Alumni Association Board of Directors

Derrick L. Tillman-Kelly ‘09

Columbus, OH
Chief of Staff in The College of Engineering at The Ohio State University 
IWU Major: Biology (Minor in Cognitive Science)
IWU Activities: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Student Senate, Black Student Union, CHOICE (Peer Health Educators)
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? IWU needs your engagement. I would encourage you to stay connected and offer insights into your current life station - you undoubtedly have something to offer the University, generally, and its students, specifically. And, the University likely has resources that can be of help to you.
Why are you an active alum? I wanted to be an active partner in helping to build a better University.
AABD Position: President

Megan Howe ‘05

Chicago, IL
Managing Director of Revenue at Tier 1 Financial
IWU Major: Business Administration
IWU Activities: Volleyball, Economic Society, Sigma Kappa
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? I've learned that being out of my comfort zone is exactly the place to be. Be fearless, ask when you don't know the answer (we're all figuring life out at different stages!), listen genuinely and intently to everyone you encounter, and learn a skill set that is totally wild.
Why are you an active alum? Illinois Wesleyan in its entirety supported me when I needed it the most throughout my time on campus, which fills me with gratitude to this day. Being a part of the AABD has been my opportunity to give back to the University that gave me so much.
AABD Position: President Elect, Nominating Committee Chair

Desiree Quizon-Colquitt ‘89

Normal, IL
Senior Manager of Global External Supply at Pfizer
IWU Major: Biology
IWU Activities: Titan Band, Concert Band, Student Senate, Circle K
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Reconnect with IWU! Attend a regional event, Homecoming, or Titan Talk. Volunteer to be on a committee or affinity group. Talk to a class. Hire a student. There are so many opportunities to have fun, network, and get involved.  
Why are you an active alum? The cost of college can be overwhelming and daunting to prospective students. Making IWU attractive and affordable to talented and diverse students was a driving force for me to join the Wesleyan Fund Committee. Through the generosity of the Titan community, many students are given the opportunity to receive an excellent liberal arts education.
AABD Position: Vice President of Engagement for Committees, Awards Committee Chair

Paige Buschman ‘17

Bloomington, IL
Associate Director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Illinois State University
IWU Major: Sociology
IWU Activities: President of IWU Pride Alliance 2013-2017, IWU SafeZone Committee Chairperson, Mentor for Illinois Wesleyan University Engaging Diversity Pre-Orientation, Illinois Wesleyan All University Judiciary Committee, Illinois Wesleyan Intercultural Fluency Committee, Council of Inclusion and Awareness
Why are you an active alum? This institution liberated me intellectually and I owe so much of who I am to this place. I also know that students need role models and support so I stay engaged for me and for them. 
AABD Position: Vice President of Engagement for Affinity Groups

Dave Darling ‘79

Tinley Park, IL
Retired Partner/Shareholder from Stone & Johnson, Chtd. Attorneys at Law
IWU Major: Political Science (Minor in Spanish)
IWU Activities: Cross Country and Track (Letterwinner), Intramural Basketball 
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Stay connected and stay involved. Give back to our beloved Alma Mater with your time, talent, and monetary support. 
Why are you an active alum? I love Illinois Wesleyan and all it has provided for me. I want to give back and ensure those going forward have the same love and connection to the University as I have.
AABD Position: Secretary, Governance Committee Chair

Al Black ‘79

Washington, IL
Retired From AT&T 
IWU Major: Business Administration
IWU Activities: Dodds Hall President, Interhall Council, Pre-Weekend Committee Chair for Homecoming ‘78, 4-Year Letterman in Men’s Basketball
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Volunteer! It is a great way to make new friends and affect positive change for others as well as yourself. It does not take as much time as you might think and can be very rewarding and fun, too! Organizations are always looking for volunteers, so it’s important that you choose one (or more!) you have a passion for helping. For example, my primary volunteer organizations are Illinois Wesleyan University, Heart of Illinois United Way, and Washington Helps Its People (WHIP) food pantry.
AABD Position: Regional Chapters Co-Chair

Jazmyne Kellogg '16

Urbana, IL
Director of the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
IWU Major: Sociology
IWU Activities: Black Student Union, Sisters Actively Visualizing Vitality Through Intellect (SAVVI), Multicultural Educator (ORL), Student Senate (Financial Advisory Board), Council for Inclusion and Awareness
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? If you have the time, please get involved! The board and current students can benefit from your brilliance! Let's continue engaging as an IWU family! 
Why are you an active alum? To give back what was given to me! To be a representation of what is possible for current students. 

