Meet Our Student Staff

Abby is an undergraduate student studying Music Education. She is in her fourth year at NEIU and will graduate in Spring 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. Her favorite aesthetics are purple themes and anything with flowers and butterflies. Abby’s favorite composer is Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Aidan is a junior majoring in Accounting. He hopes to follow both his mother and aunt into the world of accounting once he graduates and plans to stay as close to Chicago as possible.

Fun Facts: Aidan has been playing music since he was three years old and is currently in a punk band. Other interests include Formula One (where he supports Scuderia Ferrari), watching TV, and photography.

Alex Broz is a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in Geography and Environmental Studies and a graduate certificate in GIS (Geographic Information Systems). He has a B.A. in History with a specialization in Chinese History and Culture. In his spare time he tends his garden, cooks for his family, and plays the occasional game of Magic: The Gathering.

Fun Facts: Alex lived in China for many years and loves to cook and eat Chinese food. He has two kids and lives near campus.

Alicia is a senior student majoring in Biology with a minor in Biomathematics. She will graduate in December 2024 and plans to then study microbiology in a Ph.D. program. Her long-term goal is to become a scientist and study infectious diseases.

Fun Facts: Alicia is a plant parent. She also is a cozy gamer who likes to unwind playing "Stardew Valley" or "Untitled Goose Game."

Amanda is an undergraduate student majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. When she isn't tutoring or attending classes, she likes to read, listen to audiobooks and go on walks. She has a cat named Cleo.

Fun Facts: Amanda’s favorite genres are science fiction and mystery.

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.

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.

Benjamin is a senior majoring in Community Health with a concentration in public health sciences. He is an intern at K(NO)W More, a sexual violence prevention and intervention program, and a Student Health Ambassador at NEIU, advocating and supporting the student and school community.

Fun Facts: Ben’s favorite things in life are music (pop, rap, nu-metal), movies (comedy/horror), soccer (Barcelona), and mind-wandering. While crossing paths, chances are he’s listening to music!

Brandy is a graduate student pursuing an M.A. in Political Science. Tutoring is one of her passions, because it is an opportunity to expand her mind and gain different perspectives of approaching learning, addressing difficult tasks, and solving problems. Tutoring also provides exposure to different perspectives of life in general. In the future, she wants to pursue further studies.

Fun Facts: Brandy spends her free time reading books on different subjects, taking nature walks, cooking and spending time with family.

Collin is a senior majoring in Mathematics with a focus in Pure Mathematics. He plans to minor in History. One day, he hopes to earn a Ph.D. and work as a professor at a university.

Fun Facts: He loves watching Nickelodeon cartoons from the 2000s: "Rugrats," "All Grown Up," "Ned’s Declassified," Spongebob Squarepants," "Avatar," etc. Finding coffee shops is also a hobby of his.

Crystalin is an undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She expects to graduate in December of 2024. Crystalin is Vietnamese-American who speaks both English and conversational Vietnamese.

Fun Facts: Crystalin is a foodie and loves to try new cuisines. She enjoys crafty hobbies such as sewing, crocheting, jewelry-making and more!

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.

Delaney is currently working towards her bachelor’s in English with a minor in Art History. After graduating, she hopes to continue her educational career and earn a master’s degree in Library Science. In addition to being a tutor at LSC, Delaney works as a page at one of the same libraries she grew up going to.

Fun Facts: Delaney’s absolute favorite band is Rush, and when she used to play percussion from fourth grade to senior year of high school, she was inspired to do so because of their drummer, Neil Peart. She loves to do all things reading and writing in her free time, while also spending time with her family and 16-year-old dachshund, Rupert.

Dessi is an Elementary Education major who will graduate in December 2024. She plans to complete a certification in TESL and begin teaching English to young learners in Europe, a nod to her origins. In the meantime, Dessi’s tutor position gives her the opportunity to guide students within the realm of linguistics, a lifelong passion of hers.

Fun Facts: One of Dessi’s side hustles is illustrating children's (and sometimes poetry) books. Her favorite medium to work with is watercolor.

Eli earned bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Communication (Health Emphasis) from California State University Channel Islands in 2019. Immediately after graduating, he relocated to Taiwan and taught English as a foreign language to elementary, middle and high school students for three years. He also taught in Vietnam and Indonesia. Eli is about to earn a master's degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and hopes to relocate to a warmer climate.

Fun Facts: Eli has been to 16 different countries, one of which was Spain where he participated in the Fiesta de San Fermín celebration in Pamplona, Navarre and almost met his maker during the running of the bulls.

Emily is a senior working towards a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. When she graduates in the fall, she hopes to have her own first grade classroom.

Fun Facts: In her free time she loves to read and watch TV shows. Her favorite show is "Pretty Little Liars," which she has watched about 10 times. She loves to read young adult fiction; she currently loves "The Hunger Games" series.

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.

Jared is a graduate student in Social Work. His bachelor's degree is in Psychology, and his research focuses on gender identity development. Before starting a school career, Jared worked in education as a behavior management specialist and trained animals. He has a passion for helping others find their joy and obsessively talks about microjoys and how to find them. After completing his MSW, Jared plans to go into private practice and support those exploring their gender identity.

Fun Facts: Jared has had the opportunity to visit every continent but one and has traveled around the world three times. His bucket list place to visit is the Galapagos Islands to see the giant tortoises. Jared is also an accomplished artist who paints and creates themes that have to do with emotional development.

Jason earned his B.S. in Biology from NEIU in 2019. After graduation, he spent some time at Abbott Labs and then decided to go back to school to pursue a master's degree. He is currently in his last semester of his master’s degree program in Microbiology. His research is focused on the amphibian chytrid fungus and what has driven its survival.

