Alumni and Student Highlights

Renee Bracey Sherman
Psychology Major, Sociology Minor

NEIU alum Renee Bracey Sherman is a renowned reproductive justice activist, abortion storyteller, and writer. She is the founder of We Testify, an organization dedicated to supporting people from all walks of life who share their abortion stories and to shifting the public perception surrounding abortion access. She is also an executive producer of Ours to Tell, an award-winning documentary; a co-author of an upcoming book, LIBERATING ABORTION: Claiming Our History, Sharing Our Stories, and Building the Reproductive Future We Deserve; and a co-host of the podcast The A Files: A Secret History of Abortion from The Meteor.

With a resume like that, it's no surprise that Renee would be outspoken in today's volatile political climate. In late July, she authored an article for Teen Vogue detailing her take on the Republican National Convention. Specifically, she targeted JD Vance and his opinions about women and people of color, titling her article, "JD Vance Doesn't Want All Women to Be Trad Wives, Just White Women." Renee dove in to Vance's platform, revealing the unsettling truths of the Republican party's vision for America: one where white women are subservient to their husbands, and women of color are exploited to uphold the "traditional" American family.

Read Renee's article or learn more about her.

Ed Remus

Undergraduate Education

In 2008 I received a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. My second major was Philosophy.

Graduate Education

In 2010 I received a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In 2019 I received a Master of Arts in History from Northeastern Illinois University.

Current Position

Social Sciences Librarian at the Ronald Williams Library at NEIU

How did the history MA program prepare you for your job? 

As a member of the NEIU Libraries faculty, my job consists of teaching, research, and service. The History MA program prepared me to excel in each of these areas.

My job involves teaching history students how to conduct their primary and secondary source research. I serve not only undergraduate and graduate History students at NEIU but Chicago-area junior high and high school Chicago Metro History Day contestants as well. I have even assisted some NEIU History faculty members with their research! The intensive primary and secondary source research I conducted as a student in the History MA program prepared me to provide this expert-level research training and assistance to historians at each of these levels.

Another part of my teaching role involves partnering with NEIU faculty to organize panel discussions of controversial topics featuring scholars with differing political points of view. In collaboration with History faculty and students, I’ve organized viewpoint-diverse panels on topics ranging from political realignment and the political status of Puerto Rico to abortion law and the Second Amendment. I was able to curate these discussions thanks in large part to the broad range of ideological viewpoints to which I was exposed in the History MA program; this exposure began with Professor Mateo Farzaneh’s historiography course, the first class I took in the program.A second area of my job involves conducting scholarly research. My research has focused in part on the history of socialism in the United States. I put my secondary source research skills to the test by writing a bibliographic essay (in parts one and two) on the historiography of the Socialist Party of America during the lifetime of Eugene Debs. What began as a four-page paper proposal for Professor Francesca Morgan’s “Readings on Nineteenth Century America” class in 2017 eventually grew into a 15,000-word essay published in Choice!

Likewise, I drew on the primary-source research I conducted for Professor Joshua Salzmann’s 2019 seminar in twentieth century American history to deliver two academic conference presentations, one on an abortive, late-1960s attempt to re-found a mass socialist party in the United States and the other on one particular socialist organization, Social Democrats, USA, that emerged from the dissolution of the Socialist Party of America in 1972-73. My research on this latter topic will be published as an article in the forthcoming (third) edition of the Encyclopedia of the American Left.

Finally, I honed my ability to analyze texts in the Marxist tradition while completing an independent study with Professor Charles Steinwedel. I deployed these analytical skills during a 2021 conference presentation addressing how three thinkers within the American Trotskyist tradition approached the issue of civil liberties.

A third part of my job involves serving on committees of librarians dedicated to defending intellectual freedom at the state and national levels. On these committees, we frequently discuss situations in which an individual or organization finds a library’s materials or programs to be objectionable on moral and/or political grounds and attempts to have said materials or programs removed from the library. Over the past decade, such challenges to library materials and programs have come from both politically conservative and politically progressive directions, with challengers in each case arguing that removing certain library materials or programs would serve the interests of “the community” or “the people.” Thanks to the historical perspective I gained in the History MA program, I have been able to theorize these conflicts as recent iterations of a longer-standing tension between liberty, on the one hand, and democracy, on the other. This historical framing has bolstered my ability—and, I hope, the ability of my fellow librarians—to publicly defend our profession’s core value of intellectual freedom, grounded as it is in liberty.

What do you enjoy about your job?

