leadership roles at major academic medical centers in the Chicago area, where he led multidisciplinary teams, supported operational initiatives, and partnered with clinical staff to improve patient care delivery. Throughout his career, he has been committed to fostering collaborative work environments and mentoring nurses at all stages of professional development.

At National Louis University, Bryan teaches undergraduate nursing students in both classroom and clinical settings. He is passionate about helping future nurses develop critical thinking skills, clinical judgment, professionalism, and confidence as they transition into practice. His teaching philosophy emphasizes creating supportive learning environments that challenge students to grow while maintaining a strong focus on patient-centered care.

Bryan earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Valparaiso University and a Master of Business Administration at National Louis University. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Transformative Leadership: Systems at Rush University. He is also a Certified Pediatric Nurse, a 2023 fellow of the Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders Nurse Leader Fellowship Program, and a 2023 Global Academy Scholar of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

His professional interests include nursing leadership, healthcare operations, workforce development, quality improvement, mentorship, and advancing excellence in nursing education.

Jennifer Budruweit, MA, LCPC, CFTP serves as an Assistant Professor and Department Chair of Psychology, based at the Chicago campus. Jennifer earned a Master’s of Arts degree in Community Counseling from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology as a member of Chi Sigma Iota, and a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in psychology with a minor in Communications.

Jennifer has been an adjunct professor of psychology and subject matter expert for the redevelopment of several courses at National Louis. In addition to her work at NLU, Jennifer is the Founder and Executive Director at Life Balance Counseling and has offices in various suburbs of Chicago helping children, teens, adults, couples, and families with various mental health challenges. Jennifer specializes in anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma and utilizes person-centered, cognitive behavioral therapy, and brainspotting modalities to help her clients heal and become the best versions of themselves.

Prior to working at NLU, Jennifer was a Curriculum Support Specialist for an Evidence-Based Practice Research Program at National University of Health Sciences and a  Research Specialist for an at-risk youth mentoring intervention program at the Institute for Health Research and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Jennifer looks forward to continuing to build connections and support students in their journey to achieve academic and career success. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband, two boys, and dogs by the lake, swimming, fishing, playing soccer, and being in nature.

Gary DeLeonardis is an assistant professor of psychology in the Undergraduate College. Gary received his Master of Arts in clinical psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from DePaul University where he studied communication, applied psychology, and community service studies.

Prior to working at NLU, Gary has held various administrative roles at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Gary’s clinical background is in college student mental where he provided psychotherapy to students at Governors State University and Lewis University. He also focused on providing alcohol and other drug prevention education to the campus community and at-risk populations at Lewis. Currently as a private practice clinician, Gary specializes in the treatment of family of origin issues, trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Through a psychodynamic approach, Gary supports the healing and growth of emerging adults, college students, working professionals, people of color, and the LGBT community.

Gary is enthusiastic about supporting the education and professional development of future mental health professionals through mentorship and supervision.

Outside of work, Gary tends to self-care through playing guitar, gaming, exercise, mindfulness practice, a good Netflix binge, and spending time with friends, family, his wife, and two cats.

Shanese is a native of the southside of Chicago, Illinois. Shanese has served as a Psychology Professor at NLU since 2019. She completed her master’s degree in clinical professional counseling psychology at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois. She has over 21 years of clinical experience, and 17 years of teaching undergraduate and graduate students. Shanese is invested in an approach emphasizing a more integrative, dynamic, and holistic approach to mental health. Intertwining both education and clinical expertise, Shanese is also a Trauma informed consultant for personal business entities, schools, and faith-based organizations. Shanese is the CEO, Founder, and President of Destyned 4 Gr8tness, an up-and-coming NFP community-based organization with an upheld mission to mentoring, anti-bullying, tutoring, self-enhancement, & self-empowerment designed to support, assist, and help children, adolescents, and young adults between the ages 2 and up to discover and reach their highest potential mentally, spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially. 

However, her sole passions are Cooking, teaching, research, reading, writing, inspiring, and motivating others. She is a visionary and believes that Dreams Do Come True…

Orinna currently serves as the science department chair for the undergraduate college at National Louis University. Her academic background includes designing and implementing action research for her Ed.D. program in higher education that focused on teaching science to non-science majors. She also holds two master’s degrees from the University of South Carolina: one in biology with a marine science focus, and an M.A.T. in teaching biology.

