Meet Our Student Staff

Abby is an undergraduate student studying music education. She is in her fifth year at NEIU and is graduating in May 2025. Her goal is to become a high school band director. Abby’s main instrument is French horn, but she also takes vocal lessons.

Fun Facts: Abby has a chocolate lab named Bear and an Australian shepherd named Daffodil. Her favorite aesthetics are purple themes and anything with flowers and butterflies. One of her hobbies is practicing a Japanese martial art called aikido.

Adarsh is a second-year graduate student studying Special Education. He is a first-generation college student and hopes to not only be a practicing special educator but also one day be a principal of a school.

Fun Facts: Adarsh’s favorite show is "Breaking Bad;" he's seen it six times and counting. He has been described as a walking talking encyclopedia for all things relating video games, movies, TV shows and history. He is a major foodie and loves visiting new food joints.

Aidan is a senior studying Accounting at NEIU. Born in Colorado and raised in Evanston, Illinois, he plans to work toward his CPA license after earning his bachelor’s degree.

Fun Facts: Aidan has been playing music since he was three years old and has learned to play nearly two dozen instruments. He’s currently playing guitar in a punk band called Bum Rush, based out of Chicago.

Alby is an undergraduate student working on a bachelor's degree in History with plans to obtain their Master's Degree in Secondary Education at NEIU. In the future, Alby hopes to become a high school history teacher and eventually work on their Ph.D. to become a history professor specializing in U.S. and Middle Eastern history. Outside of academia, Alby has a love for all sorts of arts ranging from music, fashion design, graphic design, reading, photography, and spray painting. 

Fun Facts: Alby has a pet parrot named Rocky and enjoys their free time playing guitar, cooking, and film photography.

Alex is a junior majoring in Biology with a concentration in Secondary Education. He plans on becoming a high school biology teacher within the Chicago Public Schools system.

Fun Facts: He enjoys playing Japanese role-playing video games such as "Persona 5."

Alicia is a senior Biology major minoring in Biomathematics. She transferred to NEIU from Harold Washington Community College in 2022. Before returning to school, she worked at the Adler Planetarium, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and The Field Museum where she worked as a science educator and collections staff for the bryophyte department. She is passionate about education and improving her science communication skills. After completing her bachelor’s degree, Alicia hopes to attend graduate school to earn a Ph.D. in microbiology to gain the skills needed to pursue a career in infectious disease research.

Fun Facts: Alicia is a plant lady; her home is filled with a collection of plants she has collected on her travels. She also enjoys ceramics, baking, watching anime, and traveling.

Anika is an undergraduate student double majoring in Philosophy and Political Science. This is her third year at NEIU. For one of those semesters, she studied at NEIU’s partner university in Prague and took courses there that concentrated on European international relations. She wants to pursue her academic interests more in depth by attending graduate school.

Fun Facts: Anika likes to keep up with the news and read. Specifically, she enjoys reading books concerning topics she is highly skeptical about. She is always interested in whether they will end up convincing her to change her mind on anything.

Ardeshir is currently pursuing a B.S. in Biology and intends to apply to medical schools. He has a background in aerospace engineering, including a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, with a focus on fluid dynamics, from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and a decade of experience as a management board member and owner of an engineering company involved in planning and project control for the construction of metro lines and stations in Tehran.

Fun Facts: Ardeshir loves visiting beach destinations and spending hours swimming and sunbathing by the shore. Additionally, he has a passion for both running and road biking, often dedicating ample time to pursuing those activities with enthusiasm.

Arshia is a Computer Science major with a concentration in IT. She is eager to learn more about AI and its applications, and Google is her dream company to work for! She loves baking, photography, and reading and wants to learn to play the violin and piano.

Fun Facts: Arshia enjoys thriller and suspense TV shows and books. She is also interested in anime, cars, and gaming. She loves Middle Eastern food, and her favorite thing to bake is tres leches cake — a delicious Mexican delicacy.

Asma is a second-year graduate student pursuing a master's degree in Special Education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Education and Commerce and completed master’s in Sociology and Education. Asma worked for six years in India as a teacher for middle school students teaching English, Social Studies, and Global Citizenship. She hopes to have a career in teaching students with special needs and eventually pursue her Ph.D.

Fun Facts: Asma likes to play lawn tennis and badminton. She also likes listening to music and watching movies.

