Year in Review 2024

Top 5 Metro Regions:

• Chicagoland, Northwest Ind. and Wis. 259,661
• Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif.:  5,760
• San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland, Calif.:  4,662
• New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania:  4,274
• Washington, D.C.; Baltimore, Md.; Arlington, Va; W.Va.; and Pa.: 3,362

Top International Regions

• India: 4,846*
• China: 3,736*

*International locations not shown on map

• No. 1 in social mobility and No. 1 best value in Illinois – The Wall Street Journal
• Top 10 in social mobility in the U.S. – U.S. News & World Report
• Top 40 among U.S. public universities – U.S. News & World Report
• Top 30 in ethnic diversity – U.S. News & World Report

• 1 in 3 Illinois pharmacists were trained at UIC.
• 1 in 7 Chicago Public Schools students engaged with a UIC-prepared teacher.

Each year, the Chancellor and the UIC Alumni Association recognize alumni who exemplify professional excellence, humanitarian leadership and unwavering dedication to UIC. On April 18, 2024, we celebrated seven remarkable individuals at the Alumni Awards Celebration for their achievements and the impact of their UIC education.

Mark your calendar for the next Alumni Awards Celebration on April 10, 2025.

Rising Star Leadership Award: recognizes up-and-coming leaders who have shown outstanding leadership skills and initiated meaningful changes within their profession or communities — whether local, regional, national or global.
Erika Sánchez BA ’06
Garth Walker MD ’14

Humanitarian Award: recognizes alumni whose outstanding dedication and leadership significantly improve the lives of others and humanity’s well-being. They embody UIC’s commitment to eliminating disparities in health, education and economic opportunity.
Michael Barrows DDS ’73, Advanced Certificate, Endodontics ’77, MS ’81

Distinguished Service Award: recognizes individuals or couples whose consistent and exceptional service to UIC has significantly contributed to the university’s well-being and the advancement of its mission.
Greg Cameron MPA ’87
*Patricia Hausknost BA ’74
*Awarded posthumously

Alumni Achievement Award: The highest honor bestowed by the University of Illinois Chicago Alumni Association, the Alumni Achievement Award recognizes individuals whose exceptional success and national or international recognition in their fields demonstrates the value of a UIC education across a lifetime.
Eui Geum Oh PhD ’99
Georges C. Benjamin, MD ’78

Last year, UIC Connected evolved with a fresh look and enhanced user experience, drawing students and alumni eager to join this dynamic platform. Their enthusiasm drove a 63% surge in student signups and a 19% increase in alumni registrations in 2024, strengthening connections across the UIC community.

We’re excited to keep growing together and making an even greater impact. Log in or join now to become a part of it.

Thanks to alumni like you, the UIC Alumni Admissions Volunteer Program made a big impact in 2024. From March to May, volunteers reached out to 2,615 admitted students and followed up with 271 who committed to joining UIC in the fall. Their efforts helped future Flames see what’s possible at UIC.

Now, it’s your turn to join this rewarding program. Share your UIC story, connect with prospective students and inspire them to choose UIC. The program reopens this winter—don’t miss the chance to make a difference. Learn more and sign up here.

The UICAA played a key role in welcoming UIC’s newest students at the 17th annual Convocation, a signature event that kicks off the academic year and celebrates the start of their journey into the UIC community. As part of the tradition, the UICAA led the Lighting of the Flame ceremony, introducing students and their families to UIC’s proud legacy.

Thanks to the dedication of more than 100 alumni judges, the 2024 Undergraduate Research Forum was a resounding success. This annual event gave undergraduate students the opportunity to present their research, while alumni judges played a vital role in evaluating their work and helping them grow in their fields.

By volunteering as a judge, you directly support UIC’s mission as a leading urban research university. The UICAA proudly serves as your connection to ambitious, aspirational initiatives that advance UIC’s commitment to innovation and discovery. Mark your calendar for the 2025 Undergraduate Research Forum on April 21.

In June 2024, Sparky’s Summer Kickoff at Top Golf in Naperville brought together recent graduates and alumni like you to reconnect, reminisce and build new ties. Beyond golf, the evening featured opportunities to network, share memories and enjoy an exciting raffle.

In November, Homecoming festivities welcomed you to a tailgate before the men’s basketball game. With exclusive UIC-branded items, food vouchers and game tickets, the event was a spirited celebration of UIC pride. Your energy helped cheer the Flames to an electrifying 91–79 victory over Yale.

In 2024, the UICAA partnered with the UIC Bookstore to host two graduation fairs for spring and winter graduates. The events offered a one-stop shop to gather information about graduation and an opportunity for graduating students to learn about the alumni association. The UICAA also welcomed over 6,000 UIC graduates to the alumni association through various print and digital marketing efforts, including a special UIC pin provided to each graduate at the commencement ceremonies.

