NLU’s Magazine for Alumni and Friends
NATIONAL LOUIS UNIVERSITY | FALL 2018
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE 4
Nivine Megahed, Ph.D. Every day I think about the big picture.
FIRST WORD 4
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Lester Lindley ‘59 National Louis and Kendall are a perfect fit
SCENES FROM NCE The National College of Education
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Celebrating Our Gold-Standard Teachers Congrats to these four alums who were among this year’s Golden Apple winners
SCENES FROM CPSA 6
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The College of Professional Studies and Advancement
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Prof Wins Lifetime Achievement Award Illinois School Counselors Association honored NLU’s Anna Marie Yates, Ph.D.
STUDENT & ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT 8 8
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Student Steps from Shadows into Her Power An Oasis in an Endless Summer Alum gives kids the summer camp she always wanted New Grads Into the Fold Meet the new additions to your alumni community
FEATURES
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National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
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Painting a New Portrait at National Louis NLU adds two new colleges
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Smiles From Our Commencement Ceremony Despite Diagnosis, Grad Won’t Let Dream Die Donna Woods ‘18 made it to Commencement
A LOOK AT GIVING 14
Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship Fund for Leadership Education
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT 15
Governor Taps NLU’s Curda To Lead Illinois Dept. of Veterans Affairs Stephen K. Curda taught education and technology courses, led NLU veterans program
NEWS & NOTES 16
What’s New With NLU Alums?
FINAL GLANCE 10
12
19
Judy Derpack ’96
13 CONTACT website | nl.edu/alumni email | alumni@nl.edu phone | 312.261.3111 facebook.com/nationallouis twitter.com/nlu_alumni instagram.com/nationallouisu
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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE “I cannot help doing the work I do, which feels to me as vital as my breath.” – Anne Truitt, artist and author. Every day I think about the big picture. The significance of how we are all part of something that is bigger than ourselves. Not because I am exceptionally fond of worrying, but because we want, need, NLU to be known as the place for innovation, closing the attainment gap and providing professional programming for all learners. If we achieve these things, we will undoubtedly make an impact — improving economic and social mobility of our students and in turn strengthening the communities where they reside, ultimately changing the face of higher education. I am truly excited about the work NLU is doing and more importantly how we are being recognized for this transformation. Daniel Greenstein, chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, commended National Louis for not only persevering but also setting the standard. He talked about how NLU,
“leveraged their existing strengths and their histories and their ties to various communities and turned themselves into exemplars of what higher education can and really ought to look like in the 21st century.” It is the collective efforts of the individuals in this venerable institution that is driving this transformation. NLU is comprised of a talented array of people. People who believe in the power of opportunity. Faculty and staff who are passionate about our mission, students who are doing the hard work of bettering themselves through education and alumni dedicated to making their communities, and the world, a better place. In this magazine, you will read about the addition of two new colleges, refined programming, stellar faculty and exceptional alumni. We are absolutely painting a new portrait of NLU, as the cover so astutely claims. Our canvas is the access to quality higher education that nurtures opportunity, but our palette, our vibrancy, is the innovative teaching, scholarship, community engagement and service excellence that is at the core of all we do.
Best regards,
Nivine Megahed, Ph.D. President
P.S. Don’t forget to let us know about an outstanding alum that deserves to be recognized with NLU’s Distinguished Alumni Award. More info at nl.edu/alumni/awardnomination
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National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
FIRST WORD
THE PERFECT FIT
earlier immigrants knew and spoke English. As a result, there was no need to educate pastors to serve foreignspeaking languages. The properties the two seminaries owned, one on Sherman Avenue and the other on Orrington, were transferred to a new educational endeavor — the Evanston Collegiate Institute (ECI) — established in 1934, which had a strong religious orientation.
“When I learned of the proposed transfer of Kendall’s programs to National Louis University, I was initially surprised, but as I reflected on the proposed union, it fits well into Kendall’s historic evolution.”
