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USF Announces Spring 2021 Dean’s List

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) congratulates the following students who have been named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2021 semester. Students who have attained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher at the end of a semester in which they have taken at least twelve credit hours are named to the Dean’s List. Students residing in USF’s home state of Illinois are listed first below, followed by students from other U.S. states, followed by international students. Illinois Algonquin: Madelyn Barrett Aurora: Saba Aamir, Heather Reier and Lucy Stromsta Bartlett: Diane Gumble and Anna Rychtarczyk Beecher: Hannah Blankenberger, Kaylie Sippel and Emily Vlach Berwyn: Veronica Navarrete and Pedro Ocampo Bloomington: Molly Harej Bolingbrook: Amanda Apanco, Carolina Huerta, Jorge Navas, Allison Neverouski, Lissette Puente, Ruben Reyes, Michelle Robert, Josue Tinoco, Ryan Webb and Katarina Welsh Braceville: Kathryn Gutzman Braidwood: Bobbi Herrera, Vanessa McLean, Nicholas Munafo and Thomas Sforza Burbank: Fada Nassan and Fadia Nassan Channahon: Dana Ackerson, Elizabeth Badalamenti, Jessica Hampton, Hannah Knight, Jordan Missig, MaKenzie Munson, Logan Stefanich and Makayla Sundine Chatham: Carter St. Clair Chicago: Cyril Aninyei, Bevin Carter, Linli Chen, Aileen Duran, Marc Gonzalez, Dana Jennings, Bryzhane Johnson, Carleen Jones, Terra Metz, Jose Munoz, Elizabeth Pacheco-McBride, Anthony Piegari, Daniela Robles, Leah Sims and Emilia Torres Chicago Ridge: Jennifer Balsan Cicero: Giselle Lopez Coal City: Avery Hannig, Julie Sander and Abbey Spesia Coal Valley: Eric Maffie Country Club Hills: Briana Washington Crest Hill: Alejandro Almazan, Danielle Oldenburg and Christopher Schager Crestwood: Skyler Safi Crete: Alyssa Vann Crystal Lake: Matthew Becker Custer Park: Peyton Garrelts and Brittany Housman Darien: Mary O’Malley Decatur: Erma Porter Deer Park: Amanda Casey Dekalb: Joshua Johnston Dwight: Kelly Olha Elgin: Jacquelyn Boydston and Holly Helsper Elmhurst: Drita Dervishi Elwood: Clarissa Del Rio, Rachel Hunter and David Paul Frankfort: Kevin Block, Jarret Gmazel, Kelli Jordan, Claire Wills and Richard Zielinski Gillespie: Ally Clay Glen Carbon: Jalen Cooper Glen Ellyn: Stephanie Woods Greenville: Caleb Campbell Hampshire: Kevin Kardas Hanover Park: Jennifer Vazquez Saraul Highland Park: Amanda Simale Hillside: Michael Johnson Hoffman Estates: Traci Morris Homer Glen: Fatimah Abuhasna, Stephanie Behland, James Grill, Paige Kobylarczyk, Amanda Kouba, Lauren Pikulski and Madeleine Smietanski Joliet: Madeline Adamic, Desiree Anderson, Jessica Arrollo, Matthew Attard, Andre Baez Martinez, Jonathan Berry, Breanna Blackmon, Martine Boetto, Ellie Butusov, Rosaisela Cabrera, Daisy Campos, Iliana Casillas, Kassandra Cazares, Cindy Chavez, Esmeralda Chavez, Christina Conne, Rachel Coop, Nicholas Diaz, Liam Eldridge, Robert Elkins, Cynthia Esquivel, Seyla Evans, Alondra Flores, Suzanne Fonck, Hunter Fuss, De’Whon Gavin, Robert Gilbert, Samantha Guzman, Sarah Hallow, Matthew Hamilton, Josel Hernandez, Nicholas Hjerpe, Jeanette Ibarra, Aireka Jackson, Stefan Jakovljevic, James Jaskowiak, Ryan Jones, Colin Kelly, Ryan King, Samantha Kohrt, Mark Kuzmicki, Vincent Lettiere, Andrew Lewis, Zhaobo Liu, Denisse Lizano, Alexander Lopez, Deyanira Magana, Alexus Maldonado, Shalanda Mallard, Mia Martinez, Hanah Mastandrea, William Mastin, Cheridan Matan, Mary Mathieu, Michael Mendoza, Sebastian Mireles, Hannah Mitchell, Laura Murguia-Iniguez, Alondra Ordaz, Daniel Orozco, Diana Ortega, Nayely Ortiz, Brittany Osborne, Michalyn Parker, Lizbeth Perez, Rodolfo Perez, Taylor Robinson, Suzanna Rocha, Angelina Rodriguez, Raul Rosendo, Franco Rota, Brayan Ruiz, Monica Saragossa, Carina Saucedo, Aron Servin, Victor Sotelo, Anne Starasinich, Janelle Marie Suriaga, Oscar Tellez, Erick Tenorio, Tyler Theobald, Ignacio Torres, Nayeli Torres, Elizabeth Tuck, Jazmine Vieyra, Paola Villafuerte, Haley Willner, Amanda Wisslead, Amanda Withall, Brooklyn Withey and Maoyun Xu Justice: Kayla Sistos Kankakee: Luke Whalen Kewanee: Santos Contreras Kinsman: Sara Cahill Lemont: Lien Chu and Edyta Mikos Lisle: Evan Heise Lockport: Rylee Carpenter, Russell Egan, Eric Gasienica, William Gorski, John Hejl, Jacob Karli, Erica Long, Alexis Marroquin, Joshua Martinez, Hannah Pacheco, Elizabeth Ponce, Samantha Raspopovich, Nicole Troha, Stanislaw Walus, Rachel Webber, John Weis and Nolan Weis Loda: Jennifer Nemeth Lombard: Donovan Summers Macomb: Carter Fayhee Manhattan: Gabriella Briseno, Gregory Briseno, Sydney Butterfield, Codi Cabay, Carolyn Dudeck, Cameron Geigner, Christine Martinez, Miranda Roth, Hannah Schroeder, Mallory Stover and Tegan Young Manteno: Josie Graffeo Marengo: Jake LaSota Marseilles: Eva Bruno, Mara Bruno, Victoria Pavnica and Hannah Schilling Matteson: Lea Klucinski Midlothian: Olivia Burbatt, Jessica Kwiatkowski, Canyon Novick, Allison Ramsey and Megan Ramsey Minooka: Sabija Bobeski, Brandon Brodzinski, Jason Countryman, Julia Hill, Hailey Hoge, Seth Joder, Mariano Kotrba, Martina Kotrba, Ana Lopez, Kiersten Morse, Jacqueline VanDolson, Carl Vitale and Vanessa Withall Mokena: Amanda Bednarczyk, Katie Blogg, Emma DiFiore, Bridget Jeffries, Christopher Kelley, John Raspante and Kiana Sikich Monee: Querida De Frias, Ramzi Ramadan and Jessica Scroppo Montgomery: Haley Douglas Morris: Sabrina Baftiri, Vincent Bazzarone, Hannah Berdahl, Patricia Cumba, Cassidy Flatness, Lauren Huebner, Jacob Hulbert, Matthew Lopez, Julia Santiago, Kaitlin Smith, Victoria Sztapka and Meagan Warzynski Mundelein: Karen Madrigal Naperville: Cosme Lozano New Lenox: Alyia Cady, Danielle Callahan, Joshua Cosgrove, Lindsay Czarnowski, Elizabeth Donovan, Jaclyn Duske, Madison Eckberg, Lucas Hancock, Sarah Heimberg, William Higgins, John McGuire, Grace Monahan, Jacob Pott, Isabella Roesing, John Saffrahn, Jessica Sumrow and Lauren Wozniak Oak Forest: Shannon O’Brien and Carly Vidovic Oak Lawn: Lucas Wessel Olney: Sherrie Brock Onarga: Michelle Andrade Orland Park: Nadeen Mafadee, Emily Schrader and Douglas Stoodley Oswego: Haley Bakes, Cristina Cebanu, Megan Krisch, Jack Lemke, Marissa Maltese, Afreen Mushtaheed, Conner Ruddy and Lauren Tims Ottawa: Caitlin Bruemmer Palos Heights: Bridget McDermott and Maria Ogrodny Palos Hills: Jamie Stolfo Park Forest: Chukwuemeka Egbujor and Nicole Krizmanich Pekin: Crystal Ulrich Peoria: Vada Arndt Peotone: Priscilla Brott and Erik Cioffi Plainfield: Megan Allensworth, Jenna Anderson, Calie Banting, Jacob Bayuk, Hope Blandin, Chelsea Bolanos, Jack Brick, Andres Castellanos, Jessica Courchene, Ryan Daly, Sarah Deffenbaugh, Eric Fitzmaurice, Samantha Fritts, Graziella Gialo, Dylan Gilbert, Riley Harper, Mary Kate Hynek, Justin Jasper, Jessica Jefferson, Micole Johnson, Margaret Klebenow, Matthew Lauterbach, Megan Little, Joseph Lizzio, Laney May, Alexander Niebuda, Lydia Noble, Erica Passo, Jorge Perez, Brianna Quintero, Kelsey Rice, Sydney Riggs, Arely Sanchez, Aaron Seidler, Shannon Smith, Samantha Sobota, Hanna Spodarek, Samantha Stearns, Odessa Villarreal, and Natalie Zielinski Plano: Alyssa Dolan Posen: Denise Lopez Rochelle: Katherine Bakken Rock Falls: Rebecca Kinney Rockdale: Crystal Calderon, Adrian Guzman and Jaycee Jarosz Rockford: Victoria Bravo and Craig Kampmier Romeoville: Esther Angomas, Alissa Victoria Araneta, Dominique Cagampang, Susan Davey, Calvin Hartsfield, Jacob Hubbs, Javier Mariano, Madison Massaro, Yazmine Medina, Logan Miller, Magdalena Munoz, Eric Nelson, Nhu Nguyen, Omar Paramo, Vetona Sarpong, Mikeya Stephen, Jazmyn Warner and Oscar Yepez Round Lake: Dariana Ortiz Schaumburg Gabrielle Paelmo Seneca: Madison Maloney, Alexis Murphy, Evelyn Odum and Silas Odum Shorewood: Aryka Adelmann, Alexis Ceballos, Kathryn Drey, Mark Gezik, Monika Gomez, Audrey Herro, Carleen Krier, Nicole Kulon, Anna Nguyen, Rio Strama and Kallen Vernick Spring Grove: Lacey Gardner Spring Valley: Leslie Delgado Streator: Mariah Horton and Charleen Mascote Tinley Park: Mervat Abdallah, Grace Alles, Hannah Bolden, Tatiana Chavez, Joshua Kirnbauer, IL: Marcus Lapore, Brianna Leeper, Elyse Panzella, Amari Sims and Danielle Stefanski Villa Park: Matthew Knudtson West Chicago: Daniel Goetsch Westchester: John Stevens Wheeling: Kelli Pietrowski Wilmington: Brad Abderhalden, Kassidy Andrews, Jonathon Gholson, Julianna Handorf, Leah