Fun facts: Jason loves spending time with his dog at home and hanging out with friends. He also loves baking anything from fudge to muffins, cookies, lemon bars, etc. He also enjoys doing crafts such as candle-making and resin work. He loves to read action adventure, mystery or horror/ thriller books.

Jason is an undergraduate student majoring in Philosophy who plans to graduate in May 2024. After graduation, he will begin studying for the LSAT and begin applying to law schools. He aspires to become a published writer with his many short stories.

Fun Facts: Jason is the father of three teenagers and the owner of a small business. He also loves to play Magic: The Gathering in his spare time.

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.

Jaweriya is a senior who will finish her bachelor’s degree in Economics this spring. Her goal is to continue her education by pursuing graduate studies in Economics. She hopes to explore her interest in Health Economics.

Fun Facts: Outside of her academic life, Jaweriya enjoys spending her free time learning new things. One of her favorite hobbies is baking different desserts and practicing her art skills. Her goal for this year is to learn pottery so she can make unique ceramics.

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.

Jeremiah is a senior majoring in Environmental Studies and pursuing a double minor in Biology and Geographic Information Systems. He has interned for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. After college, Jeremiah hopes to pursue a career with the State of Indiana and eventually the federal government in some environmental capacity.

Fun Facts: In his free time, Jeremiah enjoys hiking, watching Premier League football, and hanging out with friends.

John is an undergraduate student majoring in Computer Science with a concentration in Computer Networks and Security and minoring in Economics. 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 manga, watching anime and Korean dramas, and listening to music such as K-pop. He also enjoys going to concerts and traveling.

John is an undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor's degree in Psychology. He graduated from Lane Tech College Prep High School in 2022, where he worked as a writing tutor for two years. After earning a full-ride scholarship to NEIU, John joined the McNair Scholars Program where he currently conducts research about gambling disorders among young adults. He hopes to attend graduate school and fulfill his dream of becoming a clinical psychologist.

Fun Facts: Though far from amazing, John trains MMA and jiu-jitsu for fun. He’s also a huge "Star Wars" nerd and loves serenading his girlfriend with old Frank Sinatra songs.

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.

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.

Lesly is a senior majoring in History and minoring in Sociology. Lesly is also a McNair Scholar and is doing her own research. She intends to graduate in May of 2024 and then pursue a Ph.D. in History. In the future, Lesly hopes to become a university professor. Lesly’s focus is in Indigenous histories of Latin America, specifically in Mexico.

Fun Facts: In her free time, Lesly loves to draw and paint, do her nails, and research medieval history. Some of her favorite shows are history-related, like "The Tudors" and "The Last Kingdom," though she also watches "The Office" for a good laugh.

Mark came to NEIU in 2019 as a transfer student. He graduated in 2021 with a B.A. in English and a minor in Philosophy. Mark stayed at NEIU where he is currently working on his M.A. in English with a focus on Writing and Composition.

Fun Facts: Mark enjoys reading and thinks Milton’s "Paradise Lost" and Cervantes’ "Don Quixote" are the finest pieces of literature ever put to paper. Mark also enjoys old movies and TV shows such as classic "Doctor Who" and "Star Trek: Original Series", "Deep Space Nine" and "Voyager." He also makes a mean omelet.

Mateen is a graduate student working on a master's degree in Mathematics. He completed his bachelor's degree in Mathematics at NEIU and has been tutoring math at the Learning Success Center since Fall 2021. Currently, he is working on his graduate project in which he is determining the best methods to accurately predict volume of cell cancer growth.

Fun Facts: Mateen's favorite places to be on campus are the P.E Complex, Pedroso Center, and the Library. During the semester, he spends his free time at the gym playing basketball, lifting weights and joining the free NEIU gym classes. In the summer, he likes to ride his bike by the lake.

Molly is a graduate student in Linguistics. She earned a B.A. in Hispanic Studies from Converse University in 2021. She is open to whatever possibilities the future holds for her, which may or may not include eventually earning a Ph.D.

Fun Facts: Molly’s favorite bands (at the moment) include Redbone, Colter Wall, and Hermanos Gutiérrez. In her free time she enjoys playing guitar, making beaded jewelry and planning her next road trip adventures.

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!

Rachel is a senior majoring in Justice Studies. After she graduates in May 2024, she intends to pursue law school and practice Civil Rights, Antitrust, or Labor Law. She is passionate about transforming the way we generally think about justice and accountability. When she is not reading or researching, she is involved in community organizing and social justice activism.

Fun Facts: Rachel loves baking and gardening. Her favorite band is Ghost, and she has a black cat named Fish.

Robby is a graduate student working on a master's degree in Linguistics. He received his bachelor's degree from Middle Tennessee State University. He is a poet and photographer and his work can be found in his blog: "The Narrative of a Ginger Aeneas." He also enjoys powerlifting and playing rugby. He hopes to have a career in linguistics, studying the languages and cultures of Central Asia. He would also like to eventually teach on the college level. Robby enjoys writing poetry, ethnographies, reading history, theology and current events. 

Fun Facts: Robby has traveled to over 20 countries. He once worked as a writer for SIL International, a nonprofit organization focused on linguistics. During his work with SIL, he lived in Tunisia and Russia, and traveled to many countries in Europe and Asia, including Ireland, Spain, Siberia, Tajikistan and Thailand.

Sai is a graduate student pursing an M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance. His ambition is to become an investment banker. He enjoys working with students and his fellow tutors.

Fun Facts: Sai spends most of his time playing chess, watching movies, hanging out with friends, and solving puzzles. His dream is to embark on a solo world trip.

Shekira 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. Shekira aspires to further her education through graduate school, aiming to achieve a Ph.D. in her field of interest.

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

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.