USF Announces Fall 2021 Graduates

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) celebrated its Winter Commencement on Saturday, December 18, to recognize its graduates for the fall 2021 semester. Three in-person ceremonies (College of Education Ceremony at 9 a.m.; College of Business & Health Administration Ceremony at 11:30 a.m.; and the College of Arts & Sciences and Leach College of Nursing Ceremonies at 2 p.m.) were held in USF’s Pat Sullivan Center on the university’s main campus in Joliet. USF congratulates its graduates and wishes them peace, success, and the very best in all of their endeavors. USF Fall 2021 graduates included: College of Arts & Sciences Master’s Degrees Jenna Lanoue (Manteno, IL) Master of Social Work – Social Work Davisha Pulley (Joliet, IL) Master of Social Work – Social Work Bachelor’s Degrees Matthew Attard (Joliet, IL) Bachelor of Arts – Psychology Thiago Bandeira (Joliet, IL) Bachelor of Science – Biology Jacob Bayuk (Plainfield, IL) Bachelor of Arts – Communication & Media Arts Sara Cahill (Kinsman, IL) Bachelor of Arts – English Morgan Cattle-McKenzie (Hull, United Kingdom) Bachelor of Science – Biology Laisha Corona (Joliet, IL) Bachelor of Arts – Psychology Jennifer Duax (Crestwood, IL) Bachelor of Arts – Psychology Katherine Fierro (Chicago, IL) Bachelor of Social Work – Social Work Keely Garbacz (Hickory Hills, IL) Bachelor of Arts – Recreation & Sport Management Amanda Graf (Kankakee, IL) Bachelor of Arts – Psychology Matthew Hamilton (Joliet, IL) Bachelor of Science – Computer Science Brandon Jarosz (New Lenox, IL) Bachelor of Science – Digital Audio Recording Arts Yashleen Kheterpal (Durg, Chhattisgarh, India) Bachelor of Science – Computer Science Martina Kotrba (Minooka, IL) Bachelor of Science – Biology Zhaobo Liu (Joliet, IL) Bachelor of Science – Mathematics & Computer Science Alexander Lopez (Joliet, IL) Bachelor of Arts – Psychology Joshua Martinez (Lockport, IL) Bachelor of Science – Biology Charleen Mascote (Streator, IL) Bachelor of Science – Biology Terra Metz (Chicago, IL) Bachelor of Science – Mathematics-Secondary Kelli Pietrowski (Wheeling, IL) Bachelor of Arts – Psychology Erica Powers (Romeoville, IL) Bachelor of Science – Biology Jose Sanchez (Wood Dale, IL) Bachelor of Arts – Criminal & Social Justice Hannah Schilling (Ottawa, IL) Bachelor of Social Work – Social Work Alexa Valencia-Corona (Decatur, IL) Bachelor of Science – Biology Alyssa Vann (Crete, IL) Bachelor of Arts – Criminal & Social Justice Ryan Webb (Bolingbrook, IL) Bachelor of Science – Digital Audio Recording Arts Brooklyn Withey (Lapeer, MI) Bachelor of Arts – Criminal & Social Justice Maoyun Xu (Joliet, IL) Bachelor of Science – Mathematics & Computer Science College of Business & Health Administration Master’s Degrees Mohammed Alazman (Chicago, IL) Master of Science – Health Administration Abdullah Alshojaa (Chicago, IL) Master of Science – Health Administration Thaddeus Ampadu (Romeoville, IL) Master of Business Administration – Business Administration Temitope Asein (Matteson, IL) Master of Science – Management Wendy Bell (Harker Heights, TX) Master of Science – Health Administration Amy Biggs (Manito, IL) Master of Science – Health Administration Justin Bradley (Beach Park, IL) Master of Business Administration – Business Administration Sherrie Brock (Olney, IL) Master of Science – Health Administration Natalie Burks (East Peoria, IL) Master of Science – Health Administration Bret Byars (Irondale, AL) Master of Science – Health Administration Peter Couri (Plainfield, IL) Master of Science – Health Administration Luke Davis (Herbster, WI) Master of Science – Health Administration David DiLorenzo (Minooka, IL) Master of Business Administration – Business Administration Daniel Duplessis (Lockport, IL) Master of Business Administration – Business Administration Erhiga Ekhama (Rochester, MN) Master of Science – Health Administration Jaclyn Fisher (Arlington, VA) Master of Science – Health Administration Noah Fritz (Bourbonnais, IL) Master of Science – Management Stefanie Gall (Chicago, IL) Master of Science – Health Administration Theresa Gavilan (Gilberts, IL) Master of Science – Health Administration Kira Gleason (Braidwood, IL) Master of Science – Management Xochitl Guzman (San Fernando, CA) Master of Science – Health Administration Erin Hardin (Apollo Beach, FL) Master of Science – Health Administration Kyle Hoffman (Joliet, IL) Master of Business Administration – Business Administration Dasha Humphries (Birmingham, AL) Master of Science – Health Administration Mara Johnson (Naperville, IL) Master of Science – Management Carissa Jones (Whiting, IN) Master of Business Administration – Business Administration Anne Kindelin (Campton Hills, IL) Master of Science – Health Administration Stephanie Klavohn (Naperville, IL) Master of Business Administration – Business Administration Christina Kuzava (Minooka, IL) Master of Business Administration – Business Administration Christine Lawrence (Crete, IL) Master of Business Administration – Business Administration Eriel Lockhart (Chicago, IL) Master of Business Administration – Business Administration Jill Moss (Peoria, IL) Master of Science – Health Administration Susan Muscat (Grosse Ile, MI) Master of Business Administration – Business Administration Ari Norfleet (Bartlett, IL) Master of Science – Management Christopher Novak (Cape Coral, FL) Master of Science – Management Paulette Richardson (Nassau, FC) Master of Science – Training & Development Joshua Schreckengost (Campbell, CA) Master of Science – Health Administration Laketa Simpson (Joliet, IL) Master of Business Administration – Business Administration Karen Storer (Des Plaines, IL) Master of Business Administration – Business Administration