Hiles, Cameron Holman, Justin Janulis, Chloe Kirsch, Richard Mroz, Kendall Peatross and McKenna Quigley Wood Dale: Jose Sanchez Woodstock: Bailey Wilk Yorkville: Gianna Arielle Dalangin and Michael Nape Alaska Anchorage: Alec Dudley Florida Bradenton: Taylor Petz Clearwater: Dalton Jenner Hollywood: Rayvaugn Choute Tampa: Morgan Peters Georgia Conyers: Eric Estrada Indiana Cedar Lake: Christina Lorenzatti Crown Point: Zachary Hoover Lowell: Alexia Bibakis Munster: Michael Prendergast Saint John: Madisen Tucker Valparaiso: Samantha Hatagan Wanatah: Justene Charlesworth Kentucky Prospect: Thomas Willis Michigan Kalamazoo: Jonathan Wolf Missouri Bridgeton: Eric Estrada Lopez Des Peres: Michael Nickel Saint Louis: Benjamin Phelps New Hampshire Amherst: Audrey Johnston Jaffrey: Kayla Struzik New Jersey Colts Neck: Robert Romanik Nevada Las Vegas: Brandon Gibbs and Jordyn Gobrick Pahrump: Thomas Buechele Sparks: Scott Walsh Pennsylvania Du Bois: Autumn Barbey South Carolina Mount Pleasant: Lori Carithers Tennessee Spring Hill: Cameron Pyle Texas Denton: Timothy Nicholson Wisconsin Burlington: Kya Kafar Random Lake: Kendra Bullard Wisconsin Dells: Sarah Vandermolen International Alcobendas, Spain: Maria Cruz Ganei Tiqwa, Israel: Nadav Gerner Aharon Goiania, Brazil: Sergio Peres Hull, United Kingdom: Morgan Cattle-McKenzie Lasarte-Oria, Spain: Aitor Anabitarte Soroa Ricaurte, Colombia: Daniel Espinosa Rozelle, New South Wales, Australia: Lewis Holey Saint Petersburg, Russia: Maria Kuzminskaya Saint Verand, France: Noellie Danielle Renee Inard Suzhou/Jiangsu, China: Xingwei Chen and Zhouyang Yu Taoyuan City, Taiwan: Sheng-Ju Ting : : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 52,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose. # # #
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Three MERIT Scholarship Recipients Announced

Joliet, Ill. – Taking on the challenge of inspiring the next generation of students is a responsibility that teachers proudly accept. For Jasmine Flores, Isabel Jaquez and Crystal Mendoza, who are the three newest MERIT (Multicultural Education Recruitment in Teaching) Scholarship recipients at the University of St. Francis (USF), that challenge is one they are ready to assume. The MERIT program is a partnership between USF, Joliet Township High School District 204, Joliet Public Schools District 86 and the Joliet business community. The MERIT Scholarship provides scholarship funds for qualifying students of color who major in education at USF. Recipients are required to teach in a Joliet school for either four years (Joliet Township High School District 204 and other area seniors planning to attend USF for four years) or two years (Joliet Junior College students planning to transfer to USF for two years). Ultimately, the program is intended to help recruit, prepare, place and induct a new generation of teachers of color for Joliet’s schools. As the three recipients prepare to begin their respective educational journeys in the fall, they are thankful for the opportunity presented to them through the MERIT program. “To be a MERIT Scholar, it means that I am given the opportunity to learn and grow into the teacher I want to be. It means that I am learning about the community I will be working in and connecting with students to prepare myself as an educator. As a MERIT Scholar, I am being trained to be a leader and an influence not only to the children, but to everyone who surrounds me,” said Flores, who graduated from Joliet Central in 2018 and then recently graduated from Joliet Junior College. “To me, being a MERIT Scholar means that I am going to get the opportunity to be the best possible teacher I can be for my students. I also get to be for someone else, what I never got as a little girl, a teacher who looks like me. While all of my teachers were amazing, none of them looked like me nor had a similar background as me or had the same passion that I do for my culture. Being a MERIT Scholar means that I am going to be a teacher in a community where there are many children of color, and I get to be their teacher. My students will walk into my classroom and see someone who is like them, someone who can show them they can be any they want