By Lester Lindley ‘59
I attended Kendall College in the late 1950s, when it was still a junior college, and joined the Kendall faculty in 1976, the year it accepted its first junior class and began its quest to become a four-year, senior college. I taught at Kendall from the fall of 1976 through the summer of 1989. As part of my work at Kendall, in 1984 I wrote a history of the College’s first fifty years. When I learned of the proposed transfer of Kendall’s programs to National Louis University, I was initially surprised, but as I reflected on the proposed union, it fits well into Kendall’s historic evolution. Change is part of Kendall’s DNA, especially in the way it responds to demographic and educational challenges. Kendall began after two Methodist theological seminaries had fulfilled their mission and no longer served the purposes that led to their founding. The seminaries educated Swedish and Norwegian-Danish pastors to serve immigrants from those Scandinavian countries. Their creation was a response to a central reality of the late 19th and early 20th centuries of large influxes of foreign language speakers, but by the end of the 1920s, the number of new immigrants declined dramatically, and
The ECI struggled through the remainder of the ‘30s and served students through World War II and a few years beyond, even though it had a dwindling number of students during the war years. In 1950 it had the good fortune of receiving a large monetary gift from a member of the Kendall family, who was associated with the Washington National Insurance Company, which was also located in Evanston. The infusion of the Kendall gift led to the name change to Kendall College and gave it a better financial footing. With the growth and expansion of community colleges in the 1960s and ‘70s, it became clear that Kendall had little chance of surviving as a junior college. The expansion into a four-year college in 1976-77 proved inadequate to keep the College viable, so in the mid1980s, it developed its Culinary Arts and Hospitality programs, which soon became the strongest attraction for students and won the College national and international reputation and renown. Kendall’s expansion into the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management occurred on its Evanston property, but the Culinary program outgrew that facility and in 2005 Kendall moved to its present location on Goose Island. The two seminaries are gone, ECI is gone, but by adjusting to changing educational and demographic challenges over a rapidly changing, often turbulent society, Kendall endures. Its union with National Louis assures that Kendall’s legacy — from the two seminaries and the Evanston Collegiate Institute — will continue to endure for untold generations to come.
National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
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SCENES FROM NCE The National College of Education
Chicago
Lisa Buchholz ’95, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
Meghan Dolan ’10, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
Rockford “We’re thrilled to have four NLU National College of Education alumni recognized with this year’s Golden Apple awards. These teachers are exemplars of the impact on children’s learning that we aspire to for all NCE graduates. To be able every year to point to Golden Apple and other awards for excellence in education is a testament to the importance and value of strong, innovative and creative teacher preparation programs and faculty.”
DEAN’S PERSPECTIVE Robert D. Muller, Ed.D. National College of Education NCEDean@nl.edu
Katherine Koehler ’17, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision
Lance Tuula ’12, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision
CELEBRATING OUR GOLD-STANDARD TEACHERS By Pam DeFiglio
Teachers watch with anticipation every year as Golden Apple (in the Chicago area) and the Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford go through the process of fielding nominations for outstanding teachers, making personal visits to the finalists’ classrooms and then finally selecting Golden Apple award winners. This year, four National Louis University alumni got the thrill of having the media, their principals, officials
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National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
and others surprise them in their classrooms with the exciting news they had won Golden Apple awards for excellence in teaching. Golden Apple bestowed awards to two Chicago-area teachers, and Golden Apple of Rockford bestowed two to teachers in northern Illinois. Congratulations to the four NLU alums among this year’s winners: Lisa Buchholz ’95, Meghan Dolan ’10, Katherine Koehler ’17 and Lance Tuula ’12.
SCENES FROM CPSA The College of Professional Studies and Advancement
PROF YATES WINS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM SCHOOL COUNSELORS Illinois School Counselors Association honored Anna Marie Yates, Ph.D. By Pam DeFiglio When she sat down to a luncheon Friday at the Illinois School Counselors Association conference, Anna Marie Yates, Ph.D., was expecting a quiet meal with fellow National Louis University professors. Instead, she got a huge surprise. Leslie Goines, the president-elect of the school counselors association, announced Yates as a winner of the association’s lifetime achievement award. Helping students become their best selves “My reaction is grateful appreciation to the hundreds of school counselors across the state who are doing the same tasks that I did — helping students to become their best selves in academics, career choice and social-emotional well-being,” Yates said. Yates, assistant professor in National Louis University’s M.S. in Counseling program, served as a counselor in northwest suburban High School District 214 schools for 20 years. She holds her Ph.D. from Northwestern University. This is the first time the Illinois School Counselors Association, which is one of 14 divisions of the Illinois
“National Louis University is thrilled that Anna Marie Yates has been recognized by her peers through the lifetime achievement award in the Illinois Schools Counseling Association. We are grateful to have Anna Marie as a longtime beloved faculty in our Master’s in Counseling program and are proud of her contributions to the field. Anna Marie’s dedication to the success of her students is indicative of the type of faculty we strive for at National Louis.”