Daisy is working toward an M.A. in Geography & Environmental Studies at NEIU. Her interest in Geographic Information Science (GIS) applications and how it applies to public health led her interest in also completing graduate certificates in these subjects. She completed her B.A. in Environmental Studies with a minor in Applied Mathematics at NEIU in 2016. Once she completes her M.A. program, Daisy hopes to enter the field of GIS.

Fun Facts: Daisy enjoys watching movies and attending concerts in her free time.

David is a graduate student pursuing an M.A. in TESOL. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. David is an avid reader who also likes to write short stories in his free time. In the future, if it is kind, he hopes to teach abroad — preferably at the university level.

Fun Facts: David loves to play video games with his friends and fluffy dogs. He is also a heavy proponent of the afternoon nap.

Demetra is an undergraduate student majoring in Elementary Education. She is an Illinois Golden Apple Scholar who is passionate about supporting students in schools of need. After she graduates in May 2025, she hopes to teach first or second grade in Chicago Public Schools. In her free time, Demetra enjoys cooking and listening to true crime podcasts.

Fun Facts: She has all five vowels in her last name!

Fawn is a dual major undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art with a Minor in Art History, and a bachelor’s degree in K-12 Art Education. Fawn’s concentration within the art world is ceramics, but she also experiments with other mediums. Fawn appreciates the opportunity for art to be cross-disciplinary and uses her art practice to study and reflect on nature, science, and the human condition. With her education, she hopes to inspire students to broaden their perspectives of the world and be investigative with their art-making. 

Fun Facts: Fawn enjoys traveling, kayaking, rock climbing, fishing, and hiking!

Gabe is currently pursuing a master’s degree in English Composition. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies with a minor in Creative Writing from NEIU in December 2021. His passion for writing led him back to NEIU, where he began his journey to a master’s degree in Fall 2022. He is also the Campus Arts and Life Editor for NEIU’s newspaper, The Independent. 

Fun Facts: Gabe works for his family-owned fencing company. In his spare time, he enjoys long walks, cooking, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Grace is an undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. She transferred to NEIU after obtaining an Associate of Arts in Business and Accounting. In the future, she hopes to become a CPA.

Fun Facts: Some of Grace’s hobbies in her free time include reading and playing tennis.

Habib is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. He is an international student from India. He plans to gain a lot of experience and participate in internships before graduating.

Fun Facts: Habib really enjoys reading, especially crime thrillers, and watching psychological thriller movies. Recently, he has been into rap from his home country and loves beatboxing. He was a runner up in a local beatbox tournament.

Hala is currently a second-year student pursuing an M.A. in Special Education at NEIU. She earned her B.A. in Economics with a minor in Public Administration from NEIU. She currently works as a full-time educator. She is a first-generation college student. Hala likes to help, support and volunteer within the community. 

Fun Facts: Hala's favorite hobbies are cooking and traveling. She enjoys walking, biking and drinking hot tea.

Irene is a senior majoring in Biology. She enjoys working with students and helping them clarify and review concepts learned in class.

Fun Facts: Irene loves to travel and collect vintage cameras and mugs. She also enjoys kayaking and outdoor activities. In her spare time, she enjoys reading romance and historical fiction. Her favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry cheesecake from Ben & Jerry’s.

Jatziry is an undergraduate student double majoring in Spanish and K-12 Education with a minor/endorsement in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). In the future, Jatziry hopes to teach Spanish and ESL at the high school level, while also helping to run an ESL program for parents and guardians within her school district. 

Fun Facts: Jatziry loves to spend time with her loved ones, reading and cooking during her free time. She also enjoys being out in nature and bike riding during the summer.

Jennifer is a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in Elementary Education with an ESL endorsement. Her academic journey began at Harry S Truman College, where she obtained an associate degree in Liberal Arts. She earned a bachelor's degree in Music from NEIU in 2021. Jennifer's passion for education led her back to NEIU, where she began her graduate work in Fall 2022. She is one of the first members of her family to pursue a master's degree, and she shares her educational journey with her sister, who is also a graduate student at NEIU.

Fun Facts: Jennifer adores anything pink and Hello Kitty-themed. She also likes collecting silly little trinkets such as Sonny Angels and Kewpie dolls.

John is a junior majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Cybersecurity. In the future, he hopes to pursue a career in the tech industry. Additionally, he aspires to travel the whole world. John has always been interested in different languages and cultures and aims to become a polyglot one day. 