Orinna developed her love for marine science during her marine biology bachelor’s program at Long Island University, Southampton. She would spend as much time as she could on their oceanographic vessel doing fieldwork. But, it wouldn’t be until she started teaching in South Carolina that she really knew what she wanted to devote her life to. She has been teaching at the college level ever since then, for over 20 years.

Orinna’s greatest passion in the world is teaching science to new and diverse audiences. She has a strong STEM/STEAM background and has designed science courses and programs that cater to the specific needs of non-science majors. She has also edited/written specialized science textbooks. She believes in collaborating with her students and prides herself on creating a classroom space that is engaging, open-minded, fun, productive, and dedicated to active learning.

When she is not teaching or improving her craft, Orinna is working on her book entitled The Evolution of Science Instruction in Higher Education. She also tutors students in the Chicago area, is the sponsor of the NLU science club, is an active member of NSTA, and enjoys volunteering at neighborhood shelters. In her spare time, Orinna also enjoys nature photography, scuba diving, traveling, cooking, and watching classic science fiction films.

Dr. Ian Moncrief is an Associate Teaching Professor of science in the undergraduate college at National Louis University. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, M.S. in Entomology and Plant Pathology, and a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology. His research focused on applying microbial forensics techniques to investigate an outbreak of salmon blotch in onion fields, caused by the fungal pathogen, Fusarium proliferatum. 

Dr. Moncrief is a passionate educator with a goal to bring science to the masses. He is involved in open science initiatives at NLU. He is the Principal Investigator for a NASA grant that provides educational opportunities to anyone who would like to be a part of the open science community. He has designed science courses with an emphasis on culturally responsive pedagogy to ensure that all students at NLU can thrive in an inclusive learning environment. His teaching portfolio includes physical science, biology, and environmental biology with lab. He is also involved in faculty governance and has served on various UGC and senate committees, as well as faculty senator, senate chair, and UGC college chair. 

Aside from teaching, his other interests include spending time with his family, eating delicious food, traveling, watching movies, and attending the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Cubs games.

Roy Kaelin is currently a member of full-time faculty at National Louis University (NLU) in its undergraduate college. At present, he teaches courses in career development and science for undergraduate students, and, science courses for adult-transfer students. At NLU and other institutions, he has also presented courses in geology, ecology, physical science, and astronomy. Prior to joining the adjunct faculty at NLU, Roy served as manager of astronomy education at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and held science seminars at Case Western Reserve University.

He graduated from the University at Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor of science in geology and from Iowa State University with a master’s degree in business administrative science (viz., logistics). He also received additional credentialing in integrative sciences from the American College of Education.

At NLU, he serves currently as chair of the faculty development committee for the faculty senate, and, has served previously as a senator for the adjunct council. He is a peer reviewer for quality matters, a current member of the Adult Higher Education Alliance, and a long-time member of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers.

In his spare time, Roy is an avid reader, photographs wildlife, draws portraits in pencil, and has crafted several astronomical telescopes for viewing the night sky; his most recently built telescope affords a comfortable night-sky view for those observers confined to wheelchairs. Over the years, he has written science articles, a book of science-fiction short stories, and a book on unique telescope designs. Also, he spends time baking a variety of goods, particularly artisan breads and specialty desserts.

Douglas McCoy serves as an assistant professor of social sciences and is the sociology content lead in the undergraduate college. Doug completed his undergraduate and graduate work in sociology at Illinois State University (ISU). Doug completed his doctorate degree in higher education leadership at Northern Illinois University. The focus of his doctoral research was instructional technologies, distance learning and virtual universities. 

Doug began his career in higher education working in residence life and student affairs at Illinois State University. He then spent four years as the assistant dean of students at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois before moving to Waubonsee Community College (WCC) in Sugar Grove, Illinois. At WCC he worked in a number of administrative roles including the associate dean of social & behavior sciences and the dean of enrollment management.  

More recently, Doug was a core faculty member and residency lead for the school of education at Capella University. In this role, Doug managed the Ph.D. residency & research faculty for all of the Ph.D. programs within the school of education.

Over the course of the past twenty years, Doug has taught sociology part-time at a number of different institutions including: the College of DuPage, Illinois State University, Waubonsee Community College, and DeVry University. Doug lives in the western suburbs with his wife Trish and their three boys. Doug is an avid scuba diver and enjoys diving in warm waters around the world with his boys. Doug enjoys restoring classic cars and recently completed a frame off restoration of a 1985 Jeep CJ-7. Doug is active in his community and has been active on a number of boards including Two Rivers Head Start Community Action Agency. Doug served as the board chair for Two Rivers for over a decade. Finally, Doug loves baseball! He is the board president for the Fox Valley Freedom Travel Baseball Association which is one of the largest independent travel baseball organizations in Illinois. Doug loves fitness, running and is addicted to hot yoga.