DEAN’S PERSPECTIVE
Judah Viola, Ph.D. College of Professional Studies and Advancement CPSADeansOffice@nl.edu
Counseling Association, has presented a lifetime achievement award. Yates, who has served as president of three of the ICA’s divisions, was nominated by Vince Walsh-Rock, Ph.D., assistant principal for counseling at Downers Grove South High School. Earlier, Yates won the Illinois School Counselor’s Association High School Counselor of the Year award twice, in 1995 and 2006. School counseling evolved over time Upon receiving the award, Yates said her thoughts now take her back to the past, immerse her in the present and lead her focus to the future. “In the early ’60’s when I was hired for my first school counseling job, I tried to reach every student — via large counseling curriculum groups, small groups and individual sessions; I contacted parents, worked with teachers and did testing,” she wrote. “These reflective past memories are ever so vivid in the present. I am working with my interns who are right now facing these same challenges that I encountered in the past and also adding new and even more difficult issues and incorporating connections through new technologies and internet access. And, I do think about the future … our world and the kind of problems that lie ahead. Our profession is always on the cutting edge of new theories and interventions that will help our students.” National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
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STUDENT & ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT The College of Professional Studies and Advancement
STUDENT STEPS FROM SHADOWS INTO HER POWER By Pam DeFiglio
As a young woman in a black sequined gown walked to the podium, Reach Awards emcee Rob Johnson, news anchor at WBBM (CBS) Channel 2, introduced her as Asia M. McEntee, an undergraduate who entered the Pathways program in 2016-17. In delivering the student speech, she explained that because she suffers from a type of chronic pain called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, she missed nearly half of her time in high school. “You all would have never known that … the person standing before you tonight did not have a voice, that I was overlooked, that over half of my classmates did not even know my name, but just saw me as the girl with the cane,” she said.
She had fears she wouldn’t do well in college, but said that to be a leader, one must understand fear is not an option. She cited the support she has found at National Louis for enabling her to earn a 4.0 grade point average, become a student ambassador, enter the National Society for Leadership and Success and become president of a women’s empowerment group she founded. “Being a part of National Louis University, I have found my passion, something that was already in my heart, with so much encouragement that I know I will earn my degree in 2020,” she explained. “I know I’ve found hope — in myself and here at NLU.”
AN OASIS IN AN ENDLESS SUMMER Alum gives kids the summer camp she always wanted By Nicholas A. Love You might think that someone working in a school setting would spend their summers lounging in the kid-free silence. Not Brooke Schamber ’06. A school psychologist during fall, winter and spring — she started a summer camp as a side project and now spends all four seasons surrounded by kids. “I enjoy being with children,” she admitted. “They surprise you, make you laugh and inspire you. It’s always interesting, and I don’t think that is true of all professions.” Her side project is now a full-blown business: Oasis Summer Day Camp, a fee-based summer program providing fun activities for ages 4 to 12. Schamber runs the camp with her husband — a 2nd grade teacher who also enjoys working with kids, especially between the school years. “We love the magic of summer when the days are long and filled with new adventures,” Schamber admitted. Schamber and her husband work to make sure there’s plenty of magic to go around. Oasis provides scholarships
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National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
for Evanston, Ill., students through a partnership with a local nonprofit. “We began offering five spots to Ted Fund campers and now offer over 20 per summer — valued at more than $80,000.” she explained. When Schamber’s not creating the ideal summer environment for as many kids as possible, she’s advocating for students as a school psychologist with the Oak Grove School District in Green Oaks, Ill. “I am able to work with children directly, with teams, run groups for amazing children in the talented and gifted program and help to level the playing field for children with disabilities,” she said. It was National Louis that gave Schamber her critical first steps into the world of psychology, setting the foundation for all her future efforts. “NLU was wonderful. I was working and putting myself through undergrad. I was able to transfer in credits and there were flexible course options with really interesting educators. I enjoyed my time there,” she said of the University.