Fun Facts: In his free time, John loves reading, watching anime and Korean dramas, and listening to music. He also enjoys going to concerts and traveling.

John is a third-year undergraduate in psychology. He is a McNair Scholar and Honors student with a full-ride scholarship to NEIU. John plans on applying to Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology to follow his dream of becoming a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC). John also intends to stay involved in research and academia, perhaps one day becoming a professor.

Fun Facts: When he is not tutoring, studying, or hanging out with his lovely girlfriend, John is likely training Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts. He’s also a huge "Star Wars" fan.

Julian is a Junior pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Biology. He has earned certifications in Electrical and Advanced Electrical from Apex Technical School. His goal in life is to help as many people as he can and to inspire those around him. 

Fun Facts: Julian loves going to bible study with his family and singing worship songs. He loves watching movies and TV shows and reading poetry. He is usually seen walking around campus 
 

Kat is a senior majoring in Psychology who has also taken courses in the College of Business and Technology at NEIU. She is a first-generation student and a returning adult student who has been slowly earning her degree while juggling work and being a mom. Once she graduates, she plans to go to graduate school to study Mental Health Counseling with a focus on Addiction Studies. She hopes to one day become a Program Director for an in-patient treatment facility. She is also interested in Comparative Psychology. 

Fun Facts: Kat has two orange tabbies, Francis and Garfunkel and raised black swallowtail butterflies this past summer. Her favorite book is "The Clan of the Cave Bear" by Jean M. Auel. During her free time, she likes to garden, exercise, and host karaoke nights.

Kio is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching in Middle Level Education with a focus on English language arts. She earned a B.A. in Music from NEIU in 2023. Kio has been a vocalist for a decade and vocally trained since she was 10 years old. She is a crossover singer, a mezzo-soprano opera singer and sings musical theater. Kio teaches voice lessons part time and also works at The Home Depot. Kio has love for teaching and literature which inspired her to continue her higher education journey to become an English teacher. 

Fun Facts: She enjoys learning new things and loves to learn and spread knowledge to others. She loves teaching and watching others have that 'light bulb moment' when learning something new.

Kira is an undergraduate student double majoring in Communication, Media and Theatre and Psychology. Beyond her academic pursuits, she has a profound passion for the arts, including writing poetry, songwriting, singing and exploring holistic health through both practice and writing. As a tutor, her goal is to support students in finding their own voice to express themselves. Kira aspires to further her education through graduate school, aiming to achieve a Ph.D. in her field of interest.

Fun Facts: In high school, Kira participated in a documentary called "Louder Than a Bomb."

Laila is an undergraduate student majoring in Elementary Education. She is passionate about helping children learn and grow. Laila hopes to use her degree to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for elementary-aged children. She plans to pursue a career in teaching after she graduates.

Fun Facts: Laila is a big fan of books and reading. She loves to explore new places and try new things. Laila is also passionate about baking and enjoys making desserts for family and friends.

Maggie graduated from NEIU in May 2023 as a double major in Psychology and Communications. Before becoming a front desk worker at LSC/CAW, she worked as a Psychology tutor in NEIU’s Student Center for Science Engagement. She is now a graduate student pursuing her master’s degree in Human Developmental Psychology at NEIU. 

Fun Facts: Maggie has a background in music and has been in vocal recitals and theater productions. Because of her love of theater, she has participated in shows at NEIU as the hair and makeup artist. One of her favorite bands of all time is Queen. 

Mark came to NEIU as a transfer student in 2019 and earned his B.A. in English in 2021. Mark is currently working on an M.A. in English Composition. 

Fun Facts: Mark loves to read and thinks Milton’s "Paradise Lost" and Cervantes’ "Don Quixote" are the two greatest works of literature ever written. Mark enjoys classic science fiction literature from writers like Isaac Asimov and Robert A. Heinlein, as well as classic shows like "Doctor Who" and "Star Trek." He is also a fan of "Sherlock Holmes" and enjoys classic detective shows like "Columbo" and "Monk."

Mateen is a graduate student in Applied Mathematics and earned his B.A in Mathematics from NEIU in 2020. He has enjoyed being a math tutor at the LSC for the past three years. He plans to become a statistician or work for a college as part of their Institutional Research department or tutoring center.

Fun Facts: Mateen likes to be active: he bikes, plays basketball, and lifts weights. When he eventually gets injured doing those activities, approximately five times a year, he spends his time reading manga, watching football, and playing video games.