Callie Surber (Hanover Park, IL) Master of Science – Training & Development Russell Tillery (Portland, OR) Master of Science – Management Blaine Tisdale (Denver, CO) Master of Business Administration – Business Administration Taylor Valant (Pompano Beach, FL) Master of Science – Management Elizabeth Wall (South Elgin, IL) Master of Science – Health Administration Amy Wegrzyn (Chicago Heights, IL) Master of Business Administration – Business Administration Cayla Wojcik (Plainfield, IL) Master of Science – Management Christopher Zmudka (Joliet, IL) Master of Business Administration – Business Administration Bachelor’s Degrees Megan Ackland (Rochelle, IL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Christian Aguayo (Bolingbrook, IL) Bachelor of Business Administration – Marketing Autumn Barbey (Du Bois, PA) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Barbara Berka (Romeoville, IL) Bachelor of Science – Business Administration (BS) Constance Bridges (Peoria, IL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Amanda Casey (Wauconda, IL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Clayton Cash (Morris, IL) Bachelor of Business Administration – Finance Rien Covington (Plainfield, IL) Bachelor of Science – Business Administration (BS) Kimberly Currin (Merrillville, IN) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Goofran Dalwan (Bridgeview, IL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Christina Durbin (Taylorville, IL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Leadership Russell Egan (Lockport, IL) Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting Eric Estrada (Conyers, GA) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Mark Gezik (Shorewood, IL) Bachelor of Business Administration – Entrepreneurship Dylan Gilbert (Plainfield, IL) Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting Ronald Gilliam (Gridley, IL) Bachelor of Science – Business Administration (BS) Antonio Gutierrez (Plainfield, IL) Bachelor of Business Administration – Management Molly Harej (Bloomington, IL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Lynda Jandek (New Lenox, IL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Leadership Evan Jaros (Yorkville, IL) Bachelor of Business Administration – Marketing Christopher Johnson (Hillside, IL) Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting Audrey Johnston (Amherst, NH) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Annmarie Kalemis (Wheaton, IL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Colin Kelly (Tinley Park, IL) Bachelor of Business Administration – Marketing Lea Klucinski (Matteson, IL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Nicole Lakomski (Schaumburg, IL) Bachelor of Business Administration – Health Care Management Tashari Loggins (Wheaton, IL) Bachelor of Business Administration – Health Care Management Eric Maffie (Coal Valley, IL) Bachelor of Business Administration – Marketing Madison Maloney (Seneca, IL) Bachelor of Business Administration – Marketing Candice May (Country Club Hills, IL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Cavell Miller (Atlanta, GA) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Leadership Jennifer Nemeth (Loda, IL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Michael Nickel (Des Peres, MO) Bachelor of Business Administration – Management Kenny Park (Birmingham, AL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Sergio Peres (Goiania, Goias, Brazil ) Bachelor of Business Administration – International Business Elizabeth Rohrer (Mokena, IL) Bachelor of Business Administration – Marketing Heather Sampson (Ocean Shores, WA) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Hailey Santore (Plainfield, IL) Bachelor of Science – Business Administration (BS) Emily Schrader (Orland Park, IL) Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting Amanda Simale (Highland Park, IL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Jessica Smyk (Reading, PA) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Abbey Spesia (Coal City, IL) Bachelor of Business Administration – Health Care Management Sheng-Ju Ting (Taoyuan, Taiwan) Bachelor of Business Administration – Management Mary Turner (Pekin, IL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Crystal Ulrich (Pekin, IL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Briana Washington (Country Club Hills, IL) Bachelor of Science – Business Administration (BS) Michele Whitehurst (East Peoria, IL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) Alejandra Zavala (Joliet, IL) Bachelor of Science – Health Care Management (BS) College of Education Doctoral Degrees Benita Anderson (Lynwood, IL) Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership Misha Blackman (Flossmoor, IL) Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership Tamela Daniels (Oswego, IL) Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership Jessica Knobbe (Plainfield, IL) Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership Christine Moskalik (Shorewood, IL) Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership Nancy Oesterreich (Algonquin, IL) Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership Rudy Puente (Chicago, IL) Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership Anni Rasmussen (Orland Park, IL) Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership Yovan Reyes (Valrico, FL) Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership Catherine Rienzo (Macungie, PA) Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership Robert Schiffbauer (Minooka, IL) Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership Paula Sereleas (New Lenox, IL) Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership Master’s Degrees Meghan