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  • Julien Berthelon

    Apr 21, 2025 1:15 pm |  159  Views

    Julien Berthelon, Ph.D., is originally from Mâcon, in the Burgundy region of France. After graduating from the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon, he began teaching French at Clark University in 2012, and two years later served as a French Instructor and co-director of the French House at Macalester College. In 2015, he came to the University of Illinois to pursue an MA in French Studies, followed by a Ph.D., which he completed in August 2024. His doctoral research focused on representations of masculine insecurities in 19th- and 20th-century French literature as well as early French cinema.

    Over the course of nearly ten years at UIUC, Julien has taught a wide range of courses in the Department of French and Italian and has been actively involved in various cultural initiatives on campus. Among other projects, he co-directed the French Ciné-club and collaborated for several years on the Digital Edition of the Correspondence of Marcel Proust with the Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

    He is excited to continue supporting LAS’s mission of fostering intercultural engagement and meaningful connections.

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  • Matthew Rooney

    Mar 7, 2025 12:00 pm |  17  Views

    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 |  16  Views

    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 |  50  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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  • Jose De La O

    Jun 10, 2024 8:45 am |  119  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 |  52  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 |  44  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 |  65  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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  • Julia Makela

    Sep 11, 2023 9:30 am |  25  Views

    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.

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  • Ana Garner

    Sep 11, 2023 9:15 am |  126  Views

    Ana Esther Garner, Ph.D., is an academic professional specializing in the international educational field. As a specialist in education abroad and advocate for diversifying education abroad programming, Dr. Garner is the lead Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion advisor and co-chair of the UIUC DEI and Access Committee as well as the member of the Diversity Abroad Community of Practice focused on Asia and the Pacific Islands.

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