NEW GRADS INTO THE FOLD
Meet the new additions to your alumni community: Kendall College grads! Acquiring Kendall College adds new programs, resources, staff and faculty to the National Louis University roster. Growing the NLU program portfolio also means growing the alumni community. Meet just a handful of the wonderful alums we’ve welcomed into our outstanding National Louis University community.
ALUMNI SIGHTINGS
National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
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SCENES FROM THE UNIVERSITY
PAINTING A NEW PORTRAIT AT NATIONAL LOUIS UNIVERSITY NLU adds the Undergraduate College and the Kendall College of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management By Nicholas A. Love
Like a great work of art that has stood the test of time, National Louis University (NLU) is undergoing a restoration process. The canvas that Elizabeth Harrison first touched her brush to, Miss Harrison’s Training Class, is receiving some polish and a bit of new scenery: the Kendall College of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management (Kendall) and the Undergraduate College (UGC).
KENDALL COLLEGE Kendall College officially joined NLU this past August after many long months and several long nights of navigating the complex process of receiving regulatory approvals to transfer Kendall’s business, education, hospitality management, culinary arts and baking/pastry programs. Kendall’s business and online early childhood education programs moved to the NLU Chicago campus. The hospitality, baking and culinary programs will mostly 10
National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
remain on the Goose Island campus near downtown Chicago for the foreseeable future until new culinary and hospitality facilities for Kendall students are completed. While Kendall is now part of NLU, it will retain its name and premier reputation as Kendall College of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management at National Louis University. National Louis is pleased to broaden its program opportunities for all its students. “This is an opportunity to continue to advance Kendall’s reputation and legacy as we meet the needs of the growing culinary and hospitality sector in our region,” said President Nivine Megahed, Ph.D., of the addition of Kendall to NLU. “While there is still much work to be done, I hope you also will take note that this is a pivotal moment in both NLU’s and Kendall’s history, and one that will have lasting significance.”
THE UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE The UGC at National Louis University officially began in July of this year. It took nearly two years and the efforts of faculty and staff across the institution to develop and prepare the UGC model, which is defined by NLU’s signature undergraduate experience:
College o Profess f ional St ud and Ad vancem ies ent
»» a clear and comprehensive student pathway to
bachelor’s degree completion »» experiential, applied learning across courses »» a service-learning requirement for all UGC students »» comprehensive coaching and advising support »» use of predictive analytics to personalize student learning The College will serve both Pathways students — first-time, full-time, day-time freshman — and transfer students of all ages, allowing the faculty of the National College of Education and the College of Professional Studies and Advancement to focus their expertise on the University’s graduate students. Aarti Dhupelia, previously the head of Pathways at NLU, will serve as Vice President for Undergraduate Education and Dean of the UGC.
onal Nati ge of e Coll ation c u d E
College o and Busi f Managemen t ness
ten rgar inde ege K l a ll n o ry C Natio The lementa E d n a
ago Chic The rgarten e Kind ge e Coll
“Through the establishment of the Undergraduate College, NLU is reaffirming our commitment to closing the opportunity gap in bachelor’s degree attainment, driven by the uniquely affordable, rigorous, personalized, supportive and professionally focused education we offer students,” said Dhupelia. “I’m excited to build on our rich, long-standing history and to scale our promising recent innovations to support all of our undergraduates in meeting their college and career goals.”