Aguilar (Plainfield, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Abigail Allen (Batavia, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Amy Betts (Chicago, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Sean Brandt (Arlington Heights, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Todd Brown (Aurora, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Dana Browne (New Lenox, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Alicia Carlisle (Chicago, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Luz Carmona Colon (Morris, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Patrick Cunningham (Naperville, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Jamie Cuny (Wheaton, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Kristin Drake (Plainfield, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Amanda Esgar (Morris, IL) Master of Science – Reading Scott Fulton (Chicago, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Paul Gibbs (Northbrook, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Marissa Goodlet (Newark, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Patrick Goy (La Salle, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Shelly Gupta (Naperville, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Brittany Halliday (Coal City, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Brandon Harding (Chicago, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Melissa Hill (Joliet, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Gabrielle Horabik (Chicago, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Briana Ingram (Rockdale, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Laura James (Bourbonnais, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Eileen Kapcar (Park Ridge, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Scott Klepadlo (Niles, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Samydra Lakes (Chicago, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Christine Lawson (Bloomingdale, IL) Master of Science – Reading Karen Lee (Carol Stream, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Zoe Levin (Bellevue, WA) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Shannon Martin (Homer Glen, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Gina Miglieri (Chicago, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Linda Miller (Westchester, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Elizabeth Molla (Naperville, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Mary Murdie (Manhattan, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning J Ivan Ortiz (Joliet, IL) Master of Science – Educational Leadership Richard Ortiz (Lombard, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Erin Perkinson (Arlington Heights, IL) Master of Science – Reading Jessica Perry (Carpentersville, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Clara Prosiliakos (Norridge, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Alexandra Rambo (Plainfield, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Shannon Rolland (Minooka, IL) Master of Science – Educational Leadership Amanda Schmidt (South Elgin, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Lauren Siadak (Mokena, IL) Master of Education – Elementary Educ Licensure Kevin Smith (Plainfield, IL) Master of Education – Middle Grades Education Amy Smith (Orland Park, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Taylor Sobieski (Naperville, IL) Master of Science – Educational Leadership Jennifer Starkman (Yorkville, IL) Master of Science – Educational Leadership Josephine Tadros (Mokena, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Michelle Taylor (Yorkville, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Zachary Vienne (Newark, IL) Master of Science – Educational Leadership Allison Warner (Chicago, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Paul Welsh (Oak Park, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Elizabeth Witt (New Lenox, IL) Master of Science – Educational Leadership Jennifer Wood (Tinley Park, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Aaron Wurtzel (Wheaton, IL) Master of Science – Teaching & Learning Bachelor’s Degrees Zachary Earls (Channahon, IL) Bachelor of Arts – Middle Grades Education Samantha Fritts (Plainfield, IL) Bachelor of Arts – Elementary Education Leach College of Nursing Master’s Degrees Lisa Borgealt (Westmont, IL) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Tammy Dubose (Gurnee, IL) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Magdalena Huisman (Winfield, IL) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration Zuzana Killam (Jacksonville, IL) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Samantha Kulpa (Chicago, IL) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Education Marcey Millage (Moline, IL) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing-RN BS MSN Sherry Nelson (Santa Fe, NM) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration Roseanne Niese (McHenry, IL) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration Abosede Ogundimu (Montgomery, IL) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration Nancy Robinson (North Judson, IN) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration Susan Swager (Grand Island, FL) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration Rhonda Sykes (Plainfield, IL) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Sally-Ann Tamizuddin (Springfield, IL) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Nancy Tomasek (Bartlett, IL) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration Renalda Tomic (Chicago, IL) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Ikechukwu Uzoaru (Bloomington, IL) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Brenda