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  • Roman Friedman

    Dr. Roman Friedman works as a Global Learning Specialist, helping facilitate the internationalization of the curriculum in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Prior to his work in international education, Roman received a BA in Economics and worked as a public school History teacher while pursuing his MA in Social Studies Education from Rutgers University. He completed his Ph.D. in Education Policy studies with a focus on Philosophy of Education at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

  • Amanda Lentz

    Amanda Lentz is an Academic Program Advisor for Education Abroad in LAS International Programs.  Her primary focus is on advising students on many of the ways to engage globally during their time at Illinois. During her undergraduate career, she majored in international studies, political science, and Spanish.  She studied abroad for a semester in Costa Rica, a summer in Cuba and Israel, and participated in a faculty-led program in Turkey. She went on to earn her master’s degree in international education from the SIT Graduate Institute, where her research focused on best practices for education abroad advising.

  • Allison Holden

    Allison Holden is the Associate Director of the LAS Honors program. Originally from Wisconsin, she has moved around the Midwest before making the University of Illinois and Champaign home. Now she rallies the LAS Honors Program from enrollment to graduation. When she’s not working with the amazing students in LAS, she’s selling real estate, drinking coffee, listening to podcasts, watching Disney+ with her kids or mapping out her next travel destination. 

  • Cathy Edgar

    Cathy Edgar lives in Arcola where she was born and raised. She then raised her two sons there as well.  She enjoys spending time with her friends and family, particularly her two granddaughters. Reading is a favorite pastime. Living just 35 miles away, she's always been an Illini fan! She is happy to be a part of the University and is here to assist our LAS students.

  • Nikia Brown

    Nikia Brown is the Associate Director for Intercultural and Global Learning, International Student Experience within the LAS International Programs team.  She has master degrees in sociology and intercultural & international communication. She considers South Korea a second home as she lived there for close to 6 years. When she has free time, she enjoy's traveling and finding the best spots for brunch. Recommendations are accepted on a rolling basis.  

  • Kate Abney

    Kate Abney is a medical and social anthropologist. She earned her BA at Boston University, and MA and PhD while lecturing at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.  She has spent the majority of her adult life in South Africa and has traveled extensively and worked in other countries as a lecturer, program coordinator, and an academic director for education abroad programming. Kate is passionate about cooking, plants, people, and politics; preferably discussed over dinner.

  • Ekateryna Bondareva

    Ekateryna Bondareva is the Assistant Director of Recruitment and Admissions in the College of LAS. Ekateryna was born and raised in Ukraine, coming over to the US at the age of 12. She attended Southern Illinois University for her undergraduate degree, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for her masters degree in Public Administration and Policy Analysis. One of the things Ekateryna is most passionate about is education, and helping students succeed in their pursuit of knowledge. In her spare time, Ekateryna enjoys reading, traveling, cycling, jewelry making and tending to her plants. Ekateryna is fluent in Russian and English, with the ability to understand and read Ukrainian.

  • Elly Hanauer

    Dr. Elly Hanauer leads the LAS International Programs team. She has worked in the field of international education for 20 years managing international exchange, professional development and academic enrichment programs. In addition to her work in higher education, Elly also spent six years working in the non-profit sector, leading program evaluation for Women’s Alliance for Knowledge Exchange and managing government, corporate, and foundation-sponsored training and scholarship programs at the Institute of International Education (IIE). Elly holds BA and MA degrees in French from Wellesley College and Middlebury College, and a doctorate in International Education from NYU.

  • Raymona Wicks

    Raymona Wicks is an Academic Advisor with the AAP program. She has been with UIUC for more than 8 years. She received her Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies from U of I, Springfield and her Master’s in Education, Policy, Organization and Leadership from UIUC. Her favorite pastimes include spending time with her family, reading, writing and watching movies – mainly action and sci-fi.

  • Teresha Bossinghamn

    Teresha Bossingham received her BS in Business Administration from Illinois State University.  She has worked in higher education for 14 years; 12 years at ISU and 2 years at the University of Illinois.  She is married with 3 children.  When she is not working, she spends her time watching her daughter play sports and enjoying time with her family.