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.
Virginia Byrne
Virginia comes from Franklin, TN, a town just south of Nashville, though spent most of her childhood between New York and Connecticut. A senior in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing, Virginia plans on attending graduate school for a master’s degree in College Student Affairs. She has been involved with the ILC since freshman year with plans to finish her Leadership Certificate this spring. Outside of the ILC she is involved with the University YMCA as the President of the Student Board of Governors.
Janeen Foriest
Janeen is a junior in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences currently seeking her Bachelor of Arts degree in the Department of Communication. For the past two years Janeen has served on the Illini Union Board as a Traditional Programs Chair in which she plans the university’s Homecoming and Mom’s Weekend events. She is an active leader in her school and in her community serving as a mentor both at the university through the C.O.R.E mentoring program and at the Don Moyer Boy’s and Girl’s Club. When not conducting her studies, Janeen loves to dance with her teammates on Hip-Notic Dance Team as well as spend time with her family and friends. Janeen is very enthusiastic about the upcoming year as a Graf intern and is sure she will have many memorable experiences.
Jake Varney
Jake is a senior in Molecular and Cellular Biology and plans to attend medical school next year. He relishes the time he devotes to rehearsing and performing with the Varsity Men’s Glee Club. As a Student Representative of the Inclusive Illinois campus-wide initiative, he helps to advance a widespread awareness and respect for diversity. In his spare time, you might see Jake playing frisbee or running all around campus. As a Graf Intern, he hopes to make your experience with the Illinois Leadership Center as enjoyable and worthwhile as possible.
Dorothy Spencer
Haling from the small town of Yale, IL, Dorothy Spencer is looking forward to her senior year as an agricultural communications major. A proud member of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, she has had the opportunity to serve on the ACES Student Council, become an James Scholar, and be an active member in various organizations including the Illini Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow and the ACES Student Advancement Committee. After finishing her summer internship in public relations, Dorothy will head back Champaign and the Illinois Leadership Center where she is excited to start putting her leadership experiences to work as a Graf Intern.
Kevin Collins
Kevin is a senior studying Sociology with a concentration in pre-law. Kevin’s dream job would be attending law school to become a corporate attorney. Kevin’s favorite day is his birthday (October 26th), and an interesting fact is that although he stands at a “mere” 6’8”, he was born 2 months premature. Kevin enjoys being at the University of Illinois because of its diversity (“people from around the world attend this university and its great to see that every day”), and his obsessions include ice cream from Coldstone Creamery and Noodles and Co.
Amy Fitzjarrald
Amy Fitzjarrald is a junior in Liberal Arts and Sciences-Communication. Amy enjoys attending the large and diverse 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 will finish her Leadership Certificate this coming fall. A few of her interests include learning about new cultures, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Bailey Hatch
Bailey is a senior in the College of business majoring in marketing with a minor in Sociology. She considers the ILC to be her second home but also spends time with the ladies of Society of Women in Business and is a member of Illini Cycling. She loves to swim, run, and bike and hopes to do more triathlons soon. Icecream, peanut butter and sparkling water from Walgreens (although not the Walgreens on Green because they only have Orange flavor) are her weaknesses. An interesting fact is that Bailey won second prize in a Twix Commercial Contest last year and won a free Macbook. So next time, think it over with a Twix. Or just sign up for an i-Program.
New Student Worker
Salvador Hernandez
Salvador is a senior studying Financial Planning. 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.
Brendan Ori
My name is Brendan and I am now a senior finance major in the College of Business. I am from the Southside of Chicago. My dream is to attend law school after I graduate and one day be a sports agent or a politician. I play for the Illinois Men’s Volleyball Team and I also work for Illini Football as a student recruiter. I love the University of Illinois because of the friends I have made. I also love bagel dogs more than anything in the world.
Charitee Rummage
My name is Charitee Rummage and I am now in my fourth year of undergraduate studies majoring in Communication. I am involved in two organizations on campus, the Minority Association for Future Attorneys and the National Honor Society for Collegiate Scholars. My career plan is to become an attorney. Upon the completion of my bachelor's degree, I plan to go directly to law school. My legal career will be filled with service to others. I plan to legally advocate on behalf of underrepresented groups in society. This type of work directly parallels what I aspire to do in the future as an individual.
Mauriell Amechi
Mauriell is currently a junior studying Communication and Sociology with goals to pursue a Ph.D. in higher education administration. Mauriell's dream job is to become a practitioner of education policy. In addition to his student worker position in the Illinois Leadership Center, Mauriell occupies much of his free time by being proactive on campus through his involvement with the Peer Outreach Program, Alcohol Explored through Interactive Theater (ACE-IT) Program, Student Senate Committee on Cultural and Minority Affairs (CAMSA), 100 Strong Program, I-Promise Student Outreach Committee, as well as the Provost Student Advisory Board. Despite his obstacles as a parent-less student, Mauriell is an individual who not only seeks to inspire others but also to impact change in our society.
Mary Kate McHugh
Mary Kate McHugh is a senior pursuing a major in Psychology and a minor in Business, an academic path more commonly known as "Pre-Grad School." Other than the ILC, Mary Kate is involved in the Student Alumni Ambassadors, Campus Tour Guides, and is a peer advisor at the Study Abroad Office. Last semester, she studied abroad in Verona, Italy. Although she misses Italy, she is glad to be back in town and bleeding Orange and Blue!