Weaver (South Jacksonville, IL) Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Bachelor’s Degrees Kristin Aagaard (Algonquin, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Sarah Abulaila (Palos Hills, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Islam Ali (Oak Lawn, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Adriana Aparicio Montalvo (Joliet, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Stephanie Arellano (Joliet, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Jehan Atieh (Orland Park, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Janine Bahhur (Plainfield, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Ahlam Bakerkhatib -Taha (Orland Park, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Riley Brandt (New Lenox, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Erin Bulow (Joliet, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Daniel Capobianco (Geneva, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Nathalia Chavez (Romeoville, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Amy Chlebanowski (Wheaton, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing, BSN Completion Megan Clendening (Plainfield, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Jaycie Cummins (Wilmington, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Olivia De La Rosa (Romeoville, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Farah Douleh (Oak Lawn, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Annahi Fierro (Braidwood, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Danielle Flowers (Wilmington, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Tatiana Foster (Chicago, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing, BSN Completion Kelly Galiniak (Willowbrook, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Paige Gieseke (Algonquin, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Daniela Gonzalez (St Charles, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Bryanna Gueness (Mokena, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Madisyn Hannion (Lockport, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Gabryella Herrera (Bolingbrook, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Jalyn Hobbs (New Lenox, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Hailey Huml (Wilmington, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Daniella Hunt (Downers Grove, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Ayh Ismail (Tinley Park, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Tanell Jennings (Joliet, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Stephanie Kincaid (Tinley Park, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Lillian Knapp (Shorewood, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Maria Lawson (Manhattan, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Samantha Lazzara (Chicago, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing, BSN Completion Susan Lecuyer (Bourbonnais, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing, BSN Completion Karina Madanowski (Homer Glen, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Rebecca Marinellie (Lockport, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing, BSN Completion Lana Mazoni (Orland Park, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Amanda Meyers (Lockport, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Joanna Nowicki (Morris, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Shannon O’Brien (Frankfort, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Jessica Ochenkowski (Hickory Hills, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Juliet Ogbeni Destiny (Shorewood, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Alejandra Osorio-Mendez (Mt Prospect, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Esmeralda Perez (Aurora, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Nicole Quinones (Romeoville, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Cullen Rompa (Plainfield, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Tichina Tam (Oak Forest, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Jennifer Tedeschi (Joliet, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Lauren Todd (Minooka, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Breanna Vaira (Romeoville, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Marissa Valencia (New Lenox, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Colleen Waddell (Linden, PA) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing, BSN Completion Tiana Weddington (Montgomery, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Maria Weiland (Downers Grove, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Ashley Witkowski (Homer Glen, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Lauren Wojcik (Oak Forest, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing Cynthia Wood (Shorewood, IL) Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing, BSN Completion : : 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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USF Offering Free Professional Development Opportunities for Educators

REAL Talk Spring 2022
Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) College of Education is offering educators free professional development through the REAL Talk for Teachers webinar series. More information on REAL Talk and other upcoming education workshops and conferences at USF is available at stfrancis.edu/real/professional-learning. Building Vocabulary for Reading (strategies that work for everyone) Tuesday, March 8 | 6-7 p.m. via Zoom Facilitators: Don Casper (K-12 Educator and English Language Teacher) and Lily Mertes, Ed.D. (K-12 Educator and Reading Interventionist) Are you looking for fun and engaging ways to build academic vocabulary and reading comprehension? Join us to discover methods that work and useful strategies you can implement immediately! The Skinny on Diverse Texts Tuesday, March 22 | 6-7 p.m. via Zoom Facilitators: Estefani Gonzalez (K-12 Educator and Bilingual Education Teacher) and Amy Schroeder (USF College of Education Reading Program Coordinator) Now more than ever it is imperative that classrooms and classroom libraries reflect diversity and inclusion. Join us as we discuss the why, how and where of diverse text selection. We’ll share resources to help you feel more confident in choosing texts to enhance the classroom environment for students. Educator Update with the Will County Regional Office of Education Tuesday, April 5 | 6-7 p.m. via Zoom Facilitators: Pete Sullivan, Ed.D., (Assistant Regional Superintendent – Will County Regional Office of Education) and Ladia Zavala (Licensure Specialist – Will County Regional Office of Education) Get the latest information on licensure requirements, license renewal, endorsement requirements, and news from ISBE. Visit stfrancis.edu/real-rsvp to register online for any of the webinars. : : 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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USF Joins State Planning Program to Help Recruit, Retain Teachers of Color

Joliet, Ill. – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recently announced that 24 Illinois colleges and universities, including the University of St. Francis (USF), have volunteered for a pilot program to develop plans to recruit and retain future teachers of color. The pilot will help establish best practices ahead of ISBE requiring all 54 Illinois educator preparation programs to develop plans next year. “The diversity of Illinois is one of our state’s greatest strengths – including in our classrooms,” said Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. “By recruiting faculty of color who share their students’ lived experiences or expand their perspectives, our schools can empower more students to achieve their goals and pursue their passions. This pilot program is just the beginning of ISBE’s recruitment efforts and I commend the leadership of the 24 colleges and universities who have volunteered to spearhead this initiative with us.” “I applaud the 24 colleges and universities that have volunteered to lead the way in breaking down barriers for people of color to join the teaching profession,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala. “All students, and especially students of color, benefit from having diverse educators throughout their school experiences. My own mentors in my career have been people of color like me. When the role models and people in positions of authority in our lives look like us, that shapes our perception of our place in the world in a positive and powerful way.” USF College of Education dean John Gambro, Ed.D., said that the pilot program aligns closely with some of USF’s top priorities. “The University of St. Francis places equity and social justice as a top priority.  The work of this pilot program is essential in ensuring that students in Illinois have access to teachers of color who can make a positive impact on the learning and development of all students.  We view this collaboration as an opportunity to share some of our successes and learn from other successful programs from across the state,” Gambro said. A press release from the IBHE explained the recruitment and retention efforts are part of ISBE’s three-year strategic plan, which includes the goal of increasing teacher diversity in Illinois public schools. The 2021 Illinois Report Card released last week showed that 82 percent of practicing Illinois teachers identify as White, whereas only 47 percent of Illinois public school students identify as White. The release also cited research from the Learning Policy Institute which shows that teachers of color boost the academic performance of students of color, including reading and math test scores, graduation rates, and aspirations to attend college. Studies also show that students taught by teachers of the same race are less likely to be chronically absent and less likely to experience exclusionary discipline. The number of teachers of color in the profession has grown incrementally over the past three years. The pilot announced today will help speed that progress by supporting programs in addressing their specific barriers to increasing candidate diversity. Pilot participants will draft their plans, receive feedback from a peer review committee composed primarily of Diverse and Learner Ready Teacher Network members, and meet to exchange ideas and collaborate. Pilot participants will finalize their plans by May 31 and reconvene in the future to dialogue about what strategies worked. The comprehensive listing of participating Illinois colleges and universities includes:
  • Augustana College
  • Benedictine University
  • Blackburn College
  • Chicago State University
  • DePaul University
  • Dominican University
  • Eastern Illinois University
  • Eureka College
  • Governors State University
  • Greenville University
  • Illinois College
  • Illinois State University
  • Lewis University
  • National Louis University
  • Northeastern Illinois University
  • Northern Illinois University
  • Rockford University
  • Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
  • Trinity International University
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • University of Illinois at Chicago
  • University of St. Francis
  • VanderCook College of Music
  • Western Illinois University
: : 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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