The Undergra duate College
Kendall College of Hospitality and Management
Kendall College
Evanston Collegiate Institute
Pathways
at NLU
Harrison Pro Pathways fessional Program
’s ison Harr Miss g Class in Train
THE UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE PATHWAYS AND MAJORS General Studies:
Education:
• • • •
• • • •
B.A. in Applied Communications B.A. in Criminal Justice B.S. in Human Services B.A. in Psychology
B.A. in Early Childhood Education B.A. in Early Childhood Practice B.A. in Elementary Education B.A. in Special Education
Adult & Transfer:
Business:
Transitioning to UGC by Fall 2019
• B.A. in Business Administration • B.S. in Comp. Sci. & Info. Systems • B.A. in Hospitality Management The Harr
College o and Scie f Arts nces
• B.S. in Management • B.S. in Health Care Leadership • B.A. in Applied Behavioral Sciences
ison Fello
wship National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
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SMILES FROM OUR
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY FLORIDA
June 24, 2018 The Coliseum St. Petersburg, Fla.
COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES AND ADVANCEMENT
June 16, 2018 Arie Crown Theater Chicago, Ill.
NATIONAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
June 16, 2018 Arie Crown Theater Chicago, Ill.
! N O O S G N I M CO 12
National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
KENDALL COLLEGE OF CULINARY ARTS AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT Coming next year!
DESPITE GRIM DIAGNOSIS, Ph.D. GRAD WON’T LET DREAM DIE
Donna Woods ‘18 made it to Commencement on June 16 By Pam DeFiglio Just before starting her doctoral program at National Louis University, Donna Woods got an alarming diagnosis: ALS disease, a degenerative illness that progressively robs the muscles of their ability to function. Doctors gave her three years to live, and that was in August 2015. Woods, who had previously suffered four heart attacks and blood clots in her leg and lungs, could have bowed to their sober pronouncement and withdrawn from the Community Psychology Ph.D. program. Even in the face of a death sentence, though, she refused to let her dream die. “I’ve always wanted to have a group home for at-risk teens — wards of the state, boys and girls — and to possibly operate a bullied women’s shelter,” she said. “I want to start my own non-profit.” Woods, of Lynwood, has plenty of relevant experience. She has worked as a school counselor for at-risk youth, a program manager for urban youth empowerment at the Quad-County Urban League south and west of Chicago and a recreation supervisor for Job Corps in Joliet, Ill. So she stuck with the Ph.D. program, receiving therapy for ALS three times a week. In recent months, she wasn’t able to move the muscles in her arms or hands much, so she used a speech recognition program which typed the words
she spoke — until the disease slurred her speech to the point where that no longer worked. She credited NLU’s Peter Ploegman, who helps accommodate disabled students, with helping her through the challenges. “It’s been a struggle, but we got it down,” she said. She wrote her doctoral dissertation on “Moving from Punitive Punishment in Urban Schools: Understanding the Significance of a Restorative Justice Mindset for Breaking the School to Prison Pipeline.” She was influenced by observing how the technique of restorative justice can help ensure that youth won’t end up in the criminal justice system. She urges teachers to use restorative justice techniques in school settings. When she received her Ph.D. at Commencement, she gave credit to sheer willpower and perseverance. “I tried to utilize every avenue because I was really determined to get this done,” she said. ‘What pushed me most was to be an example to my nieces and nephews, family and friends, to let them know all things are possible. To be in a position to motivate and encourage and inspire another person was worth it all.”
National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
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A LOOK AT GIVING
She passionately advocated for a spotlight on these leaders because children and families depend on them. It’s why Paula dedicated her life to bringing national attention to the critical role program leaders play in assuring high-quality early childhood education for children in out-of-home settings. She inspired program leaders to learn more, be more and, most importantly, do more — so all young children are given the opportunity to thrive.
Paula Jorde Bloom, who passed away earlier this year, built a thriving, nationally recognized early childhood education organization from an initial grant of just $600. Her legacy, the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership, supports the competencies of early childhood program leaders and brings credibility to the important and complex role of program leaders, the “gatekeepers to quality” as Paula was known to call them.
While her devotion to improving early childhood professional standards was legendary, she also recognized that best-inclass professional learning requires financial support. Now’s your chance to help build upon the talents of emerging early childhood leaders who are dedicated to providing the highest quality care and education for children and families. And when you make your gift to the Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship Fund, your dollars will double thanks to a special donor match in association with the McCormick Center’s Taking the Lead program. Become part of Paula’s legacy by supporting the development of the next generation of early childhood leaders.