Conducting scholarly research is a little bit like solving a puzzle. It provides a similar feeling of satisfaction at the end. Research is also an intensely collaborative process. Oftentimes the most difficult part is discerning what you really want to know. I enjoy working with students and faculty to help them figure out what they need to find and working with them to find it. I also enjoy conducting my own research, so much of which has stemmed in one way or another from the education I received during the History MA program.

Stephen Tallackson & Judith Mendelsohn Tallackson

What did your educational paths look like? 

When we were attending NEIU in its first four years [at the present campus] from 1961 to 1965 when it was Chicago Teacher’s College North (CTCN), every student was only being prepared to be elementary or high school teachers. Consequently, EVERY student had Education as their Minor and then picked a non-Education Major. In the early and mid-1960's, this was considered an educational innovation when other teacher preparation programs at other colleges had students major in Education. 

Judi’s degrees: B.A. in music history with a minor in education from CTCN (NEIU); M.A. in reading from Roosevelt University; M.A. in English as a second language (ESL) from Indiana University Northwest.

Steve’s degrees: B.A. in history with a minor in education from CTCN (NEIU); M.A. (and ABD) in history from the University of Chicago.

What are you doing now?

Judi: After being an elementary school teacher in the Chicago Public Schools from 1966 to 2003, Judi has been involved in a number of volunteer activities. She does programming for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients at an Adult Day Care Center in Valparaiso, Indiana once a week. She delivers Meals on Wheels to shut-ins once a week. Finally, she volunteers twice a month at a local food pantry. She has done babysitting for our three grandchildren (who are now 17, 12 and 9) when they were very young.

Steve: After teaching U.S., Modern World, and African History, and being an Academic Advisor for History, Social Studies Teaching, and Political Science majors for 10 years at Purdue University Northwest (both Hammond and Westville campuses) from 1991 to 2022, I have been an Adjunct Instructor teaching a two-semester sequence in African History at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Both Judi and I have been Board members at Temple Israel in Gary, Indiana for a number of years. I have been the Co-Chair of the Social Action Committee of Temple Israel for the last decade helping organize various multi-racial and interreligious activities.

What do you remember about your time at CTCN (NEIU)?

Steve: 

- CTCN only had 2,100 students when we were there in the early and mid-1960's. A good aspect of being a "small" school, you felt you got to know a lot of the students, despite the fact that we were a commuter school and a lot of students left after their last class to go to part-time jobs. 

- Because we were solely a teachers college, preparing us for a female dominated profession, 80% of CTCN's student body were women. The early and mid-160's was still a decade before Title IX and its requirements for female inter-collegiate sports. Consequently, CTCN had NO inter-collegiate sports against other schools. We had no football, basketball, or any other games to go to, unlike our friends who went to other colleges. 

- I was fortunate to have Professor June Sochen as the instructor in several of my history courses and she showed me how the study and teaching of history could be stimulating and challenging.

Judi:

- I remember Professor Harold Berlinger, who taught many of my Music History courses and who was a great professor. 

- The gym was not finished, so we had a lot of non-athletic choices to meet our physical education requirements. I took Bridge and I still play twice a month.

Do you have any advice for current students?

Steve: Be prepared for multiple careers. Unlike Judi, who had one employer in her career, after my first college teaching job was eliminated, I worked in city and federal government jobs for around 20 years, before returning to college teaching in my 40's (part-time) and 50's (full-time).

Is there anything else we should know about you?

We have two sons in their 50's. After our last child graduated from college in 1997, and we had no more tuitions to pay, we have been fortunate to go on overseas trips nearly every year. We have been to the vast majority of European countries, Africa three times, Asia twice and South America once. Also, we graduated together in December, 1965 from CTCN and got married in August, 1966. We have lived in first Miller Beach and now Ogden Dunes in Northwest Indiana since 1973. We celebrated our 58th wedding anniversary this year.

Sonia Hussain

What is your educational background?

I received my Bachelor of Arts in English with Honors at Northeastern Illinois University in May of 2020 and my Masters of Science in Higher Administration and Policy from Northwestern University in August of 2021.   

What are you doing now?

I am the Assistant Director of the Chicago Field Studies (CFS) Program, which is within the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University. The CFS Program is an academic internship program where undergraduate students intern with various companies or organizations for up to 25+ hours a week. While students engage in their internships and contribute to project goals, they also attend a CFS course in the evening that aligns with their interests. In the CFS course students reflect on, discuss, and debate workplace issues that count toward their degree requirements. The CFS program helps students advance both academically and professionally! 

