Alumni Association Board of Directors

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

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: President Elect, Nominating Committee Chair

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: VP Engagement - Committees, Awards Committee Chair

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: VP Engagement - Affinity Groups

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: Secretary, Governance Committee 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

Jessica Lothman '06

Milwaukee, WI
Commercial and Public Finance Attorney at Foley & Lardner LLP.
IWU Major: Sociology (Minor in Psychology)
IWU Activities: Student Senate Executive Committee, Varsity Softball, Habitat for Humanity, Student Alumni Council
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Weave together your passions and plot your own course. 
Why are you an active alum? A female alum I met as a student at a meeting helped me to find an internship states away, which was very, VERY influential in my career path. I wanted more students to be able to connect with alumni to help network and find their way. I helped found the IWU Women's Council with that alum (and others) and am proud to be able to now help IWU students and to network with fellow Titan women. 
AABD Position: Council for IWU Women 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 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 a Fortune 500 Company
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

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

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