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Alumni Class Notes
NEIU Alumni Class Notes by Decade
Keep up with your former classmates with Alumni Class Notes! Did you find a job or earn a promotion? Win an award? Get married? Tell us about it!
1960s
Patricia A. Wyman (B.Ed., 1965 General Education, Elementary Education)
Wyman is a psychotherapist and has published a book, "Three Keys to Self-Understanding." She has two children and five grandchildren. She recently wrote to the Northeastern Illinois University Alumni Association and stated “I'm very appreciative of my time at what is now Northeastern.”
Lois R. Kurowski (B.A., 1968 Elementary Education, Mathematics)
Kurowski went from working in the accounts receivable department to customer profile administrator for ACCO Brands, an office products leader.
1970s
David Helfand (B.A., 1972 Mathematics, Secondary Education and Psychology)
After two years volunteering with Orphans of the Storm animal shelter in Deerfield, Helfand is now an Adoption Counselor with PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) of Chicago. He also enjoys taking his dogs, Roxy and Bounce, to visit with the seniors at the Lieberman Center in Skokie. Helfand retired as coordinator of career counseling at Northeastern Illinois University.
Maria F. Martinez (B.A., 1972 Spanish)
Martinez published "Cuban Stories about People, Terraces, Food, Revolution and Good-bye's,” a memoir of her childhood in Cuba before and during the communist revolution. Martinez retired from Citigroup after a career of 25 years and is now an independent specialist in integrated marketing.
Charles A. Towsley (B.S., 1972 Biology)
Towsley is currently founding president of Sante Shipping Lines, Miami, Fla. He was the former port director of the Port of Miami (1998-2006).
Robert Bluestone (B.A., 1975 Political Science)
Bluestone is running for City Council in Port St. Lucie, Fla. He was also former city commissioner of Ft. Pierce, Fla. and retired as senior vice president of Harbor Federal Savings Bank.
Robert V. Cunningham (M.A., 1975 Inner City Studies) Cunningham has served as an elected member of the Board of Directors for the Retired Teachers Association of Chicago since the year 2009.
Clifford R. Wagner (B.A., 1975 Secondary Education, Physical Education; M.A. ’01, Grad-Ed Lead: School Lead)
Wagner is a teacher at Bogan H.S in Chicago. He is also vice president for teenage youth at the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (IAHPERD) and president-elect for the Illinois High School Association and the College Driver Education Association.
Luis V. Gutierrez (B.A., 1976 English)
Congressman Gutierrez was named Hispanic of the Year by Panorama Hispano, a New York based paper dedicated to exposing news to the Hispanic community.
1980s
Toni L. Armstrong, Jr. (MA.S., 1984 Teaching Children with Learning Disabilities)
Armstrong recently launched BLAST, a website powered by Meetup.com where "lesbians, bi women, transwomen, and our straight female allies have opportunities to socialize and network around their interests, to develop leadership skills, and to gain more LGBT and feminist cultural literacy."
Daniel J. Yee (B.S., 1988 Computer Science)
Yee passed the MCSE in September 2009 which included certification in Comptia A+ (2005), Network+ (2006), PDI+ (2011), Microsoft's MCP (2006), and MCSA (2008). He currently works for the Chicago Police Department IT division as a Microsoft systems engineer.
1990s
Gabriella Filippi
(M.S., 1991 Exercise Science)
Filippi recently wrote "Celebrate Your Seasons," an inspirational book on love and god, published by Rowman and Littlefield.
Basia Emano (B.A., 1993 Education, Leisure Studies)
Emano is an independent casting director who has served on independent films including "Dog Jack," "Batman Begins," "Spiderman II," "Drunkboat," "What Women Want" and "A League of Their Own." She has also worked on several television series such as "Judge Alex," "Cristina's Court," "Texas Justice" and "Rozmowy w Toku." She is currently working as marketing director for the Lira Ensemble (a not-for-profit professional performing arts company comprised of a Symphony, female vocal ensemble, a chamber chorus, a children's chorus and a dance company) and will contribute to the upcoming feature film "Jerzy," to be produced by the famed and multi-talented Paul Hensler ("Star Wars").