In my role, I provide internship and career advising support to students in the CFS program which includes assisting them with interview preparation, resume development, job searches and much more! I also work on maintaining professional relationships with our employer partners and work on developing new partnerships. I offer valuable insights and strategies to both students and employers, ensuring the program's continued success. 

What are your best memories from NEIU?

One of my favorite memories from NEIU is participating in the University Honors Program (UHP). This experience was invaluable as it helped me discover qualities and strengths I didn’t know I had. The UHP provided a supportive yet challenging academic environment that encouraged my learning and growth. 

Through the program, I grew intellectually, gained practical experience, worked on a thesis, developed professional relationships with faculty members, presented at conferences, published my research, and much more. I had the opportunity to work on an honors thesis titled “First-Year Students in Summer Bridge: Improving Academic and Mathematical Success” alongside Dr. Francisco X. Gaytan, the Associate Provost for Student Success and Retention. I also presented my research during a 45-minute session at the 39th Annual Conference on The First-Year Experience in Washington, D.C. 

Completing a thesis and presenting at a major conference not only helped me gain admission to my graduate program at Northwestern University but also impressed potential employers during my job search. The UHP is a fantastic program at NEIU, and I highly recommend that students apply!

Do you have any advice for current students? 

My best advice for current students is to understand that many career paths are not linear. Your experiences and involvement will help you discover your passions and interests, guiding you toward your long-term career. Everyone's journey is unique in its own way, so try to make the most out of your various experiences. 

Take advantage of the numerous resources available at NEIU; participate in internships, gain work experience, join the University Honors Program, present your work at conferences, and meet with your professors during office hours to build mentoring relationships. The more you get involved, gain experiences, and develop professional relationships, the better you will be at finding and achieving your dream career path.  

Is there anything else you'd like to share? 

Never allow challenges and set-backs to discourage you from achieving your dreams. Rejection is only redirection!

Diana Huizar
M.S. Political Science

What was your undergraduate degree? 

I earned a B.A. in Politics and Government from North Park University.

What are you doing now? 

I serve as a Public Relations Specialist for the Secretary to the Board of Commissioners and the Forest Preserves of Cook County Government. In this role, I manage public-facing and inter-governmental communications, promote transparency and support fostering positive relationships between the county government and its constituents. Additionally, I collaborate with our archives team to find ways in which we can highlight and share valuable and interesting history with our constituents and beyond.

As a volunteer, I currently serve as a medical advocate for Our Resilience, a sexual assault crisis center, offering medical, legal, and mental health resources to survivors. Additionally, I am an Illinois Master Naturalist Intern, I work on various projects throughout the Forest Preserves to restore protected natural areas such as prairies and woodlands. 

What did you like about your time at NEIU?

When I started at NEIU, it was during the tail end of COVID. We still had to wear masks in class and sit apart from each other, which made normal interactions with students challenging to cultivate. I was initially worried about making others feel uncomfortable, as I wasn’t sure how people had been impacted by COVID or how safe they felt on campus.

To overcome this, I decided to get more involved on campus and as result, I started working on campus as a tutor at the Learning Success Center and as an intern at IRAD in the library’s lower level. My time there allowed me to connect with many students, faculty, and community members. Through these experiences I have walked away with many beautiful friendships which I continue to nurture and consider a privilege to carry with me into the future. Tapping into the community at school completely transformed my experience there for the better and having that additional support system, and guaranteed laughs here and there was amazing during what was a very stressful time for me. 

Do you have any advice for current students?

Inevitably, being a student comes with many stressors many times they are compounded, such as financial, mental, emotional, etc. It is very hard to balance school work with family, work, and other commitments you may have. You are not alone, many people around you are in that same boat. I encourage students to find faculty and other students to lean on, there are some absolutely incredible people on campus that genuinely care about students' well-being (I can attest to this!!). Identify those people who greet you with a smile, that are happy to see you and are investing in you, get to know them and cultivate those relationships. NEIU is so diverse in many ways, there are people there with great life stories and experience, tap into that! If you find yourself struggling, ask someone for help, help is always there! 

Finally, a mandatory shoutout: the Learning Success Center is pretty great! They offer free tutoring to all students and are flexible with remote participation, all the tutors are also students (and they are pretty cool folks).

Dr. Dustin De Felice

What degrees did you earn at NEIU? 

