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  • Ellen Elghammer

    Mar 12, 2025 10:15 am |  1 View

    My name is Ellen and I have lived in Central Illinois my whole life, and I am a proud UIUC two time graduate! I studied Social Work for my undergrad and graduate degrees and worked in case management and counseling to start my career. I transitioned to working in higher education in 2021, starting at Parkland College as an Admissions Advisor. After 3.5 years, I decided to make the transition across town, and I now work as the Coordinator of Recruitment of Admissions at LAS. I love working with students and helping them through their academic journey, and I especially love working with underrepresented populations and nontraditional students.   When I’m not working, I am usually outside walking, feeding the local geese (food that’s healthy for them, not bread!), hanging out with my two cats, or reading. 

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  • Ryan Howard

    Mar 10, 2025 2:45 pm |  1 View

    Ryan Howard is the Assistant Director, Recruitment & Admissions. He has a B.A. in Interpersonal Communication and an M.A. in Human Communication Processes – Pedagogy. Ryan has a background in teaching Communication Studies courses such as Public Speaking, Interpersonal, and Intercultural. He also has a background of working in admissions and recruitment. Outside of work, he loves being a dad to two awesome kiddos, Josie and Maverick. He also enjoys exercising, coaching sports, and playing hockey in his free time. Ryan is a very friendly and outgoing person, willing to assist anyone in need, and always happy to help!

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  • Matthew Rooney

    Mar 7, 2025 12:00 pm |  1 View

    Matthew is a former student of LAS and graduated with a bachelors in Sociology. He has a background in training and development, and loves supporting the AAP team in his current role. Outside of work, Matthew enjoys video games, watching basketball, spending time with his fiancé, and being a mediator for the many petty disputes between their cat and dog.

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  • Isabel Molina Guzman

    Mar 5, 2025 3:45 pm |  1 View

    Isabel Molina Guzman is Associate Dean of LAS Student Academic Affairs and Professor of Communication and Latina/Latino Studies.

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  • Sara Henschen

    Feb 7, 2025 9:15 am |  6  Views

    Sara Henschen is the newest member of the LAS Records Advising team and currently lives in White Heath, IL. She and her husband (Jacob) have one son (Ben) who is in third grade and one dog (Percy). Previously, Sara served as the Office Support Specialist at the Native American House on campus. She enjoys baking/cooking, being outdoors, and swimming. One fun fact about Sara is that she spent 12+ years working with the Anishinaabe of White Earth Reservation in northern Minnesota.

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  • Sharnelle Kimbrough

    Jan 3, 2025 2:00 pm |  1 View

    Sharnelle was born and raised in Champaign County, she has lived in southern states such as Georgia and Virginia but kept finding her way back to Illinois. Sharnelle has an Associate of Arts in Business and is currently pursuing her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. She enjoys traveling, exploring, the theatre, art of all kinds, being out in nature, festivals, and spending time with her children.

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  • Jose De La O

    Jun 10, 2024 8:45 am |  36  Views

    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.

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  • MJ Licht

    Sep 13, 2023 8:15 am |  19  Views

    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.

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  • Danette Griffith

    Sep 11, 2023 2:45 pm |  12  Views

    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.

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  • Kirstin Wilcox

    Sep 11, 2023 1:45 pm |  39  Views

    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).

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