Adriana Castillo, M.Ed., SSS Access
Adriana
Castillo
M.Ed.
Academic Advisor, SSS Access
TRIO Student Support Services
Expertise
Student services, relationship building, holistic advising, student empowerment.
Education

University of Illinois at Chicago, M.Ed., Urban Higher Education

University of Illinois at Chicago, B.A., Sociology

Background

Drawing from personal experience as a first-generation college student from a PELL-eligible background, Adriana brings a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by students navigating higher education. As a former financial aid counselor and student high-impact practice coordinator, she aims to foster opportunities that enrich students' academic and professional journeys.

Adriana recently earned her Master's in Urban Higher Education at University of Illinois at Chicago and is eager to continue making a positive impact in the field of education.

Additional Information

Top five strengths: Positivity, Developer, Empathy, Connectedness, Belief

.

a-castillo21@neiu.edu

Room LIB 411
91Porn
5500 N. St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60625
United States

Office Hours
Regular Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Lunch: Noon-1:00 p.m.
Paris Puckett
Paris
Puckett
M.A.
Academic Advisor, SSS Teacher Preparation
TRIO Student Support Services
Expertise
Rapport building, holistic advising, student services, student engagement, team collaboration, professional flexibility, stakeholder relationship management, project management, budget management.
Education

Columbia College Chicago, B.A., Journalism

Lewis University, M.A., Organizational Leadership

Background

Paris has four years of experience in higher education as a financial aid and academic advisor, and three years experience working in an elementary education school district in the area of student and administrative services, and as a classroom teacher assistant for special education.

She completed her bachelor's degree in Journalism at Columbia College Chicago and her master's degree in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education at Lewis University. She is excited to share her passion for student services to assist TRIO SSS Teacher Preparation students overcome cultural barriers while reaching their educational goals.

Additional Information

Top five strengths: Connectedness, Individualization, Strategic, Belief, Developer 

with Paris.
 

Room LIB 406
91Porn
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Office Hours
Regular Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Lunch: 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Office (773) 442-4973
Mobile (312) 805-1522
Stacy Alikakos, B.S.
Stacy
Alikakos
B.S.
Academic Advisor, SSS Achieve
TRIO Student Support Services
Expertise
Critical thinking, academic advising, foster relationships and community, integrative learning, responsive student programming, student empowerment
Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.S., Integrative Biology

Background

Stacy is determined to see NEIU undergraduates thrive by providing them guidance and meaningful support on their journey. Her drive to help students is cardinally motivated by her own undergraduate experience. She navigated her degree alone with a lot of needless difficulty but now heartily applies the lessons she learned to benefit the next wave of students. Prior to advising in TRIO Stacy has worked at NEIU as an admissions representative in Enrollment Services, a program advisor in the College of Business and Management, and a coach for science, math and psychology students. She is also a current graduate student at NEIU in the Department of Geography & Environmental Studies. She treasures studying and working with NEIU students because they are dynamic, inspiring and at the vanguard of excellence.

Additional Information

Top five strengths: Learner, Harmony, Input, Intellection, Individualization

 with Stacy.

iaalikak@neiu.edu

Room LIB 410
91Porn
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Office Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Lunch: 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Erin Long, LSW, M.Ed.
Erin
Long
LSW, M.Ed.
Assistant Director, SSS Access
TRIO Student Support Services
Expertise
Individualized success planning, holistic advising, building relationships, applying a strengths perspective to working with students, project management, needs assessment, research, advocacy.
Education

DePaul University, Master of Social Work

Lamar University, Master of Educational Administration

Ohio University, B.S., Interpersonal Communication

Background

Erin has always loved working with students and her 10-year teaching career took her across the U.S. -- from Western Colorado to San Antonio, Texas, to Kansas City! She relocated to Chicago to be closer to her adorably goofy nephews and graduated in June with her Master of Social Work from DePaul University. She earned her LSW in November 2018. Erin is excited to connect with NEIU students on their educational journeys. As coordinator of the TRIO SSS Access program, Erin hopes her office will be a place everyone feels comfortable stopping by. She’d love to chat with you about your interests … feel free to ask about her time as a National Parks ranger or what podcast she’s listening to lately.

Additional Information

Top five strengths: Empathy, Positivity, Responsibility, Achiever, Learner

Room LIB 404
91Porn
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Office Hours
Regular Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Lunch: 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Christina Matuschka, Ph.D.
Christina
Matuschka
Ph.D.
Assistant Director, SSS Teacher Preparation
TRIO Student Support Services
Expertise
First Generation College Experience, Students with Children, Single Mother Students in Higher Education, Non-Traditional Students, Adult Students, Teacher Preparation Programs, College Success Strategies, First Year Experience Curriculum, Public Speaking, Presentation Skills, Event Planning
Education

91Porn, B.A., Communication

91Porn, M.A., Higher Education Leadership

DePaul University, Ph.D., Curriculum Studies

Background

Dr. Matuschka was born and raised in Chicago where she attended Chicago Public Schools. She was the first in her family to attend and graduate from college. NEIU is like her second home because she completed an undergraduate degree in Communication (2004), a graduate degree in Higher Education Leadership (2007), and has worked here in numerous roles. Her career in higher education started as a Graduate Assistant in Academic Advising in 2005, she went on to establish an Off Campus Program for SIUC, and then began a position in Teacher Preparation in 2011. Since then, she has taught in the First-Year Experience program, completed a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Curriculum Studies at DePaul University, conducted research studies, and completed projects for the Goodwin Dean of Education. She’s happy to be working with future educators as the new TRIO Assistant Director of Teacher Preparation. 

Additional Information

Top strengths: Input, Achiever, Learner, Connectedness, Relator

 

Room LIB 409
91Porn
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Office Hours
Regular Hours
Monday: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Lunch: 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Office (773) 442-4972
Mobile (312) 805-7897