Neal Jack is a full-time faculty member in the criminal justice program. He began his career at NLU as an adjunct instructor in the criminal justice program.

Prior to beginning his career at NLU, Neal was a Chicago police officer for over 37 years. Almost all of his last 26 years were spent conducting or supervising investigations in forensics, narcotics, or the detective division.

Neal and his wife Joann have three grown children and three young grandchildren, all of whom currently live in the area.

Neal is a graduate of Weber High School in Chicago (now closed), University of Illinois Chicago Circle (before they dropped the second C) with a B.S. in physical education, and Lewis University with an M.S. in social and criminal justice.

Neal’s teaching experiences include: substitute teacher for CPS, guest instructor at the Chicago Police Academy, instructor for Harold Washington City College, and instructor for Truman City College. His most interesting experience was working as an instructor of Albanian police officers for a program under the Department of Justice.

He regards the opportunity to be a small part of educational staff at NLU to be a distinct honor which carries immense responsibilities.

Magda Giurcanu is an Assistant Professor of the Social Sciences and Humanities in the Undergraduate College. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Florida and a Master of Arts in International Relations and History from the University of Bucharest. After her doctoral studies, she spent two years at Charles University in Prague in a postdoctoral position. 

Magda has over a decade of experience in higher education, having worked in the US and abroad, teaching and researching democratization, party system development, and electoral behavior. Regionally, Magda’s research focuses on Europe, although a distinct stream investigates how deep societal structures shape the public’s preferences in the US. She has published extensively on these topics, and you can access her work through Google Scholar or her ORCID ID. 

At National Louis University, she works with students on questions related to the US democratic process and strives to engage students in civic engagement and build a more robust democracy. Magda is very active in organizing experiential learning opportunities outside the classroom. She often takes students to Chicago museums, the Art Institute, or even to Springfield, IL, to advocate for policy changes. 

Her recent work focuses on youth engagement in collaboration with community-based institutions. As part of a Growing Democracy effort, she recently led an interdisciplinary team of educators and experts in political science, community psychology, health, and community to cultivate our youth’s democratic civic virtues and help them become better citizens.

Magda Giurcanu

Sara Chears-Martinez is our Field Education Coordinator for Social Work, and she is based at the Chicago campus. Sara is passionate about supporting individuals in living their best lives. Her social work career includes advising and supporting women in transition as they work toward completing an educational credential, facilitating domestic violence prevention and community education groups for youth and adults, legal advocacy for survivors of domestic violence, and training and supporting volunteers. Sara has also enjoyed working with students as both a social work adjunct faculty instructor and as a mentor for social work students completing their field placements. She most enjoys helping students uncover their strengths and passions along with connecting students to real-world experiences in the classroom.

Sara completed a master’s degree in Social Work from Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Concordia University River Forest. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and entertaining her two children, reading/ listening to audiobooks, baking, and listening to podcasts.

Larry is Chicago native who was born on the North Side but currently resides in Hyde Park. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, majoring in English and history. Additionally, he completed his master of arts in teaching degree (secondary education) at NLU in 2007.

Larry has taught in Chicago and spent several years teaching middle and high school English/social studies in Los Angeles. Outside of his current professional career as an academic advisor and instructor, he loves exercising, hiking, biking, and is an avid sports fan. His allegiances are to the Chicago Bears, Bulls, White Sox, Blackhawks, and his alma mater–Wisconsin Badgers!

Larry loves cooking, traveling, engaging in deep conversation, listening to 90’s hip-hop music, and watching classic 80’s movies. The virtues of honesty, empathy, presence and kindness are what he holds in the highest regard of personal being.

Joyce Mann was born on the southside of Chicago and grew up in the south suburbs. She’s a proud first-generation student and completed her B.A. and M.A in communication studies at DePaul University. Her career in higher education started 15 years ago. Since then, she’s held a variety of leadership roles and currently serves as a Manager of Student Success and Adjunct Professor at NLU. As a champion for equity in education, her mission is to empower students to achieve their goals while working with institutions to better support traditionally underserved populations. 

