People
We at the Illinois Leadership® Center pride ourselves on the fact that we are more than a resource center. We are a people center. Simply stop by to talk or make an appointment, we are always here to help.
We are here to talk about anything on your mind from how you are doing to developing, and assisting you in strengthening your leadership skills. For example, we can talk about conflicts in your organization; we'll help you sort out the issues and move towards real solutions. Or we can discuss a plan to effectively transition a new executive board of the organization into their responsibilities. The Center staff provides mentoring, advising, and consulting.
The staff provides and guides you toward opportunities to develop these life skills.
As members of the staff, Graf Student Interns can give you peer advising. The interns are students just like you; they have gone through it all and survived and understand your concerns and questions. We have a great team of Student Workers – all who are knowledgeable about our programs, most having been participants. They are a great resource for you to ask questions about how to register, what to expect, and even what to wear.
David Rosch
As Assistant Director at the Leadership Center, Dave is responsible for coordinating LeaderShape, supervising the Graf interns, providing direction for the Center’s Consulting Program, and teaching a leadership course. Prior to coming to Illinois he worked at Syracuse University in the Office of Residence Life, teaching leadership and facilitation skills. Dave earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Binghamton University, a Master’s of Science degree in Higher Education from Colorado State University, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Syracuse University. His free time is spent with his wife Laurel and son Collins, and he enjoys playing competitive ultimate Frisbee.
Sara Thompson
Sara Thompson serves as the Acting Director of the Illinois Leadership® Center where she oversees leadership development opportunities for Illinois students including leadership programs, collaborative partnerships for leadership course offerings, the Illinois LeaderShape® Institute and the Graf Internship program. Sara co-chairs the Academic Affairs/Student Affairs appointed Illinois Leadership Coordinating Committee, oversees the use of the Emotional Competency Inventory-University (ECI-U), and works with student groups through the Center’s leadership consulting initiative. Prior to joining the Leadership Center, Sara worked for Arthur Anderson L.L.P. as an internal change management consultant. A two-time graduate from the University of Illinois, Sara earned a B.S. from the College of Business in Organizational Behavior and a Master of Education in Organizational Development from the Department of Human Resource Education. In her free time, Sara enjoys competing in triathlons, teaching spinning, and yoga, hiking, and spending time outdoors.
Kirstin Phelps
Kirstin Phelps is a Program Director at the Illinois Leadership Center. In this role she is responsible for overseeing the Imprint i-programs, helping with curriculum design and development, and coordinating the technology and database improvements. Kirstin also is the liaison for various campus collaborations with La Casa Cultural Latina, Engineering Career Services, the College of Business, and Division of Campus Recreation. Kirstin graduated from the University of Illinois with a M.S. in Agricultural Education and a B.S. in Communications and Advertising. Prior to serving as Program Director, she worked as an advertising representative for the Daily Illini, program coordinator and conference planner for the Physics Department, and assistant editor and marketing consultant for ACTIMAX Learning, a small start-up company. When not at the Leadership Center, Kirstin enjoys cooking, reading, running, and traveling.
NEW DIRECTOR
Leslie Schwartz
Leslie Schwartz is a California native who joined the Illinois Leadership Center staff as a Program Manager. She is responsible for managing the campus-wide Leadership Certificate Program and Consulting Program as well as IGNITE and summer INTERSECT. Leslie is very excited to join the Illini family after spending six years at UCLA where she worked in Residential Life in a transfer student living-learning community coordinating student development and leadership programming. She also worked at the UCLA Higher Education Research Institute on a national longitudinal project that examined how undergraduate students' beliefs and values change during college. Leslie is passionate about working with students to help them develop leadership skills and think critically about ethics, values, and character-related issues. Leslie graduated from UCLA with her B.A. in Mass Communications and minors in Education and Applied Developmental Psychology. She also completed her Master's of Education (M.Ed.) at UCLA in the inaugural cohort of the Student Affairs program. Leslie loves to travel (she's been to 26 different countries!) and visit new places. She collects inspiring quotes and enjoys yoga, playing softball, designing jewelry, trying new recipes, and training others to run marathons.
Angela Ennis
Angela Ennis is the Administrative Aide and newest member of the Illinois Leadership Center’s team. She provides budget and financial support and is responsible for the administrative functions of the Leadership Center. Angie has worked for the University for 14 1/2 years. Previous employment includes working in the New Student Programs Office and the Office of the Dean of Students. In her free time, Angie enjoys riding horses and team roping with her husband, Damon, running, riding 4 wheelers and boating.
LaTanya Cobb
La Tanya was a Program Director in Continuing Education as well as an Academic Adviser for Liberal Arts and Sciences here at Illinois before coming to the Leadership Center. She has a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from Illinois and a Masters of Education: College Student Personal from Eastern Illinois University. La Tanya is responsible for the coordination of the INSIGHT and INTEGRITY I-Programs and sits on several campus committees. She also continues to chair the campus advising association IlliAAC in order to stay connected to the campus community as a whole as well as facilitates an Educational Psychology 203 course for the Program on Intergroup Relations out of the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations. When not in the Leadership Center La Tanya enjoys spending time with her husband and children. She also enjoys spending time with close friends, traveling, working out and reading.
Danielle Davis
Danielle Davis is a new Graduate Assistant for the Leadership Center responsible for managing the INTERSECT i-program. She received her B.S in Accountancy from the University of Illinois. During her undergraduate studies, Danielle had the pleasure of working with the Leadership Center for over two years as a Student Worker and Graf Intern. Danielle is excited to return to the University of Illinois to obtain her Graduate Degree in Higher Education. Prior to working with the Leadership Center, she traveled to numerous countries as an Internal Auditor for a big four accounting firm. Danielle’s passion lies in helping students to realize their potential and dreams. In her spare time, she loves to travel, read, and play volleyball.
