Sarah (Brown) Smith ’04

Sarah (Brown) Smith ’04 was named associate principal for curriculum and instruction at Andrew High School, in Tinley Park, Illinois, in March 2021, ahead of the 2021-22 academic year. Sarah previously served as division chairman of the English, English learners and music programs at Sandburg High School in Orland Park, Illinois. 

 

Megan Presnak ’04

Megan Presnak ’04 participated in a Careers in Technology Panel with the Hart Career Center at Illinois Wesleyan University on February 24, 2021. Moderated by Andrew Shallue, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Megan and other alumni discussed careers in technology, software development, consulting, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cyber security with IWU students.

Megan is a Business Information Security Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield (cyber security) in Dallas.

TAG Day 2021

Monday, February 8 is Thank-A-Giver Day at Illinois Wesleyan and we’re eager to celebrate generous Titans!

Thank-A-Giver (TAG) Day is the symbolic point during the academic year — about 70% of the way through — when tuition dollars are exhausted and Illinois Wesleyan relies on donor generosity to continue providing a world-class education and rewarding collegiate experiences.

Each and every year, every gift matters. Contributions benefit students and faculty, enhance academic excellence, and strengthen the IWU community.

Thank you to all who give back to move IWU forward.

Gianina Baker ’04

Central Illinois Business Magazine named Illinois Wesleyan University alumna Gianina Baker ’04 its Woman of the Year from the publication’s “Forty Under 40” class.

Baker is the associate director at the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA), a resource-research institute founded to discover, document, and disseminate effective assessment of student learning practices at colleges and universities. She is also vice president of the Champaign Community Unit School District 4 school board and recently helped pass a resolution that declares racism a public health crisis, ensuring that the necessary attention and resources will be directed to this issue.

Baker graduated from Illinois Wesleyan in 2004 with a degree in psychology, before earning a master’s degree in human development counseling from Saint Louis University and a Ph.D. in education policy, organization & leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

One of the most decorated student-athletes in Illinois Wesleyan history, Baker was an eight-time All-American, and a member of the 2004 Indoor National Champion 4×400 meter relay team. Baker was also president of the Black Student Union; co-President of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee; resident advisor; and assisted/led/hosted a variety of initiatives on the IWU campus.

Baker remains involved with Illinois Wesleyan as a member of the Council for Women. She will be among the presenters for a Titan Talks webinar on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. titled: “ Leaders in Education – Rising to the Challenges of COVID-19.”

Central Illinois Business Magazine ’s “Forty Under 40” recognizes the professional achievements and community involvement of young leaders in Central Illinois.

Read more here.