In 2003, I earned my Bachelor of Arts in what used to be Speech Communication (major) with minors in Spanish and Linguistics/Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). I also earned my Master of Arts in Linguistics with a concentration in TESL in 2005.

What are you doing now? 

I’m the Director of the English Language Center at Michigan State University. I’m also an Associate Professor and affiliate faculty member for numerous departments and programs. I spend most of my days supporting faculty and staff in helping students succeed in their language journeys. The rest of my time is spent engaging with university and external partners in meeting their goals and aspirations. 

What did you like about your time at NEIU? 

When I started at NEIU, the campus was still a commuter college. I lived in the Galewood neighborhood in Chicago, so I took two buses there and back. (No worries if you’ve never heard of it. Most Chicagoans haven’t!) That meant long days on campus where I quickly learned how easy it was to engage in clubs, program activities, and on-campus functions each day. By the time I left I had participated in hundreds of events, multiple clubs like the Sociology Club, and the Stage Center. I even auditioned for several shows and was successfully cast. I have so many good memories of my time on stage, but my real joy came from the amazing faculty members I had in so many classes. It started with Dr. Bevington’s history of the English language and continued with Dr. Pedroso’s Spanish 101. At one point I took an intro to Linguistics with Dr. Hallett. At the end of that course, he mentioned that he thought I should consider pursuing a Linguistics minor. He was the first of many professors who inspired and supported me throughout my educational journey at NEIU. In fact, Dr. Hallett would not only serve as my thesis chair, but he would also join my doctoral committee and help me reach that career milestone. While I initially thought I was going to pursue an English degree, I quickly found out how much I loved languages and communication and never looked back.

Do you have any advice for current students? 

When I look back on my time at NEIU, I often think about one class I had with Dr. Rizik in Philosophy. It was arguably the most difficult class I had, and I didn’t do well by the time it finished. Since it was my second semester, it really weighed on me. Knowing what I know now, I wish I had just let it go and saved myself the anxiety and worry. That one class obviously had very little impact on my career path, so my advice to current students is to focus on the courses you love, engage with the professors who share your passions, and enjoy all that comes with being a student.

Is there anything else that you think is important that we haven't asked?

NEIU has played an important role in my family’s history because my mother and father not only graduated from Northeastern (Lois, a BA in Music, Secondary Ed. and Wayne, a BA in History, Secondary Ed., classes of 1971 and 1972, respectively), but they met there as well in the summer of 1968. Being a second generation NEIU grad is something I am very proud of. I even had class with two professors that taught my parents. In that same semester with Dr. Rizik, I had world history with Dr. Barber who was a professor for both my parents. In my second year, I was lucky enough to take a music appreciation course with Dr. Anderson who taught my mom in multiple courses. I was so impressed with his teaching philosophy that I incorporated it into my own many years later.

I’d also like to mention the role NEIU played in supporting me as a veteran. In 1994, I would leave Illinois to spend four years floating on U.S. Coast Guard Cutters throughout the Atlantic and Caribbean. Upon completion of my service, I would return to Illinois as a veteran and pursue an education at NEIU thanks to the funding I received from the Veterans Service program at NEIU under Tom Earth’s leadership and the financial support of the Illinois Veteran's Grant and the Montgomery G.I. Bill.

As I tell everyone I meet, I’d already have NEIU tattooed on my arm if I weren’t afraid of needles. Northeastern, especially the Department of Linguistics, has provided me with a top-notch education, a chance to develop into a professional and an opportunity to excel in life. I find it very hard to adequately explain the influence Northeastern has had on my life, and I am only able to provide a simple thank you to each and every faculty and staff member who took the time, energy and dedication to provide for the education I received and continue to receive.

Haley (“Lily”) Farris

What do you study at NEIU? 
I am an Anthropology major. 

What are your career goals? 
I am pursuing a career in Archaeology. 

What do you like most about NEIU? 
I’ve been to a few different universities and so far NEIU has to be one of the best in terms of the professor’s pedagogical care. They’re passionate about both what they teach and their students’ wellbeing, which creates a positive environment all around. 

Anything else fun and interesting that we should know about you? 
A few interesting things about me are that I’m a multidisciplinary artist and love working creatively with any medium I can get my hands on. I love to travel and want to live in a few different countries for a couple of years. I also really enjoy being out in nature and would eventually (when I tire of city life) like to start a homestead in my later years.

Olivia Goree Olivia (Alumni)

What did you study at NEIU?
My Undergraduate major was Psychology and my Graduate degree is a Master of Social Work (Graduation date 12/23!)