AABD Position: Alumni of Color Collective Chair

Alison (Braksick) Mullikin '10

Scottsdale, AZ.
Account Executive at Aon
IWU Major: Accounting
IWU Activities: Alpha Gamma Delta, Accounting Society, Ambassador's Club, Student Senate, The Argus
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Pay it forward - think of those that made an impact on you during your years at IWU and give back; even the smallest thing can make a difference.
Why are you an active alum? To stay connected to and involved with the University - I take pride in my Alma Mater!
AABD Position: Regional Chapters Co-Chair

Ed Pacchetti ‘91

New York City, NY
Director of Customer Analytics with U.S. Department of Education 
IWU Major: Psychology
IWU Activities: Student Senate, Acacia
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Get involved and support IWU. Help provide the same opportunities you had to somebody else!
AABD Position: Alumni Academic Resource Council Chair

Jim Richter ‘93

Marquette, MI
Pathologist at Roche Diagnostics
IWU Major: Natural Science
IWU Activities: Theta Chi, Catholic Newman Organization (CNO), Chapel Choir, Gays & Lesbians of Wesleyan (GLOW)
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Be engaged in whatever way best suits you: offer an internship, be a guest speaker/field expert for a course, support student scholarships or come back for Homecoming to celebrate a milestone reunion or just because.
Why are you an active alum? I have been a member of the Pride Alumni Community (PAC) and the AABD for the last decade. I enjoy engaging with other Titans, students and staff to help support students, encourage diversity at Wesleyan, and connect with people who also have a special place in their heart for IWU.
AABD Position: Wesleyan Fund Chair

Rachel Shaffer '17

Phoenix, AZ
Legal Intern at Kappa Kappa Gamma
IWU Major: Political Science and International Studies
IWU Activities: Sigma Kappa Sorority, Titan Orientation Leaders, Titan Ambassadors, Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? You'll never regret reaching out to an old friend.
Why are you an active alum? Representing graduates of the last decade makes me hopeful for the future of Illinois Wesleyan and optimistic for all that will come after me.
AABD Position: Young Alumni Council Chair

Amy Tenhouse ‘97

Arlington, VA
Vice President of Federal Affairs at Molina Healthcare
IWU Major: Political Science and History
IWU Activities: Volleyball, Student Senate
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? It is important to stay connected, collaborate, and network with other alumni. Getting involved with Illinois Wesleyan in some capacity -- through an affinity group or committee – is a great way to do that! 
Why are you an active alum? I want Illinois Wesleyan to continue to have the best and brightest students in attendance. Alums are great ambassadors for the University, and we need to utilize our time and talents to show potential students the great alumni network they will have at their disposal when they graduate from IWU.
AABD Position: Alumni Admissions Advisory Committee Chair

Stella Wang '17

Chicago, IL.
Assistant Director of Academic Programs in the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago
IWU Major: Sociology
IWU Activities: First Generation, Chinese Culture and Communications Club, International Society
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Treasure our memories and connections and hold tight to the IWU peeps!
Why are you an active alum? I want to help build an inclusive higher education experience for diverse populations, and more specifically, to help the international alumni feel connected, energized, and motivated by our common IWU connection and community.
AABD Position: International Alumni Network Chair

Taylor Williams '18

Bloomington, IL
Assistant State's Attorney at the McLean County State's Attorney's Office
IWU Major: Political Science (Minor in Greek & Roman Studies)
IWU Activities: Circle K International President, Alpha Phi Omega Vice President of Community Service, Pi Sigma Alpha Co-President, NAMI Public Relations Coordinator, Titan Orientation Leader
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Remember what opportunities you have been given because of the help of someone else and determine if you can now be the person that provides opportunities for others.
Why are you an active alum? I joined the Council for IWU Women because of the impact the Council had on me when I was a student. After serving on the Scholarship Committee for several years, I am now the Chair. It is great to connect with students through the application process and learn what great things they are doing at Illinois Wesleyan! 
AABD Position: Council for IWU Women Chair