to be regardless of where they came from or what color their skin is,” said Jaquez, who is a graduate of Bolingbrook High School. For Mendoza, a graduate of Joliet West High School, the opportunity is an example of a dream coming true. “To be a MERIT Scholar means the world to me because it will help me turn my dream into a reality. Further, it will allow me to share my experience with a diverse group of students,” she said. While there are many opportunities that come with a career in education, the three newest MERIT Scholars are driven by the impact they aspire to have on their future students. “I am looking forward to being a teacher because I want to be the one who gets to inspire the next generation to believe in themselves and what they can achieve. No matter who they are or where they come from, I will always want to bring the best out of my students, even if it starts with a smile,” said Flores. Jaquez believes that building relationships with students is an important characteristic of an effective classroom. “I look forward most to building relationships with my students and watching them grow as students and as people. Building relationships is so important to a classroom setting. Students learn better when they trust and know their teacher. Even though I have not met my students and many of them probably don’t even exist yet, I love them, and I look forward to getting to know each and every one of them,” she said. Mendoza also points to the importance of the relationship between teacher and student. “I look forward to getting to know the students and working with them to reach our goals. I not only want to share my knowledge, but I also want to cultivate relationships and make great memories together,” she said. Specifically, all three MERIT Scholarship recipients look forward to the opportunity to teach in Joliet schools. “As a student that lived in the Joliet area for most of my life, I grew to love the diverse atmosphere and the acceptance that was given in the school system. Even though I was surrounded with positive energy, there was still a divide between teachers and with the students; there were not enough minority teachers to balance with the minority populations of the schools,” said Flores, who would like to teach middle school social sciences. “Since I grew up in the Joliet public school systems, I had friends of different cultural and economic backgrounds and was able to understand and connect with those different from me. As a teacher, I want to be able the build relationships with my students through the understanding of the cultural norms and using them to create a unique curriculum that will inspire students, rather than bore students. I want to pursue education because I want to be the missing voice in faculty discussions to stand up for minorities and to give an insider perspective on what will benefit the majority.” “It is not a secret that many kids in this world do not have someone at home who cheers them on, who tells them they are deeply loved and valued. I want to be a teacher because every child deserves to know they are loved and that they are worthy, every child deserves someone in their corner. My mission as a teacher is to be a confidant and a cheerleader for any student that needs one. I know that I can have a positive effect on the future by teaching every single student I have that they are treasured and valued,” said Jaquez, who would like to teach in elementary school. “When one thinks about the gifts and talents they have to offer, why not use them to make a difference in the lives of young students. In my case, I would like to share the talents that I have to offer with students and my community. Ever since elementary school, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. My dedication, interest, and passion for the field of education are some of the gifts that I have to offer, and I want to share them,” said Mendoza, who would like to become a high school U.S. history teacher. Visit stfrancis.edu/merit for more information on the MERIT Program at USF. : : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 52,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.
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