You can give by visiting nl.edu/giving or using the envelope included with this magazine. (Be sure to indicate “Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship Fund” when making your gift!)
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National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
GOVERNOR TAPS NLU’S CURDA TO LEAD ILLINOIS DEPT. OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS Stephen K. Curda taught education and technology courses, led NLU veterans program By Pam DeFiglio
National Louis University students who took classes from Associate Professor Stephen K. Curda, Ph.D., might not have known from his welcoming demeanor that he has held a very distinguished career in the U.S. Army, or that he rose to the rank of Brigadier General before retiring recently. Instead, students knew the tenured associate professor as a caring instructor devoted to his students, and also as the leader of National Louis University’s veterans program through his position as Special Assistant to the President for Veterans Education. National Louis now has to share Curda’s talents with the rest of Illinois, however, as of June 5. Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed him Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Curda, who returned to NLU last year after serving as commander of 3,600 Army personnel throughout the Pacific from Alaska and Hawaii to Japan and Korea, has experience in leading complex operations. His next task will be to resolve a tragic situation at the IDVA veterans’ home in Quincy, Ill., where waterborne illness has killed 13 of the home’s elderly veterans since 2015. The state spent millions of dollars updating the home’s century-old pipes, but those improvements did not eradicate the disease.
Last week, the Illinois General Assembly passed a budget that included $53 million to begin construction on a new veterans’ home, purchase another veterans’ home in Sycamore and upgrade the water filtration system. “I applaud the General Assembly for working with us to make sure our veterans have the best care possible,” Curda said in a press release from the governor’s office. “Our new facility will feature cutting-edge technology to ensure we can meet the needs of our veterans of today — those who have served to protect us in the War on Terror.” Curda has a track record of moving seamlessly between his roles in the military, where he has been deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the academic world. He earned his Ph.D. in Instructional Technology and Educational Psychology from the University of Oklahoma in 1997 and has held several academic roles. At National Louis University, he has led the veterans’ program’s focus on holistically serving military-connected students with a wrap-around model of support. Under his leadership, the university has earned the military-friendly designation multiple times. NLU congratulates Dr. Curda on his appointment to this distinguished position serving Illinois’ veterans. National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
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NEWS & NOTES 1970s Sharon Burstein ‘74, B.A. in Education, was one of 15 speakers to present at the Vietnam Leadership Summit 2018 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
1980s
is the new interim Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools. Deanne DiDomenico ‘99, B.A. in Early Childhood Education and ‘13 M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, was featured in the Daily Herald for her career at Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54’s Early Learning Center in Schaumburg, Ill.
Terry Sofianos ‘88, B.A. in Learning Disabilities, is the new assistant superintendent for special education at Avoca School District 37 in Wilmette, Ill.
1990s Hugh Elwood ‘92, B.A. in Management and ‘96 M.S. in Human Resources Management and Development, is the new senior contracts administrator with Connexions Loyalty, a travel rewards and member loyalty management and fulfillment company located in Glen Allen, Va. Jill Gildea ‘92, M.Ed. in Language and Literacy and ‘05 Ed.S. in Administration and Supervision, is the new superintendent of the Park City School District in Park City, Utah. Sally Parker-Johnson ‘92, M.A.T. in Elementary Education, retired from a 30-year teaching career.
Jenni Shook-Harris ‘97, B.S. in Management, joined the board of directors of the Waubonsee Community College Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising organization of Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Ill. Charles Sperling ‘99, B.A. in Applied Behavioral Sciences and ‘00 M.S. in Managerial Leadership, was appointed to the Georgia State Commission on Family Violence.
Jane Brewer Barbian ‘93, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, was elected to the Racine Unified School Board in Racine, Wis.
2000s
Danny Beck 93’, A.A.S. in Culinary Arts, is the owner of Beck’s, a new bar in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago.
Shin Thompson 01’, A.A.S. in Culinary Arts, was featured in a review of his restaurant chain Furious Spoon, which has nine locations open or in development throughout Chicago.
