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  • Jose De La O

    Jose De La O is an Academic Advisor for the Access & Achievement Program. Before this, he was working in Undergraduate Admissions to recruit prospective college students to Illinois, but now he is enjoying working with college students to best ensure they meet their academic goals during their college career. Jose likes the outdoors and enjoys swimming and biking, especially during the summertime.

  • Victoria Prince

    Victoria Prince is an Academic Program Advisor for Education Abroad in LAS International Programs. Victoria is a two-time UIUC alum having completed her Bachelor's degree in Global Studies and Master’s in European Union Studies. Her undergraduate degree concentrated on Governance and Conflict Resolution, an area studies field of China and East Asia, and she spent a semester abroad in Beijing pursuing fluency in Mandarin Chinese. She returned to the University to pursue the MAEUS degree and completed research on the relationship between China and the EU. In addition to her year in Poland on a Fulbright Fellowship, she has traveled extensively around the world. She is very passionate about international education and is happy to discuss your interest in study abroad!

  • MJ Licht

    MJ Licht has worked for the last 10 years with the LAS First Year Experience program as an Instructional Technology Specialist and also helps other units in Student Academic Affairs Office with their Canvas needs. She has an M.A. in Germanic Languages & Literatures and completed coursework & exams in Second Language Education & Teacher Education at UIUC. She and her husband have two Illini sons and a dog named Spot. She enjoys theater, biking & napping.

  • Danette Griffith

    Danette Griffith was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago (Go, Cubs, Go! Bear down!!), She is a mom of four boys and absolutely loves all things sports. She attended SIU Carbondale where she earned her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and two Masters in Rehabilitation Administration (MS) and Education (MS Ed). When she is not helping students shape and achieve their academic goals, she is attending sporting events, spending time with family, traveling and listening to music.

  • Kirstin Wilcox

    Kirstin Wilcox is the Director of LAS Career Services.  She first got interested in helping students figure out their future in her previous role as a lecturer in the Department of English. In her free time, Kirstin likes exploring the nearby hiking trails and reading fiction (especially things written by students/faculty from the U of I).

  • Mina Mendoza

    Mina Mendoza received her bachelors from Southern Illinois University and is currently working towards her masters here at UIUC. During her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and hanging out with her family.

  • Julia Makela

    Julia Makela, PhD is the Senior Director of LAS Career Services, where she leads initiatives to advance students’ career development competencies throughout their college experience. She has a deep passion for inspiring and empowering students in their education and career pursuits. Mentoring, individual coaching, and teaching career courses are often the highlights of her day. Julia is a Certified Career Counselor, National Career Development Association (NCDA) Fellow, and member of the NCDA Board of Directors (2020 – present). Beyond the office, Julia is enthusiastic about hiking and adventure racing, and also enjoys quiet times tea gardening, crocheting, and hanging out with family.

  • Kimberly Eiermann

    Kimberly Eiermann is the LAS General Curriculum Academic Advisor. She has a Masters of Education from the University of Illinois. At this stage in her life, she find immense joy in her family and fulfilling work with students, guiding them on their educational journeys. Her goal in life is to embrace the “Whatisness,” a philosophy that encourages her to savor and appreciate every moment of her life. She believes in finding meaning and fulfillment in each experience and cherishing the beauty in every step of the journey. #EmbraceTheMoment

  • Holli Hazelwood

    Holli Hazelwood is the Academic Program Coordinator for the Global Leaders Program. One of my aspirations is to visit all seven continents, and I am currently at ten countries visited. I have a background in tech and project management.

  • Darrell Hunter

    Darrell Hunter II is the Director of First-Year Experience for the Student Academic Affairs Office. The LAS FYE Program helps to ensure that first-year and transfer students have a successful transition both academically and socially to the University of Illinois. As a football player at Bowling Green State University, Darrell earned a BS in Human Development and Family Studies, and an MEd in Workforce Education and Development. He is currently a doctoral candidate in the Educational Psychology Program at the University of Toledo.