Lauren Nelson ’09, who teaches Russian at Pritzker College Prep in Chicago, was recently named a Distinguished Teacher by Noble Schools. When asked what she loves about teaching, Lauren says, “I love hearing my students confidently speak in a language that’s notoriously difficult to learn. I love that I get to combine my content knowledge with creativity, humor, and fun. I love that teaching has made me more patient, empathetic, and thoughtful.” You can read more here. Congratulations Lauren!
Zac Birch ’09 graduated from Northern Illinois University with his Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration in May 2024. His dissertation research focused on the Generation Z college students’ conceptualizations of and engagement with leadership opportunities on campuses. As he completed the dissertation work, he took a job with the University of Illinois-Chicago as the Director of Residence Life. Congratulations Zac!
Melanie (Essayans) Boyajian ’09 recently welcomed Benjamin into the world on March 1st! Congratulations!
For many people, finding a fulfilling career that aligns with their passion and values is a lifelong quest. But for Alexandria Gohla ’09, a school social worker at Geneva High School, it is a reality that she lives every day.
Ms. Gohla has been working as a school social worker at GHS since August of 2023, but she began her career as a social worker in 2011 and has been helping students at school districts throughout the Chicago suburbs cope with various challenges and obstacles that they face in their personal and academic lives ever since. She says that her favorite part of her job is the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of her students.
“Knowing that I can be there for them during their toughest times, whether it’s dealing with personal struggles, family issues, or academic challenges, that’s what truly motivates me to get out of bed in the morning,” she said.
You can read more here.
For many people, finding a fulfilling career that aligns with their passion and values is a lifelong quest. But for Alexandria Gohla ’09, a school social worker at Geneva High School, it is a reality that she lives every day.
Ms. Gohla has been working as a school social worker at GHS since August of 2023, but she began her career as a social worker in 2011 and has been helping students at school districts throughout the Chicago suburbs cope with various challenges and obstacles that they face in their personal and academic lives ever since. She says that her favorite part of her job is the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of her students.
“Knowing that I can be there for them during their toughest times, whether it’s dealing with personal struggles, family issues, or academic challenges, that’s what truly motivates me to get out of bed in the morning,” she said.
You can read more here.
Elizabeth Shlicht ’09, CAE was recently installed as Chair-Elect of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Society of Association Executives (WSAE).
Congratulations to Elizabeth!
Anthony Gunnell ’09 and Jayme (Thomas) Gunnell ’10 welcomed Theodore Stanley Gunnell to the world on May 25, 2023. He is welcomed by older brother, Lachlan (age 2). Congratulations to you both! 
Andrew Herrington-Gilmore ’09 and Lauren (Giannini) Herrington-Gilmore ’08, founders of The Gilmore Family Foundation, recently had a very successful Fundraising Gala that was held in Chicago. At this Gala, there were 300 people who attended, 20+ sponsors, and nearly 70 IWU alums. They raised over $250,000, all of which will go to The Rare Disease Program at Children’s Wisconsin to “support both the infrastructure required to provide coordinated clinical care and provide opportunities for ongoing research collaboration in pediatric rare diseases.” You can read more about The Gilmore Family Foundation here.
Nicole (Pilotte) Carmen ’09 and Mitch Carmen ’09 welcomed their son, Conor Gregory Carmen, to the world on December 5, 2022. Congratulations to you both!
Andrew Herrington-Gilmore ’09 and Lauren (Giannini) Herrington-Gilmore ’08 were recently featured in The Pantagraph to share more about their organization, The Gilmore Family Foundation. This foundation was cofounded by Lauren and Andrew and their mission is to “raise money to support childhood rare disease treatment, discovery, diagnosis, awareness and research.” You can read the article about the journey of their foundation here.