Nancy Nee ‘93, B.A. in Liberal Arts Studies, is the new vice president of eCommerce strategic initiatives at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Valorie Tatum ‘94, B.A. in Elementary Education, was featured for her dedication to her neighborhood by the Resident Association of Greater Englewood in Chicago. Scott Dahlberg ‘95, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, is the new director of social studies at Niles North High School in Skokie, Ill.
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photo via linkedin.com/in/jennifershook
Jerry Alessia ‘02, M.S. in Human Resources Management and Development, is the new senior vice president of tire merchandising with Monro, Inc., an automotive and tire repair and services company. Frank J. Kitzerow Jr. ‘02, B.S. in Management, is the new police chief for the School District of Palm Beach County, Fla.
Richard E. Taylor, Jr., ‘97, B.S. in Management, was nominated for U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Texas by President Donald J. Trump.
Otis C Taylor ‘02, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision and ‘09 Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, was promoted to executive director of special education serving Betty Shabazz International Charter School, Horizon Science Academy Belmont and Horizon Science Academy McKinley in Chicago.
Keith P. Posley ‘98, C.A.S. in Administration and Supervision and ‘12 Ed.D. in Education Leadership,
McRae Mangum ‘04, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision, is the new principal at Lyman Hall
National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
NEWS & NOTES Elementary School in Hinesville, Ga. Linda Caradine-Poinsett ‘05, B.S. in Health Care Leadership and ‘07 MBA, was featured in the Chicago Tribune for winning NLU’s 2018 Reach Award. Tim Hardy ‘05, M.S. in Management, is the new athletic director at Greater Atlanta Christian School in Norcross, Ga. Elisa Maldonado ‘05, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision, ‘11 C.A.S. in Curriculum and Supervision, and ‘12 M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, is the new principal at Autumn Creek Elementary School in Yorkville, Ill. Markisha Mitchell ‘05, M.A.T. in Elementary Education and ‘18 Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, is one of six Joliet (Illinois) Public School District 86 administrators awarded with doctoral degrees in 2018. Matthew Silverman ‘06, Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, is the new assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction with Glenview Elementary School District 34 in Glenview, Ill.
the new public involvement manager at HNTB Corporation, an architecture and civil engineering consulting firm with offices across the United States. Nathan Schilling ‘09, C.A.S. in Administration and Supervision, is the new superintendent for Lansing School District 158 in Lansing, Ill. Charles Turner ‘09, Master of Business Administration, was recently promoted to manager at Truly Nolen Pest Control’s Port Richey service office in Pasco County, Fla.
2010s Jeffery Boyd ‘10, Ed.D. in Community College Leadership, is the new president of Rochester Community and Technical College in Rochester, Minn. Holly Schlicher ‘10, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction and ‘15 Ed.S. in Administration and Supervision, is the new principal at Dooley Elementary School in Schaumburg, Ill.
Jared Smith ‘06, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision, is the new superintendent for South Tama Community School District in South Tama County, Iowa. Paul Starck-King ‘07, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision, is the new superintendent for District 97 in Oak Park, Ill. Adam Hurder ‘07, M.A.T. in Elementary Education, is the new executive director of education services for grades 6–12 for the Valley View School District, which covers most of Bolingbrook and Romeoville, Ill. Holly Katz ‘07, M.S. in Counseling, is a featured expert at an anxiety-management seminar, “Conquer Anxiety, Raise Your Game, and Thrive,” put on by The Manual Touch Physical Therapy. Sanlida Cheng ‘08, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision, is the new provisional director of social studies at Niles West High School in Skokie, Ill. Deborah Finn ‘08, C.A.S. in Administration and Supervision, is the new interim principal at Highland Park High School in Highland Park, Ill. Yaa Dei Appiah-McNulty ‘09, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision, is the new principal of Henderson Middle School in Little Rock, Ark. Lisa Sargent-Davis ‘09, M.A. in Psychology, is
Jon Mall ‘04, M.A.T. in Secondary Education, received a Highland Park Golden Apple Award from the Highland Park Community Foundation in Illinois. Amy Smith ‘10, M.Ed in Administration and Supervision, is the new senior director of Colorado State University Online. Adam Bellows ‘11, B.A. in Applied Behavioral Sciences, is the new assistant rabbi at United Hebrew Congregation in St. Louis, Mo. Christina Sepiol ‘11, Ed.S. in Administration and Supervision and ‘12 Ed.D in Educational Leadership, is the new assistant superintendent of student services for Indian Prairie School District 204 covering parts of DuPage and Will counties in Illinois. Alyssa Shlensky ‘11, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, is the new assistant principal at North Elementary School in Des Plaines, Ill. National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
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>> What’s new with you? Send an email to alumni@nl.edu and share your news.