Enrique Guerrero
Enrique is a senior double majoring in Communication with concentrations in Cultural Communication and Interpersonal Communication, as well as Latino/a Studies. He is an active member of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. He plans on attending graduate school for a Masters in Educational Policy. To prep for his future, he has become a NUFP (NASAP Undergraduate Fellowship Program) Fellow. In his spare time, he is listening to music or watching movies with his friends.
Paula Guzman
Paula is a senior in the College of Business majoring in marketing and management, with a minor in informatics. This past summer she interned with Google at their headquarter location in Mountain View, California. She is currently the President of ALPFA, Alumni Relations Chair for the American Marketing Association, and Google Campus Ambassador. Paula has had the opportunity to benefit from many of the programs offered at the Illinois Leadership Center and looks forward to helping others learn more about the programs. As a Graf Intern, Paula hopes to gain as much event planning experience as possible and become a better leader. Some of her interests include interior design, e-commerce, event planning and reality television.
Kirsten Musetti
Kirsten is a junior double majoring in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Communication. She is an active member of International Impact and Students Teaming Up to Fight Hunger. In her spare time, she likes to volunteer, play sports like soccer and snowboarding, and spend time with friends. She is currently still exploring career options for the future and is looking into Teach for America or AmeriCorps after she graduates.
Steve Kim
Steve is a Senior majoring in General Engineering and is from Northbrook, a city in the north suburbs of Chicago. In case you are wondering, yes, he is a Chicago Cubs fan. He has been a member of Varsity Men’s Glee Club for three years. Varsity Men’s Glee Club is the oldest registered student organization on campus. He is actively involved with St. John’s Catholic Church on campus and the Newman Hall. Some of the activities that he is involved with are Source and Summit and the Newman Foundation Koinonia. He is also a member of an exclusive club called The Gentlemen’s Summit. He loves to sing and can be heard jamming with his roommate Billy with his guitar during his free time. He is looking forward to working with everyone involved with the Leadership Center and the day that the Cubs win the World Series.
Jennifer Allspach
Jennifer Allspach is a Junior in the College of Nursing. She comes from a small town in central Illinois called Mt. Pulaski where she grew up on her family's farm. After moving to Champaign two years ago, she got involved with the Leadership Center as well as the Student Alumni Ambassadors.
Salvador Hernandez
Salvador is a senior studying Financial Planning with a minor in English. Salvador plans to attend graduate school and obtain a MBA. On campus Salvador is involved with La Unidad Latina Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. and ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting). He is from the city of Chicago and takes interest in reading, listening to music and dancing. Salvador also enjoys staying active by playing basketball, golf, and riding his bicycle.
Michelle Lao
Michelle is a Senior in the College of Media-Advertising and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences-Psychology. She loves to travel and has lived in Taiwan and the Philippines for a few years when she was growing up. Now that she is in the University of Illinois, she enjoys the opportunity to meet diverse people, as well as to develop diverse interests. By working in ILC, Michelle seeks to enhance her ability to work with others and to help people achieve their potential.
Carrie Hokl
Carrie is currently a junior in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences-Chemistry, hoping to be accepted into nursing school within the next year. She is from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. On campus, she is involved with Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Chi Sigma, the National Society for Collegiate Scholars and plays intramural soccer. She loves the University of Illinois because of cheap latte Wednesdays [slight coffee addiction] and the awesome people.
Corey Bandur
Corey Bandur is a Junior majoring in Communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She has enjoyed participating in a number of activities and events that the University of Illinois has to offer, including the Communication Leaders. After completing her Leadership Certificate in the Spring of 2010, she feels very honored and excited to be joining the ILC staff for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Amy Fitzjarrald
Amy Fitzjarrald is a senior in Communication. Amy enjoys attending the large University, because she is from a small farming community with a population of 250 people. Amy is involved with Alpha Phi Omega, Alternative Spring Break, IEI Conversational Partners, and finished her Leadership Certificate in the Spring of 2010. A few of her interests include learning about new cultures, reading, traveling, and spending time with her niece.
Terrance Jackson
Terrance is a junior studying Communication in the College of LAS. He is from the city of Chicago and loves it because of the night life and the spectacular people. He is in his junior year and has attended almost all of the I-programs. He is also enrolled in the Leadership Certificate program. This upcoming year, he plans to strengthen his ties with the Illinois Leadership Center so that he can learn to become an inspirational and moving speaker so that he can help those in need of direction.
Ryan Cronin
Ryan is a sophomore in the College of Recreation Sports and Tourism. His concentration is in Sports Management. Ryan was born and raised in Shorewood, IL nearly all his life. He is a huge sports fan and loves playing soccer and volleyball. Besides his love for competitive atmospheres, he loves to travel, and enjoys social interactions with friends and family.
Neha Mehra
Neha is a senior news-editorial journalism major in the College of Media and has a minor in philosophy. She hopes to eventually end up in law school. She is obsessed with the Food Network, and in her spare time she likes to cook (using what she has learned on the Food Network). She also enjoys drawing, painting, bicycling, and reading fiction.
Kenneth Beyer
Kenneth is a junior in the College of Business studying Accountancy and Finance. His hometown is Peoria, Illinois. He is involved with Phi Gamma Nu Professional Business Fraternity, on the Sleeman Leadership Executive Committee, tutors for the College of Business, and is also a part of the Fighting Illini triathlon team. One of his goals is to compete in the Madison, Wisconsin Ironman.
