The ALMAnac

The ALMAnac header image featuring stylized text and Alma Mater statue with arms uplifted

Recognizing SSIB Accomplishments and Leadership

September 2022

Awards, Honors, Accolades

  • David Chih, Director of the Asian American Cultural House, UIUC List of Teachers Rated as Excellent, Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 (for SOCW297 Asian Families in America).
  • Nora Peterson, Associate Director for Prevention at the Women’s Resource Center, UIUC List of Teachers Rated as Excellent, Spring 2022 (for CHLH126 Campus Acquaintance Rape Education).
  • Gayle Spencer, Director of the Illinois Leadership Center, UIUC List of Teachers Rated as Excellent, Spring 2022 (for TE426GS Leading Sustainable Change).
  • Asian American Cultural Center received the Student Affairs Outstanding Program Award for Stop Asian Hate, Spring 2022.
  • Amanda Wahba, Assistant Director Advisor, Interfraternity Council Advisor, and Panhellenic Council of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs was honored as the 2019 Outstanding New Professional.
  • Lisa Jackson, Interim Director of New Student Programs, was nominated as part of the Stellar 50 in the African American Knowledge Community.

Academic Degree Completion

  • MK Kim, Advocacy and Wellness Coordinator at the Women’s Resource Center completed her Masters of Arts in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from Ball State University on July 23, 2022.
  • Amanda Wahba, Assistant Director Advisor, Interfraternity Council Advisor, and Panhellenic Council of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs completed her Master’s Degree in Higher Education and Curriculum.

Community Leadership (Non-Profit board membership)

  • Gayle Spencer, Director of the Illinois Leadership Center, serves on the Western Illinois University Alumni Board; Chi Omega National Housing Corporation Board; Chi Omega Mary Love Collins Scholarship Selection Committee. Also, served on Chi Omega National Membership Engagement Task Force (2021-2022).
  • Kasey Umland, Interim Director of the Women’s Resource Center, serves as the First Followers Reentry Program, Board Member/Treasurer.
  • Gabrielle Schwartz, Associate Director for Advocacy at the Women’s Resource Center, serves as the We Are HER - Leadership Team, Program Coordinator.
  • Glenn (Andrew) Hohn, Sr. Associate Director of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs, serves as President of the Board of Directors, Family Service of Champaign County Emerging Community Leaders Committee Member, United Way of Champaign County.
  • Amanda Wahba, Assistant Director Advisor, Interfraternity Council Advisor, and Panhellenic Council of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs serves as President of the Young Professionals of Champaign - Urbana (YPCU).

Professional Organization Leadership

  • Gayle Spencer, Director of the Illinois Leadership Center: Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS): National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) representative to the CAS Council; Executive Board Member and selected as President-Elect. International Leadership Association, Committee member of the Sustainability Leadership Committee.
  • Lisa Jackson, Interim Director of New Student Programs: Appointed to serve as co-chair for Professional Development for the African American Knowledge Community in NASPA.
  • Amanda Wahba, Assistant Director Advisor, Interfraternity Council Advisor, and Panhellenic Council of Fraternity &Sorority Affairs: Appointed member - Health and Wellness facilitator for Delta Gamma Fraternity National Appointed- Harm Reduction Mentor for Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors - social media engagement committee member and Region 3 committee member.

Publications

  • Alex Suñé, Sr. Associate Director, Student Engagement: Co-author of major article to be Published (date TBD) - Journal of American College Health (Routledge - Taylor & Francis Group) Food security and part-time work for students: Do race and region play a role? Amos Jeng, Elise M. McCarren & Alejandro J. Suñé.

Presentations

  • Gayle Spencer, Director of the Illinois Leadership Center: NACA Educational Session Presenter on CAS Standards and Self-Assessment Guides: How to use them in your work, NACA Live, February 2022. - ILA Global Leadership Conference Presenter, “Facets of Sustainable Leadership”, October 2021. - ILA Global Leadership Conference Panelist, “Intersectionality and Leadership”, October 2021.
  • David Chih, Director of the Asian American Cultural House: Illinois State University, Asian American Heritage Month speaker, “Racial Discrimination and Mental Health During the COVID-19 pandemic,” March 2022 Indiana University, Asian American Conference keynote speaker, “Building a Brighter Future,” March 2022 UIUC University Laboratory High School, “Asian American Food & Culture,” February 2022 UIUC AACC Food for Thought lunchtime discussion series, “Stop Asian Hate: COVID-19,” February 2022 UIUC Institute for Genomic Biology, The Lunch Box Series on the interconnectivity between food, science, and culture, “Chinese birthday noodles: Holding on to cultural traditions through food,” December 2021 Filipino Americans Coming Together Conference, “Stop Asian Hate,” November 2021 Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers (GLACUHO) Annual Conference Contemporary Issues Expert, “Supporting International Student Programs & Services in the Era of COVID-19,” October 2021.
  • Lisa Jackson, Interim Director of New Student Programs: Dixon. L., Jackson, L., Toy, T. Fork in the Road: Black Wxmen’s Experience and Persistence in Student Affairs. March 2022 NASPA National Conference Dixon, L., Jackson, L., Toy, T. Understanding the Ex-Factor: Black Wxmen’s Leadership and Departure in Student Affairs.

Other

  • Gayle Spencer, Director of the Illinois Leadership Center, Served as a question writer for the Campus Activities exam for Student Affairs Educator Certification (2021-2022).
  • Nick Fink, Coordinator for Student Engagement, was admitted into the inaugural Online Hybrid JD Class through the Vermont Law School!