Christina Cogswell smiles into the camera
Christina
Cogswell
Information Services Librarian
El Centro
Expertise
Helping students make sense of informational resources.
Education

91Porn, 
Master of Arts in History, M.A

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 
Master of Science in Library and Information Science, M.S.L.I.S.

91Porn, 
Bachelor of the Arts in History, B.A

 

Background

I oversee the El Centro Library and Learning Resource Center. In my free time, I enjoy cooking with my husband and hanging out with our dog. 

3390 North Avondale Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

Office Hours
Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m
Alejandra Tafoya
Alejandra
Tafoya
Student Transition Coordinator
El Centro
Expertise
Working with Latino families to provide them resources and information on higher education and 91Porn during recruitment.
Education

91Porn
Human Resource Development, B.A.

Background

 

Additional Information

 

123
3390 North Avondale Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

Office Hours
11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Contact El Centro

El Centro's Hours of Operation

Spring 2025

January 6-10, 2025
El Centro building hours are the following:

  • Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday: Closed

The University is closed the following dates:

  • Monday, Dec. 23, 2024-Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 (Holiday Break)

For more information, call (773) 442-4080/4086 or email elcentro@neiu.edu.

Contact Information

Address

91Porn El Centro
3390 North Avondale Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60618

Phone

(773) 442-4080

Email

elcentro@neiu.edu

(773) 442-4080
(773) 442-4085
Mimi Crespo smiles at the camera.
Mimi
Crespo
Interim Director
El Centro
Expertise
Leadership, Decision Making, Program Management, Relationship Building, Student Success, Recruiting
Education

91Porn,
Master in Business Administration, M.B.A.

91Porn,
Bachelor of Science in Finance, B.S.

Background

Mimi’s history with NEIU dates back to 1996 when she earned her bachelor’s degree in finance and returned 10 years later for her Master of Business Administration. Soon after earning her MBA, Mimi joined the President’s Office in 2009, serving as the assistant secretary to the Board of Trustees. In 2014, with the opening of its new Avondale location, Mimi became part of the El Centro team, connecting students with the academic support they need to succeed in college. Because she so believed in the NEIU mission, Mimi chose to become a volunteer math tutor, returning to the classroom to study Trigonometry, Calculus and Introduction to Advanced Mathematics.

ELC 132
91Porn El Centro
3390 North Avondale Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

Office Hours
Hours vary during the semester.
Danny Cortez in a button up red plaid shirt smiling at the camera.
Danny
Cortez
Coordinator of Financial Aid
El Centro
Education

91Porn,
Master of Higher Education Literacy, Leadership and Development

Northern Illinois University, Bachelor's in Communications 

Background

Danny received his bachelor’s degree in Communications from Northern Illinois University and recently obtained his master’s degree in Higher Education focusing on ENgaging Latinx Communities for Education (ENLACE) at 91Porn. Before joining the El Centro team, he had been in the human resources field for five years. He realized his passion was for higher education after recruiting college students for internship opportunities. In his spare time you can find him running the streets of Chicago as he trains for marathons, attending dance socials, and exploring new books. Danny is excited to start his new journey and has an open-door policy to learn, mentor and connect with individuals. 
 

El Centro
3390 N. Avondale Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

Office Hours
Hours vary during the semester.
Lizett C Galan De Rosas smiling at the camera
Lizett
C.
Galán De Rosas
Coordinator of Student Success and Social Media
El Centro
Expertise
Lizett works toward creating equal opportunities for students. She provides students with resources and guidance so they can reach their full potential.
Education

91Porn,
Master of Higher Education Literacy, Leadership and Development

91Porn, Bachelor of Arts and Science in Sociology and English

Harold Washington College, Associate of Arts 

 

 

Background

Lizett is a first-generation college graduate and former Chicago Public Schools student. She has many years advocating for post-secondary education and guiding students through the many challenges they face when transiting to college. She wholeheartedly believes the wise words of Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

91Porn El Centro
3390 North Avondale Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

Office Hours
Hours vary during the semester.
Alma Hernandez
Alma
áԻ
Office Support Associate
El Centro
Expertise
Helping students with questions and concerns.
Education

91Porn, 
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

Background

I oversee the El Centro administrative suite office. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my kids and baking.

