Academic Affairs Adds Three

Dr. Cross has joined the Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program (I-LEAP) as an academic skills specialist. Before joining the college, he held a postdoctoral fellowship in outreach at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. He completed a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management here at Illinois, a master’s degree in Sport Management at Southern Illinois University, and a Ph.D. in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership at Illinois.

After completing his master’s degree, Dr. Cross returned to Illinois as an academic counselor in the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, where he mentored student athletes in football, track, gymnastics, and softball. He went on to a position as academic advisor in the College of Education, where Dr. James Anderson, now dean of the college, encouraged him to pursue doctoral studies.

“I consider Dr. Anderson to be one of the pillars of the University of Illinois who, along with Dr. Michael Jeffries [former Associate Dean of Students and Director of McNair Scholars and the Office of Minority Student Affairs] and Dr. Clarence Shelley [former dean of students and associate vice chancellor] moved the University forward on issues of diversity related to race and ethnicity, religion, and disability,” he said. Continuing that legacy is one of the reasons he was interested in the position with I-LEAP, which provides academic, interpersonal, and professional support to first-generation students, students from underrepresented groups, student athletes, and those recognized by the President Awards Program (PAP) and Educational Opportunities Program (EOP).

“I met Mannie Jackson, and I understand his vision,” he said. “My experiences as a former student athlete, student of color, and alumnus of this college will help me connect with I-LEAP students, who also will benefit from my passion for coaching people to succeed.”

Hollie has joined AHS as an advisor for the Community Health degree program. She replaces Carol Firkins, who retired in May, and will serve students with last names that begin with the letters A through K. She earned two degrees at Eastern Illinois University: an undergraduate degree in Psychology, and a master’s degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis on college student development.  

Hollie joined AHS from the University of Illinois Career Center, where she was an assistant director with responsibility for health professions advising, graduate school information, and community engagement. She had previously spent 15 years with the Campus Center for Advising and Academic Services, where she was an academic advisor for the Division of General Studies. In these positions, she helped students to identify and develop their strengths and interests while exploring majors and career paths. She said she especially enjoyed working with students who were pursuing health-related careers and leapt at the chance to work with students in her “favorite major on campus.”  

“I love interacting closely with students, helping them through the ups and downs and trials and triumphs of college life, and I especially love working with those who are interested in helping others,” she said.

Hollie has given presentations at national, regional, and state divisions of the Academic Advising Association and is a member of the central and national divisions of the Association of Advisors for the Health Professions and the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Charles has joined AHS as director of career services from a position as coordinator for career development and service learning at Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He will create and teach career development courses and workshops, provide career counseling services, develop and oversee recruiting events and coordinate recruiter visits, and build and maintain relationships with corporate representatives and alumni to develop both full-time and internship positions. His work will require intensive collaboration with AHS faculty and staff, as well as career services personnel across campus and within the Chez Veterans Center and the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services.

Charles thought the new position within AHS would be a great challenge. His interest grew as he learned about the college’s many “firsts,” but what really solidified his interest was his campus visit. “I was grateful to learn that I will be working with a team that truly cares about students, and each other,” he said. He also was impressed by the students he met and said he will apply what he learned working with nursing and allied health majors in his previous position to his work here. “While many AHS students have a clear understanding of their professional pathway, I hope that my experience in career development will be of service to those who have yet to find their passion,” he said.

Charles earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance and a master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration at Michigan State University. He has given presentations at conferences of the Massachusetts Community College Advising Association and the American College Personnel Association, served on the Board of Directors of Child Care of the Berkshires, and as a committee co-chair for the New England Commission of Higher Education Accreditation Standard Committee.