blog navigation

LAS BIOS

blog posts

  • Gabby Elkins

    Aug 13, 2021 3:45 pm |  15  Views

    Gabby Elkins graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology.  She has over a decade of experience as a veterinary assistant/tech.  In her free time she enjoys traveling wherever her car will take her, live bluegrass/folk music, lounging with her fiancé and 5 cats, and trying new food and drink. 

    Share this Story

  • Raymona Wicks

    Aug 13, 2021 3:45 pm |  133  Views

    Raymona Wicks has worked at the University of Illinois for more than 10 years positioned in various units across campus. I have my BA in Liberal Studies from UI, Springfield, and completed my Masters here at UIUC in EPOL.  I am now enjoying my journey in LAS and working with students to help them navigate the University system is very rewarding for me. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching movies (love a good action movie) and if I can find a good DJ you might see me out dancing or doing a little karaoke.

    Share this Story

  • Sean Beal

    Aug 12, 2021 9:45 am |  36  Views

    Sean Beal started his current role as an AAP Academic Advisor in 2023. Prior to UIUC, he played and coached baseball at Millikin University where he also earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. After that, he worked in admissions at the University of Chicago Booth MBA program and Parkland College before joining LAS in 2020 as a Records Officer. He earned his EdM in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education in 2023. In his free time, Sean enjoys watching Yankees baseball and Bears football, following UIUC athletics, and exploring local restaurants with his wife.

    Share this Story

  • Anna Chovanec

    Aug 12, 2021 9:00 am |  213  Views

    Anna Chovanec is a Pittsburgh, PA native and made Central Illinois her home in June 2016. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Penn State University and her EdM in Education Policy & Organizational Leadership from UIUC. She joined the LAS SAAO team in April of 2017 as an Admissions and Records Officer and in October 2019, started a new role as an Academic Advisor. Anna loves all things sports and tries to attend as many events as she can. She resides in Tuscola, IL with her husband, Eric, her son, Grady, her daughter, Lumi, and her dog, Hilde.

    Share this Story

  • Steven Cox

    Mar 12, 2019 8:00 am |  1,101  Views

    Steven Cox joined the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in September 2017 as an academic advisor, specifically working with the secondary education minor. Before moving to LAS, he worked in college athletics as academic counselor at Illinois, previously at the University of Wyoming and University of Mississippi. Originally from rural Kentucky and/or Mississippi, he earned his BA in History and MA in Higher Education from the University of Mississippi (Harvard of the South), and is currently pursuing his doctorate in higher education on our campus. Hobbies include being a parent, a student, and any physical or social activity. He resides in Urbana with his wife, two sons, and two dogs.

    Share this Story

  • Ashley Poppy

    Mar 12, 2019 8:00 am |  793  Views

    Ashley Poppy is a transfer advisor in the College of LAS. She completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Western Illinois University. Ashley has worked in an academic advising setting for the past 12 years. She commutes from Bloomington/Normal where she lives with her husband and three kids. 

    Share this Story

  • Tenaya Reifsteck

    Dec 20, 2016 8:00 am |  112  Views

    Tenaya Reifsteck is the academic advisor for dual degrees and Individual Plans of Study for the College of LAS. She completed her bachelor's degree (human development and family studies) and two master’s degrees (elementary education and higher education) here at Illinois. She has a passion for education and enjoys working with people of all ages. She grew up in a small town not too far from campus, and is proud to be an Illini! She currently lives in the same small town where she grew up, along with her husband, daughter, and dog. She loves spending time with her family, attending her daughter's sporting events, reading, watching movies, and shopping.

    Share this Story

  • Kristy Valentin

    Feb 8, 2016 8:00 am |  178  Views

    Kristy Valentin is the Director of the Access and Achievement Program in LAS. She finds joy and passion for working with students in higher education. She is from the East side neighborhood in Chicago but has family in the Lake County area near Six Flags. She enjoys sunrises, scary movies, and smoothies! Kristy lives in Champaign with her partner, twins, and two dogs.

    Share this Story

  • Allison Perry

    Feb 8, 2016 8:00 am |  220  Views

    Allison Perry, a Champaign native, earned her associates degree from Parkland College and her BS from the College of Applied Health Sciences at Illinois. She joined LAS in 2010 and is committed to supporting undergraduate students and making their time here a great and memorable experience. She enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, kids and pets. When not working or taking her kids to their extracurricular activities, she enjoys traveling and attending Illini athletic events. Go Illini! 

    Share this Story

  • Jonathan Elugbadebo

    Feb 8, 2016 8:00 am |  448  Views

    Jonathan Elugbadebo is Associate Director of Recruitment and Admissions where he oversees the recruitment, admissions, yield, and registration of new first-year and transfer students for the College. He joined LAS after working for 7 years in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Jonathan was born and raised in Southern Illinois, but relocated to Central Illinois. He is an alumnus of the University of Illinois, completing a BA in Communication with a minor in Business, as well as an EdM in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership.

    Share this Story