Kevin R. McCormack (B.A., 1993 Board of Governors)
McCormick relocated to Nashville, Tennessee from Atlanta, Georgia after accepting a position as a senior financial analyst with Hospital Corp of America.
Neil Slater (B.A., 1993 Speech)
Slater is pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Saginaw Valley State University.
Ivan S. Muslin (B.A., 1994 Political Science)
Muslin earned a Ph.D. in business administration at the University of Memphis in 2011. He is an assistant professor of management at Lewis College of Business at Marshall University.
Torrey A. Rinaldo (B.A., 1997 Management and Marketing; M.S.A. ’06, Accounting)
In addition to double degrees from NEIU, Rinaldo received a master’s degree from Loyola University of Chicago 2003 and Ph.D. Madison University 2010.
Dean J. Young (M.S., 1998 Exercise Science/Cardio Rehabilitation)
Young was recently hired by SPRI, a leading manufacturer and distributor of resistance exercise products for the health and fitness industry, as National Account Manager.
Jose Rico (B.A., 1999 University without Walls)
Rico was appointed by President Obama as the director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics in 2011. The Initiative is in charge of expanding academic excellence and improving educational opportunities for Hispanics for President Obama and Secretary Duncan. Rico received the Northeastern Illinois University Distinguished Alumnus Award at the December 2010 commencement ceremony.
Francine L. Sheppard (B.A., 1999 Teacher Education)
Sheppard is an MBA student at Kaplan University and expects to complete her degree in 2013. She earned a master’s degree in educational administration leadership from Grand Canyon University in March 2011, and graduated from Joseph Business School with a certificate of completion in June 2007.
Julio J. Valle (B.A., 1999 Mathematics, Secondary Education Certification: Mathematics)
Valle was recognized by the Latino American Who's Who, a New York based publication, for his accomplishments in the field of education. Currently, Valle is principal of Sawgrass Bay Elementary in Sunrise, Fla.
2000s
Luke N. Bobek (B.A., 2001 Speech)
Bobek is the director of sales for industrial and institutional at Earth Friendly Products, an environmental cleaning products provider. Previously, he was the Midwest sales and marketing manager of Chase Products Company and the regional sales manager of Claire-Sprayway Inc. Bobek recently purchased a home in Sugar Grove, Ill.
Lisa M. Stevenson (M.A., 2001 Linguistics)
Stevenson was recently appointed principal of Neil Armstron Elementary in Hoffman Estates, Ill. She will begin in July 2012.
Sean P. Fleming (B.A., 2002 Criminal Justice)
Fleming recently announced his engagement to Christina Nerbonne.
Valerie A. Betts (B.A., 2003 Board of Governors)
Betts received a National Board Certification in 2011 as an early/middle childhood music mission trip leader and organizer to Kenya and Ghana.
Carmen I. Lebron (B.A., 2003 Speech)
Lebron earned a master’s degree from Benedictine University in 2010.
Louis E. Martinez (B.A., 2004 Board of Governors)
Martinez currently works for the Chicago Police Department and is the president of the Illinois Academy of Criminology.
John J. Ross (B.A., 2004 Board of Governors)
Ross, a North Dakota State assistant soccer coach, was named head coach at Northern Illinois University. He was previously the director for the North Dakota Youth Soccer Association Olympic Development Program.
Andrea V. Belard (B.S., 2005 Business Administration)
Belard graduated from DePaul College of Law in May 2010. She is currently practicing as a licensed attorney in family law in Chicago.
Katie Muhtaris (B.A., 2005 Teacher Education)
Muhtaris earned a master's degree in teacher leadership from Roosevelt University and achieved National Board Certification as a middle childhood generalist. She was recently featured in the Comprehension and Collaboration DVD by Stephanie Harvey and Harvey Daniels and will be featured in the upcoming new edition of Best Practice by Harvey Daniels, Steve Zemelman, and Art Hyde. She also works as an education consultant for Stephanie Harvey, with schools and districts across the nation to implement balanced literacy, comprehension instruction, and meaningful technology integration. Muhtaris has presented at the International Reading Association Conference, The National Council of Teachers of English, and The Illinois Computing Educators Conference. She also founded a blog called "Inquiry Live in the Classroom" that talks about her teaching career; using inquiry based teaching methods, implementing reading and writing workshop, and meaningful uses of technology as a tool for learning.