In December 2024, the UICAA continued its tradition of honoring Golden Graduates, or alumni celebrating 50 years since graduating. The class of 1973 was invited back to campus to participate in the December Commencement ceremony and celebrate together. This special annual ceremony continues to be a highlight for UIC as we honor our 50-year graduates.

The UICAA’s alumni affinity networks celebrate shared experiences and strengthen our alumni communities. In 2024 Umoja: Black Legacy Alumni Coalition honored UIC’s history while supporting student recruitment and retention by hosting a basketball game reception during Black History Month and joining the African American Academic Network for the Black 2 School Barbecue.

Unidad: Society of Latine/a/o/x Alumni launched in June 2024 to foster a student-to-alumni-to-leadership pipeline. Its inaugural reception in September marked the start of a legacy of community and empowerment.

Contact Janette Guzman to learn about growing our networks.

On April 4, 2024, UIC celebrated the investiture of Marie Lynn Miranda as our tenth chancellor, and thanks to the UIC Alumni Association, you had the opportunity to join us in this historic celebration, which included campus events, a formal investiture ceremony and a day of community service.

During the ceremony, Chancellor Miranda passionately reaffirmed UIC’s commitment to values of access, vitality, empowerment and creativity. The event also featured University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen, faculty in academic regalia, and a special gift from the University of Illinois System marking Miranda’s official vesting with the authority to lead.

Together, we celebrated both Chancellor Miranda’s leadership and UIC’s continued upward trajectory since she began her role in July 2023.

On March 21, 2024, the UICAA hosted a breakfast with Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda at the Yotel Art and Soul in Washington, D.C., bringing together alumni like you for a unique opportunity to connect. Among the attendees were Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, D-Ill. BA ’98, and UICAA Board Member Jordan Tegtmeyer MBA ’03, alongside UIC students who participated in a two-day University of Illinois System lobby day in the nation’s capital.

This event offered Washington D.C.-area alumni a chance meet Chancellor Miranda, celebrate UIC’s impact and strengthen the bonds within our community. Thanks to those who attended, the UICAA is one step closer to establishing a lasting tradition of alumni events in Washington, D.C. Stay tuned for another opportunity to connect at a UIC alumni event in April 2025.

The UIC Alumni Association Board was established in the fall 2020 to advise and support meaningful alumni engagement that connects UIC alumni to one another and the university. Currently, fifty-six alumni volunteer  help support student success, encourage connections among alumni and promote advocacy that drives forward the mission of UIC. You can find out more about the alumni board here.

Alumni Advocacy Committee

The Alumni Advocacy committee attended several government relations programs including the UI State Government tour, U of I Lobby Day in Springfield, and several other events throughout the year representing UIC alumni and advocating for university priorities. Chair Peter Skosey (add in grad info) also leads a group of UIC students on visits with legislators to advocate on behalf of the UI system.

Alumni Career Services Committee

The Alumni Career Services committee hosted Alumni Career Month in June featuring a blog series with topics such as careers in technology, law, career coaching and career trends. The committee continued their work to enhance the UIC Connected platform for alumni and students. With the platform’s recent upgrades in August, there are now even more ways for alumni to enhance their profiles, mentor students and connect with other alumni. The committee also collaborated with the UICAA and the UIC Office of Careers Services to hold the inaugural Flames Connect event, which brought together alumni and UIC students for an afternoon of networking, advice sharing and pizza.

Alumni Loyalty and Benefits Committee

The Alumni Loyalty and Benefits Committee continued an audit of current alumni benefits on the UICAA website and made recommendations for enhancements, sent an outreach with the Annual Report to UIC/UICAA life members, and explored ways to welcome former UI Alumni Association life members to the UICAA.

Awards and Nominations Committee

In the early spring, the Awards and Nominations Committee evaluated and slated four new alumni board members who where approved by the UIC Alumni Board and they began their term on July 1. The committees reviewed and selected the 2025 Alumni Award recipients in the fall of 2024. These individuals will be honored on April 10, 2025.

Outreach Committee

The Outreach Committee explored ways for affinity groups to build relationships with campus student organizations and to increase marketing efforts to increase affinity group membership. The group also supported the Alumni Admissions Volunteer Program, resulting in alumni contacting 2,400 prospective freshman students.

Student and Recent Alumni Engagement Committee

The Student and Recent Alumni Committee worked closely with the UIC Alumni Association to enhance Sparky’s Summer Kickoff, the UICAA’s involvement in UIC Homecoming, the UIC Student Involvement Fair in the fall and the Kickoff to Commencement event to promote the UICAA and alumni benefits and resources. The committee continues to work to understand the current student experience, whether they live on campus, commute or take remote courses, while developing relationships with the Undergraduate Student Government and the College of Business Student Organization.