Aaron Harris Woodstein '15

Chicago, IL.
AV Supervisor at Northlight Theatre
IWU Major: BFA Theatre Design and Technology
IWU Activities: Acacia Fraternity, Multifaith Ambassador, Silence Interrupted Co-Founder, Pride Alliance, HvZ
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Find ways to incorporate your passions into your life. Work/life balance is so important.
Why are you an active alum? I wanted to give back to the University and the overall Pride Alumni Community. Through my involvement on campus, I met my husband, found a fulfilling career, and helped build myself into the person I am today.
AABD Position: Pride Alumni Community Chair

Debra R. Burt-Frazier ‘75

Dayton, OH
Assistant Professor of English at Central State University
IWU Major: English and Journalism
IWU Activities: Argus Editor, Resident Assistant, Speech Club, Intramural Basketball (Pfeiffer Hall), Liturgical Dancer, WESN, BSU, Experimental Theater, Pep Squad 
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Remember your IWU days, and the impact that it had on you. Then pledge to support that continuation of a quality education for other students. Support Illinois Wesleyan – Go Titans!
AABD Position: Member-at-Large

Alan Leahigh ‘67

Geneva, IL
Retired from the Cord Blood Association
IWU Major: Journalism and Political Science
IWU Activities: President of Acacia Fraternity
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Keep in touch with your college friends.
Why are you an active alum? I benefited greatly from my undergraduate years at IWU. Participating on the Alumni Association Board of Directors provides an opportunity to give back.
AABD Position: Member-at-Large

Beth Messina ‘81

Buffalo Grove, IL
Registered Nurse at Northwest Community Healthcare 
IWU Major: Nursing
IWU Activities: Tennis, Alpha Tau Delta, Green Medallions
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Stay involved! Reconnecting with IWU alumni and faculty can be so refreshing! 
Why are you an active alum? I especially enjoy encouraging prospective students to consider attending IWU’s School of Nursing, knowing I was well prepared for a fulfilling nursing career and knowing Wesleyan’s nursing program is well regarded in the nursing profession.
AABD Position: Member-at-Large

Brittany Powell ‘10

Chicago, IL
Pretrial Court Liaison Supervisor with Cook County Adult Probation 
IWU Major: Sociology 
IWU Activities: Student Senate, Black Student Union, SAVVY, Track and Field
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Be active, be vocal, be involved. 
Why are you an active alum? IWU helped shape me during my formative years. I want to be a resource for the University as it once was for me.
AABD Position: Member-at-Large

Taylor Robinson ‘21

St. Louis, MO
Registered Nurse at Barnes Jewish Hospital
IWU Major: Nursing
IWU Activities: Student Senate, Financial Advisor Board, IWU Cheerleading, Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, Interfraternity Council, Turning Titan, Posse Foundation
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Be the alumni resource you wish you had as a student!
Why are you an active alum? I want to help unite the young alumni community with the current students. It can be so helpful to have guidance from individuals who were just in your shoes and can give you the most relevant advice.
AABD Position: Member-at-Large

Kate Roessler '13

Louisville, KY
Director of Planning and Assessment at the University of Louisville
IWU Major: Psychology and Business
IWU Activities: Kappa Kappa Gamma, Panhellenic Council, Fraternity & Sorority Programming Board, Student Senate
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Stay connected! You never know what an IWU alum can do for you, or what you can do for fellow alumni!
Why are you an active alum? IWU has given me so much, and I love having the opportunity to give back.
AABD Position: Member-at-Large

Kira Anne West ‘86

Vienna, VA
Criminal Defense Attorney in Washington, D.C.
IWU Major: Social Science
IWU Activities: Collegiate Choir, Kappa Delta
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Stay involved. It's so fun to be with fellow Titans.
Why are you an active alum? I want to stay involved.
AABD Position: Member-at-Large