Joyce is also an entrepreneur and considers herself a multi-hyphenate mogul in the making. She is a freelance DEI consultant, podcaster, flow artist, writer, content creator, wellness influencer, and DJ. She loves helping people figure out ways to monetize their passions and prioritize their joy.

Sherry Gunn is one of the manager of student success for the undergraduate college. She completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at the Eastern Illinois University, majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences (B.S). and College Student Affairs (M.S.). Sherry brings 7+ years of experience advising and supporting students through her work at Eastern Illinois University, Bradley University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  

Sherry grew up in the south suburbs. After college she resided in Peoria, IL working at Bradley University. There her work focused on diversity and inclusion education and supporting underrepresented populations. She then moved to upstate New York in the capitol region working at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. There she focused on supporting underrepresented students in the area of student success. 

Sherry enjoys watching movies, listening to 90’s and early 2000’s music, and spending time with family and friends. During her time in college she caught the travel bug and tries to travel whenever she gets a chance.

Ben Hatcher is a senior student success coach within the Undergraduate College at NLU, primarily serving students within the Business & Technology Pathway. He remains drawn to the work and Coaching model at NLU because of its proven focus on holistically developing college students as they grow into compassionate and caring problem solvers.

Prior to joining National Louis, Ben worked as a Success Coach and administrator for a Student Success Program at Northeastern Illinois and in the advising & academic coaching space with college student-athletes. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, he earned a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Memphis where he was active in Student Government. Moving to Chicago in 2013, he earned a Master of Arts in political science from Loyola University Chicago, focusing on American politics and public policy.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his godchildren, watching University of Memphis and Loyola athletic events, and trying to remain positive about the Chicago Cubs.

Torrence Sorrell is a Senior Student Success Coach who works with our Computer Science and Information Systems and Business Administration students on the Chicago campus. He earned his bachelors degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in broadcast journalism. He had early aspirations of becoming a sports reporter on ESPN. After taking a gap year he later earned his masters degree in Student Affairs and Higher Education at Indiana State University. At ISU he was a graduate advisor for the Brotherhood of Successful Scholars (B.O.S.S.), which is a black male initiative organization. There he realized the importance of representation and being a role model for underrepresented youth. 

Torrence’s previous role was a Student Success Coach for Purdue Promise at Purdue University. There he served low-income students in the state of Indiana. After eight years, he finally returns to his hometown in Chicago, working at NLU. He’s ecstatic to coach many students who attended the CPS school system like himself. On social media he often uses the hashtag #JustAKidFromChicago as a way to never forget where he came from. 

Outside of coaching and mentoring, Torrence loves to travel, watch the NBA, eat Chicago food, and hang out with friends.

Wanda Barradas is a senior student success coach that serves the Chicago campus. She support students in their academic, career, and personal lives as a mentor, an advocate, and a resource. As a first-generation, low-income, Mexican immigrant, she has developed a passion for educational justice. She graduated with a B.A. from Macalester College, where she studied Political Science and Sociology. There, she was awarded the Mellon Mays Fellowship which allowed her to work on research that touched on themes of illegality, higher education, and radical care. Wanda is excited to work alongside the NLU community to continue this work in addressing educational accessibility. She is also a proud Chicago native from La Villita. She finds joy in taking care of her plants, sneakers, traveling, and practicing community care with family and friends.

Allegra is a Student Success Coach for the Undergraduate College at NLU. She hopes to uplift students in all areas of their life during their transition into college, and aims to serve as a resource, guide, and safe space while at NLU. Before becoming a Student Success Coach, Allegra worked at NLU as a Writing Specialist, and spent time in the classroom providing students with hands-on academic support for their first-year courses.

Allegra received her Bachelors of Arts in English Literature and Creative Writing from New York University, where she was awarded the Founder's Day Award for her academic achievements. She has written for publications such as Wired Magazine, Mic Magazine, and the New York Daily News. Allegra is a proud Mexican-American and Chicagoan, and hopes to show others that all dreams are achievable no matter your background. In her free time, Allegra enjoys spending time with her family, reading, watching movies, and exploring the city.

Cheswayo Mphanza was born in Lusaka, Zambia and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He is a Student Success Coach looking forward to incorporating intersectional approaches that foster academic and personal success for the students at NLU. In his past teaching and coordinating experiences, he served as a liaison for unaccompanied minors apprehended at the U.S. and Mexico border and served as a full-time instructor at Rutgers University teaching English composition at the 101 and 102 level.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Middlebury College and an MA from Rutgers University. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, watching Criterion films, and traveling.