What are you doing now?
I am currently completing an internship in Medical Social Work at Dignity Health St. Joseph Family Medicine (Phoenix, AZ)

What do you remember most about your time at NEIU?
So many memories at NEIU! The supportive staff, encouraging peers, confidence gained through knowing I always had support when needed. (I miss it)!

What is a word of advice for current students?
Continue to push forward and know that ALL things are possible. Build a support system and never be afraid to ask for help

Anything else that you think is important that we haven't asked?
I just applied to obtain a doctorate in behavioral health (fingers crossed!)

Pictured with her children and husband (Olatunde Bisiryu BS Biology and BA Psychology 2019) on a family vacation in Hawaii. 

Kevin Duong

What do you study at NEIU? 
My current major is Global Studies. I like to learn a bit of everything around the world like other cultures. It's just something that's fascinated me and I get to meet a lot of people in different disciplines in school.

What are your career goals? 
My career goal is to be a diplomat or something similar in the international field. I believe that sometimes diplomacy can defeat even the strongest army. 

What do you like most about NEIU? 
I'm not ashamed to say this, but the best thing in NEIU is the freebies. Nothing tastes better than free food. You won't hear complaints from me. In addition to that, I do like how the school has lots of people from different backgrounds, age groups, etc. There's also a lot of international students that I meet and they share their cultures with me. It beats reading a textbook. 

Any sort of fun/interesting thing we should know about you? 
Hmm... I can make bird chirping noises. If I'm being honest, I'm a really boring person. People think I'm funny when we talk, but in reality, I'm just talking about my life stories and they laugh for some reason.

Lindsay Maldonado, PhD (Alumni)

Undergraduate major: 
Psychology NEIU

Graduate school and program: 
Erikson Institute, M.S. & Loyola University Chicago, Ph.D. both in Child Development.

What are you doing now? 
I'm back where it all started! I'm an Assistant Professor of Early Chilhdood Education at NEIU. I've been back at NEIU for almost 3 years now. Prior to coming to NEIU, I worked at Shedd Aquarium as the Director of Research and Evaluation for 11 years.

What do you remember most about your time at NEIU? 
I remember the faculty most of all from my time as a NEIU student. Specifically, I remember the applied research experience I got in Dr. Suzanne Gaskins child development lab course. It was that course and Suzanne's mentorship that set me on my career trajectory. As part of the course, we conducted research at the Chicago Children's Museum, and it was there where I realized that I wanted to work in museums some day. It turns out that worked out for me, and Suzanne continues to be one of my go-to mentors. She served on my dissertation committee, and she wrote me a recommendation letter for my job here at NEIU.

What is a word of advice for current students? 
I think it's important for students to build relationships with faculty members and be engaged in faculty research. And, don't be afraid to ask for help. Faculty want you to succeed, but they're not mind readers; so, make time to talk with faculty when you need support.

Ana Torres (Justice Studies, 2024)

My name is Ana Torres; I am the second oldest of eight siblings. Growing up in a traditional Mexican household challenged my parents and me. I have been in love with school for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, I used to cry during summer break. I begged my mother to enroll me in a summer school program, and she always did. 

My journey with NEIU began in 2014 when I got accepted. I graduated with an Associates degree from Richard J.Daley Community College in 2013. I started to take classes at NEIU in 2017. You see, I am a former DACA recipient, and paying out of pocket for school is quite expensive, especially when you have a family of your own. I have been a part-time student, full-time mom, a wife, and managed three health clinics. 

My life is always on the go. I am a senior at NEIU, and my major is Justice Studies. I will graduate on May 10, 2024, and I will begin my journey to become an attorney. I want to help our immigrant communities, especially those like me. DACA recipients who have been in this country and are contributing to it all their lives.Families that cannot afford an immigration attorney or are looking for someone who will understand their struggle and sympathize with them. That is my main goal and dream. Four years from now, I will be an attorney.

NEIU was the perfect university for me. I loved the flexibility in the hours; as mentioned earlier, I am a full-time employee and cannot attend morning classes. Also, the professors I have met have been of great support. I cannot tell you enough how blessed I have been to meet and interact with them. From Dr. De La Torre, Dr. Nancy Mathews, and everyone else. NEIU has allowed me to complete my education, and I will always be thankful to everyone who has helped me. 

Something interesting about me? I honestly do not know. I am always busy running from work to school and back home to my family and two Golden doodles. I can tell you that my daughter and I will be graduating from the university this year. It is funny because she graduates on May 5 and claims I will steal her thunder. 