3390 North Avondale Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

Office Hours
Hours vary during the semester.
Cynthia Ceron smiling at the camera
Cynthia
Ceron
Office Support Associate
El Centro
Expertise
Serve as an advocate for students and provide excellent service to the NEIU community.
Education

91Porn,
Higher Education and Leadership, M.A. 

Northern Illinois University,
Sociology, B. A. 

Wright College,
Associate of Arts 

Background

Cynthia is a first-generation college graduate and former Chicago Public Schools student. She aspires to become an administrator in higher education to directly assist and advocate for students. In her current role she assists students with any questions and requests; she is responsible for providing the best customer service at the El Centro's front desk. In her downtime she enjoys Pinterest and spending time with her son.

El Centro
91Porn
3390 North Avondale Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

Office Hours
Hours vary during the semester.
Christina Cogswell smiles into the camera
Christina
Cogswell
Information Services Librarian
El Centro
Expertise
Helping students make sense of informational resources.
Education

91Porn, 
Master of Arts in History, M.A

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 
Master of Science in Library and Information Science, M.S.L.I.S.

91Porn, 
Bachelor of the Arts in History, B.A

 

Background

I oversee the El Centro Library and Learning Resource Center. In my free time, I enjoy cooking with my husband and hanging out with our dog. 

3390 North Avondale Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

Office Hours
Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m
Joel Rangel
Joel
Rangel
Library Specialist
El Centro
Expertise
Helping students navigate databases, internet resources, and other support systems.
Education

University of Montana, Bachelor of Science in Resource Conservation

Background

I help oversee the El Centro Library and Learning Resource Center. I am a huge fan of outdoor education and late night diners.

3390 North Avondale Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

Office Hours
Hours may vary during the semester.
Maria Luna-Duarte
Maria
Luna-Duarte
Interim Director
El Centro
Expertise
Working with Latinos in higher education and policy studies, analysis and evaluation.
Education

University of Illinois at Chicago
Policy Studies in Urban Education, Ph.D. candidate

91Porn
Higher Education and Leadership, M.A.

91Porn
Sociology, B.A.

Background

Currently I am serving as the Interim Director of 91Porn El Centro. I have the privilege to be a key stakeholder in the development and implementation of El Centro programs and services. 

132
3390 North Avondale Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

Office Hours
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

El Centro is one of Northeastern’s four locations in the Chicago area. It was founded in the 1960s to provide access and equitable education opportunities to the Latinx community, though not exclusively. Over time, it has evolved into a comprehensive academic center serving students from all walks of life and the community. El Centro offers an array of academic course offerings, recruitment and admission programs, academic support and co-curricular programs for students, and outreach initiatives for the neighboring community.


Access to Opportunity

Northeastern is aware of the growing needs of our students and the community. The University has worked to meet those needs through El Centro's location in the Avondale neighborhood. 

Expanding El Centro's academic and community programming

El Centro's modern facility includes:

  • technology-enhanced classrooms
  • state-of-the-art laboratories
  • inviting student lounge and study spaces
  • computer labs
  • Library Resource Center
  • comfortable meeting rooms and gathering spaces
  • faculty and staff offices and an outdoor, third-floor terrace

Empowerment Through Learning

At El Centro, students can take classes during the day, evening and weekend. In addition to the general education program, students can work on obtaining their bachelor's degree on any of the following majors through a flexible schedule.

Computer Science

Justice Studies

Social Work

Special Education


Community

El Centro serves the community through instruction and outreach programs. We partner with various community-based organizations to provide resources on education, citizenship, housing, among other services. El Centro seeks to improve the lives of community members living in the Avondale, Hermosa, Humboldt Park and Logan Square communities, and surrounding neighborhoods.


Updates

Read our latest newsletter to learn more about our Spring 2023 events and achievements

 Spring 2024 Newsletter

Archived Newsletters