Aida L. Perez (B.A., 2005 Early Childhood Education)
Perez is currently working for the Head Start Program across the city of Chicago managing the day to day operations, budget, and monitoring compliance. She is involved with Imagine Learning English; a literacy program used in classrooms. She completed a degree in educational leadership and administration from NEIU.
Eric P. Rojas (B.A., 2005 Political Science; Board of Governors)
Rojas completed five consecutive years as top 5 percent Realtor in sales for Chicago Association of Realtors. He was recently selected chair of Winnemac Park Neighbors and delegate to 47th Ward Alderman's Ward Council. Most recently, Rojas was appointed by President Hahs to serve on the NEIU Alumni Advisory Board.
Betty J. Howard (B.A., 2006 Board of Governors)
Howard recently retired as a community supervisor at a Senior Volunteer Program of the Jane Addams Hull House Association (JAHHA) in Chicago.
Sofia Huitron (B.A., 2006 Bilingual, Bicultural Education)
Huitron works for the Addison School District as a bilingual third grade teacher and recently was granted tenure. She is pursuing a master's degree in educational technology and is expected to graduate in December 2012.
Rodrigo Garcia (B.S., 2007 Finance)
Garcia was appointed assistant director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs by Governor Pat Quinn in 2011. Garcia serves as the second-in-command over an agency with 1,300 employees, numerous veteran homes throughout the state including one under design and development, various programs and services divisions, and supports Illinois' 1.3 million veterans.
Laura A. Hoeflich (B.S., 2007 Biology)
Hoeflich recently announced her engagement to Robert Kalas.
Daniel T. Kamka (B.A., 2007 Mathematics)
Kamka was promoted from a position as a Network Operations Center Support Engineer to an Operations Center Administrator I at Classified Ventures LLC. He graduated with a master’s degree in science from Roosevelt University in 2010.
Diana M. Lanza (B.A., 2008 Mathematics)
Lanza earned a master’s degree in information systems from DePaul University.
Corrina J. Nemec (B.A., 2009 Elementary Education, Teacher Education)
Nemec received the prestigious ISTA New Teacher of the Year Award for 2010-2011 for outstanding achievements in science education. She is currently the eighth grade science teacher at Monroe Elementary School (CPS), and also the science department chair. She participated in the MSI 2010-11 workshops for teachers, and is fruitfully organizing and tending the school garden. Nemec is planning an after-school science club, and is the school's science fair coordinator.
2010s
Tiffany M. Doan (B.A., 2010 Psychology)
Doan is currently pursuing her master’s program at the University of Limerick, Ireland studying applied social research.
Steven V. Jerome (B.A., 2010 Mathematics)
Jerome recently started a Ph.D. program at Columbia University in theoretical biophysics and chemistry. He was also awarded a NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and the Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship which led him to presenting research at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society.
Joanna P. Kowal (B.S., 2010 Biology)
Kowal is a certified pharmacy technician at Walgreens. She is completing her master's degree at Saint Joseph's College.
Linda L. Stovall-Suazo (M.A., 2010 Inner City Studies)
Stovall-Suazo is an MIT special education high school teacher. She recently received a LBS1 certification and is currently working on an ESL certification. This upcoming summer she will begin a Ph.D program at Capella University.
Melinda Vazquez (B.A., 2010 Social Work)
Vazquez earned a master’s degree in social work from UIC in 2011. She currently works as a Behavior Health Clinician for high intensive adolescent services at Resurrection Health Care in Chicago, Ill.
Angel L. Velez (B.A., 2010 Justice Studies) Velez received an ENLACE Leadership Institute Fellowship and is currently working as a Graduate Assistant with Proyecto Pa'Lante at NEIU.
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