Molly is a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Linguistics. She earned her bachelor's degree in Hispanic Studies from Converse College. This is Molly’s second year as a tutor for LSC/CAW. In the future, she hopes to work for the National Park Service.

Fun Facts: Molly’s favorite thing to do is explore North America’s various parks, monuments, and forests. She also loves to help curate and plan road trip itineraries for others!

Nikhitha is a graduate student studying Computer Science. She is an international student from India. Her academic journey has deepened her passion for math, and she loves exploring intricate patterns and real-world applications. She finds it incredibly rewarding to help students build confidence and succeed in their studies.

Fun Facts: Nikhitha’s interests include watching movies, reading fictional books, painting and listening to music. She enjoys sleeping when she's upset, happy, or anxious.

Olga is a first-generation undergraduate student majoring in Political Science, concentrating on international relations and comparative politics. Her primary academic interests are East Asian and Russian politics. Her second major is Interdisciplinary Studies. Olga plans to become an educator after earning a Ph.D. in Political Science. She is also interested in the human resources, marketing, journalism and fashion industries. Olga loves learning languages like Chinese, Thai, Korean and Japanese; her goal is to speak many languages to communicate with everyone in their native language.

Fun Facts: Olga's primary goal in her study path was to get her degree in the U.S. Her favorite American singers are Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber and Rihanna. When she came to the U.S. to study at NEIU, her biggest dream came true: walking on Times Square while listening to all her favorite American songs!

Sara is currently a master's student in Computer Science. My passion for technology drives my interest in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, fields that I find both fascinating and crucial in today’s digital landscape.

Fun Facts: She is an avid reader who enjoys exploring various genres. 

Sharon is a first-year graduate student in Linguistics. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Literary Studies. She enjoys teaching and has taught middle and high school students. Coming from a diverse linguistic background, she finds the language acquisition process very fascinating. Hence, her desire to pursue a Ph.D. to eventually become a professor. 

Fun Facts: Sharon’s favorite thing to do is snack on something light. Maybe that’s why you would always find her whipping up a new recipe she found on Instagram. Sharon also loves to share the proceeds from her cooking escapades with loved ones while spending time with them. 

Suha Amber is a dedicated graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Computer Science at NEIU with a solid foundation from her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering. She aspires to build a career in Product Design and Product Management where she can create technology that truly meets people’s needs. Alongside her academic and career pursuits, Suha is passionate about digital marketing, digital design, and enjoys engaging in video production as a creative outlet. 

Fun Facts: Suha enjoys cooking, baking, and exploring recipes in her free time. She also likes reading, playing Genshin Impact and re-watching Fleabag. 

Syed is a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in Chemistry. He received his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad. He has conducted research and, after completing his master's degree, intends to have a successful career in pharmaceutical analytical research and development. Syed has a strong passion for chemistry and enjoys helping chemistry students. He hopes to eventually pursue his Ph.D. and become a professor.

Fun Facts: In his spare time, Syed enjoys playing chess, gaming, reading, watching movies, listening to music and traveling.

Thalia is a third year English and Justice Studies student. She loves to write and hopes to be an English professor in the future. 

Fun Facts: Thalia enjoys playing her guitar, reading books, and working out at the gym.

Tiara is an undergraduate student majoring in Community Health and taking Public Health courses to prepare for the Master of Public Health program with plans to apply in May 2025. As a nontraditional, first-generation college student, she aspires to pursue a Ph.D. with a focus in gynecological cancers, maternal health, and advocating for health equity for the African American population. 

Fun Facts: Tiara loves to spend her time with her husband and children, watching movies, having game nights or going out to dinner. Tiara also enjoys collecting crystals.

Tyler is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student who received his B.A. in History from UCCS. He loves to help people with all types of writing and wants to talk about all of your research ideas. Tyler dreams of opening his own private counseling practice someday. 

Fun Facts: Tyler is an amateur astronomer and outdoor enthusiast. He also loves science fiction, baseball, and playing strategy games in his free time. If he had to pick a favorite book, board game, and movie it would probably be "Dune." 

Velma is a senior majoring in Biology with a minor in Sociology. As an international student from Sierra Leone, she's embraced every opportunity to learn and grow in her academic journey. Velma is excited to plan for graduate school, where she aims to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. program to blend her passion for medicine and research. 

Fun Facts: A fun fact about her is that she thrives under pressure. She finds that it brings out her best work!