I want to encourage all DACA recipients and anyone wishing to enroll in the university.It is one of the best investments you can make for yourself and your family. It requires persistence and patience, but if you stick with it, everything will be worth it. One quote that resonates with me is by Andre De Shields: "Slowly is the fastest way to get to where you want to be." That is the story of my life.

Marshal Ali
Master’s in Social Work

Undergraduate major: 
Social Work NEIU

What are you doing now? 
I am currently a Career Liaison with the Career Development Office at NEIU Graduate school and program- Social Work at NEIU 

What do you remember most about your time at NEIU? 
What I liked about my time at NEIU was the diversity. It was a great experience meeting people from not only my own background, but meeting people from other backgrounds and cultures and learning about their practices and perspectives. It really changes your outlook and view of the world when you hear other people's point of view.

What is a word of advice for current students? 
Don't be afraid or get intimidated by opportunities. You may feel like you are not qualified enough, or don't have enough experience. That's ok! You are here to learn just like everyone else! So take the opportunities that come your way and challenge yourself. You never know where those opportunities and connections will take you one day.

Tammy Martin (Alumni)

Undergraduate major:
I attended NEIU from 2002 - 2009 for my undergraduate degree. My major was history. 

Graduate school and program: 
I was enrolled in the MA in history/secondary education certification program for grad school from 2010 - 2012. I didn't finish my history MA but completed the teaching certification part of the program.

What are you doing now? 
I am currently working as a Career Liaison in the Career Development office at NEIU. Graduate school and program- I was enrolled in the MA in history/secondary education certification program for grad school from 2010 - 2012. I didn't finish my history MA but completed the teaching certification part of the program.

What do you remember most about your time at NEIU? 
I loved the community that I was part of. I had a close group of friends who were also history majors, and we were all involved in the McNair program. I also loved my professors in the history department. I learned so much from them!

What is a word of advice for current students? 
If you have the opportunity, participate in on-campus events and extracurricular activities. I didn't have the chance to participate in a lot of things outside of classes because of my work schedule, and now that I'm back working at NEIU I can see that I missed out on a lot of cool activities and opportunities!

Rolando Serna

Undergraduate major:
My undergraduate major was psychology. 

Graduate school and program:
I attended Governor’s State University where I received my Master’s degree in Social Work.

What are you doing now? 
Currently, I am working as a Bilingual Adult Therapist at a community mental health center called, Kenneth Young Center in Elk Grove Village, IL. 

What do you remember most about your time at NEIU? 
I loved all the cultural and social events on campus as well as all the teachers that were passionate about the subjects they taught. Additionally, my LGBTQ minor. My minor helped empower and validate my identity as well as my struggles. My minor is what led me to discover that I am a Social Worker.

What is a word of advice for current students?
1. Prioritize yourself and your dreams. Stay true to your identity, keep finding what inspires you and if the excitement or passion begins to fade in your studies, re-evaluate your major and choose a path that will align with who you are and your values. It’s important because you will need the passion well into your career. 

2. Investigate and utilize as many resources that are available to you it will not only help you understand the assignments, but also help improve your mental health. 

3. Prioritize getting involved with cultural and social events on campus. These events will help you make friends, increase your social network, inspire and fuel your creativity, knowledge, and dreams.

Anything else that you think is important that we haven’t asked? 
I want to send a special thank you to the staff at the Pedroso Center. Thank you for providing a safe space where I could feel seen, heard, validated, and empowered. Thank you for not taking a “neutral stance” on social justice issues. The Pedroso center and my Women and Gender study classes taught me the many ways that advocacy could look like and how to hold space for others during vulnerable moments. This and other feminist ideologies I have adapted into my practice with the goal to validate and empower the marginalized and oppressed people that I serve. 

I also want to thank the teachers that spent a few minutes after class ended to let me know of the potential they saw in me. It’s because of passionate, empathetic, and supportive teachers that I was able to continue on to graduate school and now a Therapist for Adults. 

At the age of 29 I began to work on my bachelor’s degree. I am a first-generation college student, I am a product of immigrants, and a Queer Latinx non-binary professional. Part of my success is due to the amazing education I received from NEIU. 

Early on as a child the bar was set low for me especially because I graduated from one of the poorest performing districts in the state of Illinois at the time. I was not expected to go to college nor attain a profession. I internalized the belief that I was not smart enough and sought out mental health services to unlearn some of those self-limiting beliefs when I began working on my associate’s degree. 