David is a native of Brooklyn, New York, that currently resides in the Beverly neighborhood on the South side of Chicago.

He completed his undergraduate studies at Illinois State University majoring in Political Science, with minors in Biology and Chemistry.  Additionally, he completed his Masters of Teaching Arts as well as Special Education from National Louis University.

David started his career in the adverting and entertainment industries starting his journey in Education in 2008 as an AUSL resident.  He has taught Economics, Entrepreneurship, History, Biology, Chemistry, Senior Seminar as well as coached basketball for Chicago Public Schools. 

Beyond his passion for helping others, the New York Knicks, Yankees, and Jets, he enjoys playing pick-up basketball, drawing, photography, traveling, all things sneakers, biking and spending time with his family. 

Isabel Castro, Ed.D., is a Student Success Coach for the Undergraduate College at National Louis University (NLU), where she provides holistic support to students as they navigate their academic, personal, and career journeys. She also serves as an adjunct professor and is deeply committed to fostering inclusive learning environments where students see themselves reflected in higher education.

Dr. Castro earned her Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications from Northern Illinois University, her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education from Northeastern Illinois University, and her Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership from National Louis University.

A proud Mexican and first-generation college graduate from Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, Dr. Castro's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and serves as a reminder to others from similar backgrounds that ¡Sí Se Puede!

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring new restaurants, and traveling.

Born and raised in Wheeling, IL, Nancy graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2022 with a BA in Economics, along with minors in Sociology and Hispanic Studies. One of her dreams is to own a Honda CBR motorcycle someday. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys hitting the gym, attending music festivals and concerts, and cherishing moments with family and friends. She is also passionate about tennis and loves the game. As a Dunkin’ fan, Nancy is a boosted status member and can often be seen with a cup in hand! Her favorite animal is the panda bear, and her favorite color is dark blue. 
 

Shuntaye Burnside is a Student Success Coach for undergraduate students. She is currently a doctoral student attending National Louis University, studying Counseling, Education, and Supervision. She completed her undergraduate studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale majoring in Psychology and later attended Adler University for her Master’s in Counseling and Organizational Psychology.

Shuntaye strongly desires to help students accomplish their goals and aspirations, while also promoting and improving health and wellness. She enjoys encouraging students to find their passion, helping identify and remove roadblocks, and learning and growing in all life areas. Her approach as Student Success Coach is to educate and advocate for students as well as make them feel supported and comfortable throughout their college journey. Outside of work, Shuntaye enjoys watching movies, spending time with family and friends, reading and traveling.

Dr. Oana Manta, Ed.D. serves licensure-seeking teacher candidates enrolled in the Undergraduate Educator Preparation program. Primarily focusing on the Elementary Education (ELE) Content Test, Dr. Manta collaborates with the Content Test Team to develop test preparation materials, organize workshops, and guide teacher candidates along the road to licensure. Professor Manta also teaches pedagogical Methods courses spanning Early Childhood through Secondary Education.

Lady Gil is the associate director of undergraduate student success. In this role, she provides on campus leadership of student success coaches, ensures execution of the NLU coaching model and supports the growing student experience initiative on campus. Prior to joining NLU, Lady served as the chair of the bilingual parent advisory committee at CCSD 15. She worked closely with teachers and parents to provide students with academic and college awareness supports. She planned and delivered a variety of parent involvement workshops to help families learn about child development and how to support student academic learning. Lady believes that all students have the ability to succeed when provided with the academic and social emotional support they need. She is passionate about helping all students, especially those who are first generation in this country and first generation to college.

Lady obtained her undergraduate degree in early childhood education in her home country of Colombia. After discovering her passion for counseling students, Lady earned her master’s degree in school and community counseling from DePaul University in 2012. Lady is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Illinois.

Dariana is a Student Success Coach for the undergraduate college at NLU – Wheeling Campus. In her role, she will work closely with undergraduate students from all majors to assist with their academic planning, goal setting, and personal development. Previously, Dariana worked at Illinois State University as an Academic Advisor for first-year students and helped with academic planning, retention efforts, and support services referrals. She has worked for Orientation Services and was a Mentor for first-year and first-generation students from underrepresented communities.

Dariana obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with minors in Spanish and Latinx Studies from Illinois State University.

During her free time, she likes to travel, watch rom-com movies, read, and visit ‘Instagramable’ attractions/places with her sister.