President Kerl LaJeune BArch ’92

Kerl LaJeune is a distinguished University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) alumnus, having earned two degrees in Architecture (BArch in Design and BArch in Structures) in 1992. This unique combination of design and engineering knowledge equips him with a strong foundation for addressing complex architectural challenges. A committed and passionate volunteer, LaJeune has held numerous leadership positions, including serving as President of the UIC Alumni Association Board (UICAA), a founding member of the UICAA board, and Chair of the UIC Alumni Awards and Nominations Committee. His goal as President of UICAA is with supporting the 344,000+ alumni in the community for meaningful engagements and impact to the campus.

He is known for his passionate involvement in the academic community, as a faculty at the three major architectural institutions in Chicago at the UIC School of Architecture, IIT and Archeworks, where he focused on teaching the intersection of design and tectonics. He has also contributed to several other academic alumni boards, such as the CADA Architecture Alumni Board, UIC Alumni Engagement Advisors, Campus Alumni Advisory Board, and the University of Illinois Alumni Association (UIAA) System Board of Directors.

Kerl is an Architect currently serving as Director of Planning and Design at the Public Building Commission (PBC) of Chicago, overseeing new and renovated local and municipal public facilities projects and infrastructure on behalf of the City of Chicago per the Mayor’s Office for Cook County and various sister agencies. Each project represents a unique opportunity to reimagine urban spaces as catalysts for community empowerment, through thoughtful and transformative design.

President-Elect Mary Maryland PhD ’94

Mary Maryland PhD ’94 is a primary care provider at WellBe Senior Medical and a proud alum of Malcolm X College, where she got her associate’s degree, and UIC’s College of Nursing, where she became the seventh African American student to achieve a PhD. Read more.

We are excited to introduce the newest members of our Alumni Association team who joined during the 2024 fiscal year.

Damaris Tapia, Executive Director
Damaris comes to us from Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU), where she served as the director of alumni relations for 13 years and reestablished the NEIU Alumni Association and Alumni Membership Program. Prior to that, she was the associate director of alumni relations at UIC’s College of Medicine. In her role at UIC, Damaris manages volunteer leadership and strategy for all alumni engagement efforts on behalf of the university. She earned both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in communications from Northeastern Illinois University.

Ashley Spell, Director, Alumni Engagement, West Campus
Ashley comes to UIC with a rich background in constituent engagement and higher education administration. Most recently, she served as the director of education and awards for AIA Chicago – the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Before joining AIA Chicago, she was the director of alumni relations at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She studied art history and studio art at Virginia Commonwealth University and is a practicing visual artist.

Carl Hunter, Associate Director, Alumni Engagement, West Campus
Carl joined us from the University of Chicago and brings experience in higher education, admissions, student involvement, multicultural student affairs and alumni relations and development. He is a graduate of Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, where he studied history and ethnic studies. He earned his Master of Arts in Conflict and Mediation from Roosevelt University in Chicago. Originally from Harvey, Illinois, he is a connector of people and enjoys making processes equitable, as well as planning events.

Janeen Roland, Associate Director, Alumni Engagement, East Campus
Janeen brings a wealth of experience in engagement and experiential marketing and in her role will focus on building partnerships, bolstering programming and collaborating with colleagues in east campus colleges. Most recently, she brought together her academic knowledge and practical insights as an adjunct faculty member in speech communication at SAE Institute Chicago. Her career includes crafting impactful philanthropic campaigns and managing large-scale brand-building events.

We encourage you to reach out, connect and get to know them better. They are eager to hear from you and to help make your alumni experience even more rewarding.

We would like to thank Ed Cohen BS ’75, immediate past president, and all members of the UICAA Alumni Board for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. Special thanks to our outgoing board members whose terms ended June 30, 2024:

• Jessica Cybulski BA ’09
• Naderh Elrabadi JD ’02
• Peter Fraser BS ’17
• Joshua Hahn MUPP ’16
• Brian Havel BS ’15, DMD ’19
• Patricia Martinez BS ’09, MEd ’13
• David McEllis BA ’04, JD ’12
• Joanne Meyerhoff BA ’71
• Julio Nolasco BS ’02
• Farid Peiravian PhD ’14
• Angelo Poulikakos BS ’04
• Marvin Slaughter, Jr. BA ’19
• Kelly Anne Smith MSW ’08
• Hugo Teruel

Congratulations to Bill Merchantz, who served as the immediate past president from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024. He was designated as the first emeritus board member of the UICAA.