My hopes is that my story can serve as a small beacon of hope for any student that doesn’t believe that they are capable of attaining a college degree or a profession due to their background or identity. I hope my story reminds NEIU student’s the importance of having a dream. Finally, I hope to read of your success story too one day. Yes we can! Si Se Puede!

Dominick Sanakiewicz

What do you study at NEIU? 
I am finishing up my bachelor's degree in economics 

What are your career goals? 
I would very much like to continue my education up until the Phd. level and eventually teach economics at the university level. 

What do you like most about NEIU? 
My favorite part about NEIU, among many others, is how accessible and helpful the faculty are. Our relatively small class sizes make it really easy to build relationships with our faculty. Throughout my time here, I've been fortunate enough to have a number of my fantastic professors go the extra mile and help me develop. Whether it was loaning me a book from their personal library or arranging a meeting with a prospective graduate school abroad, a professor was always willing to help. So it only makes sense that I feel NEIU is a great place to develop the support system one needs to succeed. 

Any sort of fun/interesting thing we should know about you? 
I love to travel! This past year I've had the opportunity to explore Peru, watch Champions League soccer live, and see an F1 race. 

Anything else that you'd like to share? 
I'd like to encourage everyone reading to try connecting with as many of your fellow students and professors as possible. We have plenty of great people both learning and working here who have so much to offer. Good luck :)

Yesenia Esteban

Undergraduate major: Communications, Media, and Theater with a minor in Creative Writing 

What is a word of advice for current students? 
Take advantage of the amazing resources provided at NEIU! Alumni Highlight Undergraduate major- Communications, Media, and Theater with a minor in Creative Writing What are you doing now? I am currently fundraising for my short film Primos! Primos is a coming of age short film which follows Ricardo and Maite in the weeks leading up to their senior high school graduation.

What do you remember most about your time at NEIU? 
Although we went online due to the pandemic, I truly appreciate the amazing professors that continued to create engaging classes and lasting friendships.

What is a word of advice for current students? 
Take advantage of the amazing resources provided at NEIU! Alumni Highlight Undergraduate major- Communications, Media, and Theater with a minor in Creative Writing 

What are you doing now? 
I am currently fundraising for my short film Primos! Primos is a coming-of-age short film which follows Ricardo and Maite in the weeks leading up to their senior high school graduation. What do you remember most about your time at NEIU? Although we went online due to the pandemic, I truly appreciate the amazing professors that continued to create engaging classes and lasting friendships. Anything else? Follow my short film on Instagram to keep up to date! Filming in Albany Park and Lincoln Square this Summer! IG: primosfilm.chi

Derek Barthel (Alumni)

What was your Undergraduate major? 
Political Science (DePaul University) 

What was your Graduate program? 
Master of Arts in Geography & Environmental Studies at NEIU. For my thesis I researched the effects of tourism on deforestation in the National Park system of Colombia. 

What are you doing now? 
I am an Account Manager with Esri on the State & Local Government team. I work with cities and counties in Illinois and Michigan to provide GIS-based solutions to common governmental tasks (parcel mapping, snow removal, road management, etc.)

What do you remember most about your time at NEIU? 
The faculty of the G&ES department was (and is) wonderfully supportive and so well-rounded. 

What is a word of advice for current students? 
Take Dr. Grammenos’s Political & Urban Geography courses, no matter what your major is!

Anything else that you think is important? 
I’m on the board of the Geographic Society of Chicago for whom I run a quarterly Geography Trivia event at a sports bar/grill in the Irving Park neighborhood. NEIU students and faculty/staff are always welcome!

Derek and his wife Angelica pictured here near the summit of Huayna Potosí (6,088m / 19,974ft) in Bolivia

Jeremy Raucci

What is your current major? 
I am a junior physics major. 

What are your career goals? 
My goal after I graduate is to get accepted into a Ph.D. program. I am interested in many subjects of physics and have gotten the chance to see how research is conducted. I have researched atmospheric science with Dr. Gregory Anderson and this summer I will be collaborating with Fermilab to research dark matter with Dr. Orin Harris. I am still not sure what part of physics I want to focus on in graduate school but I enjoyed classes like astrophysics, optics, modern physics, and computing for scientists.

