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  • Julie Higgs

    Sep 7, 2023 2:00 pm |  12  Views

    Julie Higgs grew up in the rolling hills of southwest Wisconsin in a small college town. Her degrees include microbiology, chemistry, zoology, and education.  Instead of heading into teaching after her master’s degree, she spent time working in biology labs which oddly led to various positions in campus administration.  Along the way, she has dabbled in professional costuming, crop scouting, teaching crafting techniques, and retail management. She has a passion to help students.  When not around campus, you can find Julie in her yard growing flowers, watching BBC mysteries, telling bad puns, or creating things with various media.

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  • Adam Reedy

    Aug 31, 2023 10:15 am |  47  Views

    Adam Reedy is an Academic Advisor and lifelong Illinoisan with a B.A. and M.A. in Sociology from Northern Illinois University. Adam has worked in a variety of campus areas including student success programs, first-gen student support, multicultural and LGBTQ+ programming, and college advising. Off campus, Adam enjoys reading, gaming, travelling, gardening with his cousins, and chilling with his cats Judas and Jasper. 

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  • Roman Friedman

    Sep 27, 2022 9:45 am |  213  Views

    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.

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  • Allison Holden

    Aug 17, 2021 1:30 pm |  360  Views

    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. 

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  • Cathy Edgar

    Aug 17, 2021 1:30 pm |  5  Views

    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.

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  • Nikia Brown

    Aug 17, 2021 1:00 pm |  213  Views

    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.  

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  • Gabby Elkins

    Aug 13, 2021 3:45 pm |  17  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. 

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  • Raymona Wicks

    Aug 13, 2021 3:45 pm |  146  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.

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  • Sean Beal

    Aug 12, 2021 9:45 am |  53  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.

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  • Anna Chovanec

    Aug 12, 2021 9:00 am |  238  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.

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