NEWS & NOTES Andrew Bean ‘12, M.A.T. in Elementary Education, received a 2018 Ones to Watch award from the Tech Talk Committee of Chicago Public Schools. Aaron Knoth ‘12, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, is the new assistant principal of Hannah Beardsley Middle School in Crystal Lake, Ill. Colleen Antas ‘13, M.A.T. in Secondary Education, is the new athletic director at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, Ill. Lawonda Miller ‘13, B.S. in Management, ‘15 M.S. in Human Resources Management and Development, and ‘18 M.S. in Counseling, is the new mental health clinical practitioner with Heartland Alliance in Chicago.
resources for School District 308 in Oswego, Ill. Sean West ‘14, B.A. in Culinary Arts, was featured by the Sun-Times in their video series Food We Love. Femi Skanes ‘15, Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, is the new principal of Morgan Park High School on the far south side of Chicago. Salisia Webber ‘16, M.S. in Written Communication, was a featured philanthropist in SCENE Magazine, an events-focused media company headquartered in Chicago. Emily Crement ‘17, Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, is the new principal of Hodgkins Elementary in Hodgkins, Ill. Matthew Eriksen ‘17, Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, is the new principal of Central Middle School in Evergreen Park, Ill. Susie Matejczyk ‘17, B.A. in Early Childhood Education, was featured in PortageLife.com for her role as a teacher at Montessori Academy of Valparaiso in Valparaiso, Ind., and her dedication to the Lake Station, Ind., community.
Kenya Madison-Gabler ‘16, M.A.T. in Elementary Education, was elected to the Executive Council of the Chicago/Northern Illinois Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French. Chris Bracey ‘14, M.A.T. in Special Education, is the new assistant coach of the University of Missouri’s women’s basketball team, the Missouri Tigers. Anthony Grazzini ‘14, Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, is the new executive director of human
Michael Rodrigo ‘17, Ed.S. in Administration and Supervision, is the new principal of Wayne Thomas Elementary School in Highland Park, Ill. Caletha White ‘17, Ed.S. in Administration and Supervision and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, is the new superintendent for District 163 in Park Forest, Ill. Tim Sheldon ‘18, Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, is the new principal of Southeast Elementary School in Evergreen Park, Ill.
In Memoriam — Alumni Margo Reynolds Janke ‘65, M.Ed. Thomas Arthur O’Dowd ‘90, M.A.T. in Elementary Education Marilyn Shoellhorn ‘92, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction Denise Louise Smith ‘01, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
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National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
FINAL GLANCE
“My NLU education completely and utterly changed every cell of my brain, to realize the excitement and pure joy of working with young children. It informed every year I taught and parented. It continues to inform every moment with my grandchildren and their friends.” —JUDY DERPACK ’96, early childhood education leader in the greater Seattle area.
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Carole Wood, Vice President of Institutional Advancement Susan Barnett, Director of Communications Pam DeFiglio, Public Relations Manager Sandy Injerd, Donor Relations Support Manager Melissa Koll Assistant Director of Events Danielle LaPointe, Director of Advancement Services Nicholas A. Love, Alumni and Advancement Communications Manager Arlene Strong Director of External Funding & Grant Development Leslie Villasenor, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement
National Louis University VIEW Nicholas A. Love | Managing Editor James Richards IV | Staff Photographer National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
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Know an NLU or Kendall alum who deserves celebrating? Visit nl.edu/alumni/awardnomination now to nominate our next alumni award winners for 2019.