What do you like about NEIU so far? 
What I like most about NEIU is the STEM department. My whole experience with the classes and professors has been very good. The class size is smaller for most classes, which means a more hands-on learning environment. Every professor I've had has been very passionate about teaching and very willing to help and ask questions. There are many opportunities for students to learn about internships and career paths through the SCSE or ARCOS events. I also like how the amount of opportunities has grown since when I first came here. It seems like there are more events and clubs around for students to engage in extracurricular activities. One club I do is the Volleyball Club. We have a game against UIC this Friday on the 29th so come and watch. 

Anything fun/interesting that we should know about you? 
I am a pretty good bowler. I've been bowling for a couple of years now and my best game is 278. Another fun fact, I have a fat cat.

Andrea Ramirez

My name is Andrea Ramirez, and I'm on the edge of completing my journey as an MA student in Latin American Literature and Culture. This May marks the culmination of my master's degree, and I couldn't be more grateful for my time at NEIU. When I stepped into the World Language Department, I was enveloped in a supportive community dedicated to helping me achieve my academic aspirations.

Throughout my tenure as a master's student, I've had the privilege of participating in the graduate assistant program, where I've been able to contribute to the Language Lab and lead initiatives like Tertulias then Hablemos de todo un poco. These projects have fostered informal yet engaging Spanish conversations among Northeastern students and the wider community. By tackling contemporary issues within a welcoming atmosphere, we've encouraged Spanish practice and delved into the rich tapestry of Latin American culture.

This endeavor has been deeply personal, as I understand firsthand the challenges of mastering a second language. Thus, our project aims to provide a space where both native speakers and learners alike can come together to enhance their Spanish skills in a supportive environment. It's been a dream come true to see this vision materialize, and I'm proud to have fostered linguistic and cultural exchange within our community. 

Being a student at NEIU has not only enabled me to pursue my academic aspirations but has also done so at a more affordable cost compared to other universities. As I approach the completion of my master's degree, I find myself driven to seek out new academic endeavors, with the hope of embarking on a Ph.D. journey next year.

Being the first among my five siblings to attain a university degree fills me with immense pride. However, this achievement wouldn't have been possible without the unwavering support of my family. Pedro, Juan, and Rebeca Ramirez, their encouragement and belief in my abilities have been instrumental in reaching this significant milestone. Education holds great significance in my life, and I firmly believe that it knows no bounds of age. What truly matters is one's persistence and attitude towards learning. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the World Language Department for being an integral part of my journey as a master’s student in Latin American Literature and Culture.

Muna Aden

What do you study at NEIU? 
I'm majoring in biology right now. 

What are your career goals? 
My career goal is to pursue something in biotech or biopharmaceuticals.

What do you like most about NEIU?
What I like best about NEIU so far is the manageable class sizes, which allow you to feel like you can get to know your professors and even ask for help. I also appreciate how supportive all of the professors are. You can tell they genuinely care about each and every one of their students. Additionally, I adore how the campus seems in the fall with all of the leaves falling; it's really quite lovely.

Any sort of fun/interesting thing that we should know about you? 
Something interesting about me is that I enjoy painting since it brings me happiness. I also enjoy occasionally writing poems. Something I want to convey is that joining a trio was the best thing I did in college. I feel that the program has helped me so much, and I often recommend it to others, especially first-generation students like myself.

Cassandra Ceballos (ALUMNI)

What did you study at NEIU? 
I received a BS in Biology in 2014 and a MS in Biology in 2022

What are you doing now? 
After graduating from NEIU in August 2022, I joined the Center for Limnology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a PhD student in the Freshwater and Marine Sciences program. This past summer I conducted fieldwork on a lake outside of Madison, WI to determine the ecological impacts of rising water levels. Most of my efforts are focused on expanding my knowledge of inland waters to develop research questions for my dissertation project.

What do you remember most about your time at NEIU? 
One of the best things about NEIU is the incredible community that it offers. The strong unity among students and faculty fosters a sense of belonging regardless of your background or your motivations for being in school. Even after graduating, I still feel very much a part of the community and value the long-lasting friendships and professional relationships that I built as a student at NEIU.

What is a word of advice for current students? 
The biggest piece of advice I can offer to current students is to enjoy the experience of higher education. Take in the moments, meet new people, and discover more about yourself. I think many students feel tied down to a particular timeline when navigating through college. The pressure of racking up credits in a certain amount of time can make it difficult to enjoy the process of obtaining your degree. Even when you have meticulously planned out the path you want to take, life happens and can steer you off course. While it is our first instinct to get back onto the path we have planned for, there is value in being thrown off course. There are opportunities to find something useful, life changing, or clarifying on that path.