2018-2019 Committee Chairs
Joseph Freeman
Beacon Academy
jfreeman@beaconacademyil.org
Evan Wilson
Illinois College
evan.wilson@mail.ic.edu
Jennifer Sloan
University of Cincinnati
jennifer.sloan@uc.edu
Executive Board Liaison
Member Relations Council Team
Tom Shorrock, NACAC Delegate Director – Secondary
New Trier High School
(847) 784-2243
shorroct@newtrier.k12.il.us
Purpose
The purpose of the Government Relations Committee is to inform IACAC members of pertinent public policy issues and upcoming legislation that affects counselors and students. Government Relations members also promote the goals of IACAC to government officials at the local, state, and federal level.
Activities
The Government Relations Committee meets three times per year in addition to a trip to Springfield, where we meet with legislators to discuss current education issues. We also host a session at the IACAC Annual Conference in May.
Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs following his address to the 2017 IACAC Annual Conference. Pictured with members of the Government Relations Committee.
Left to right: Steve Landgraf, Michigan State University; Jeremy Holmes, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; Jennifer Steck, Saint Louis University; Joe Freeman, Beacon Academy, Stephanie Szczepanski, Saint Louis University; Evan Wilson, Illinois College; Gwen Kanelos, Concordia University Chicago, Bob Freitag, St. Charles North High School; Paul Welsh, Fenton High School; Jennifer Sloan, Cornell College; Roberto Suarez, Homewood-Flossmoor High School; Michelle Rogers, Saint Louis University.
IACAC members visit Capitol Hill on March 6, 2017, to advocate for Illinois students as a part of NACAC Hill Day.
Left to right, back row: Steve Landgraf, Michigan State University; Joe Freeman, Beacon Academy; Roberto Suarez, Homewood Flossmoor High School; Paul Welsh, Fenton High School. Front row: Gwen Kanelos, Concordia University Chicago; Michelle Rogers, Saint Louis University; Jennifer Sloan, University of Cincinnati
Members of IACAC at the Illinois State Capitol for a day of meetings with legislators on March 15, 2017 for Advocacy Day.
Meetings
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to support the efforts of the Government Relations Committee, but I am unable to attend meetings or participate in the lobbying trip to Springfield, what can I do?
The easiest thing you can do is to use the NACAC’s Legislative Action Center. From here, you can search for current state and national legislation that will affect you and your students and make use of pre-written letters to sign and email to your current legislators.
I would like to know more about issues in education and college access, where can I find more information?
NACAC’s Government Relations website maintains a list of the latest developments in legislation of interest to the National Membership. At the State Legislation Portal you can search more in-depth on Illinois Issues as well as topical issues. Also, NACAC’s Policy Recommendations page outlines many current policies and links to research and insights on current trends/issues.
Committee Members
Mary Alice Berg, Loyola University Chicago
Ziggy Blackwell, Illinois College
Fritz Burgher, Northwestern University
John Cadero, Triton College
Jovanna Chavez, Illinois College
Katie Childs, Bradley University
Jordia Coleman, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Allison Culver, University of Louisville
Laura Docherty, Fenwick High School
Haley Fischer, Loras College
Traci Flowers, Loyola Academy
Robert Freitag, St. Charles North High School
Zachary George, StriveScan
Lisa Hikes, Hinsdale Central High School
Jeremy Holmes, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Arielle Kalvelage, Northern Illinois University
Gwen Kanelos, Concordia University Chicago
Cindy Kasten, Hinsdale Central High School
Erin Kelly, DePaul University
Jessica King, Bradley University
Gia Maniscalco, Hinsdale Central High School
Diana Mondragon, Dundee-Crown High School
Laura Monteagudo, Northern Illinois University
Bill Morrison, Highland Park High School
Kylie Mussay, University of St. Francis
Luis Narvaez, Chicago Public Schools
Eileen Rancharan, Concordia University Chicago
Anna Schuh, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Jennifer Steck, Saint Louis University
Josh Stober, DePaul University
Rachel Sveda-Webb, Rend Lake College
Stephanie Szczepanski, St. Louis University
Reshma Valiyapurayil, Northeastern Illinois University
Mark Weber, University of St. Francis
Paul Welsh, Fenton High School
Josephine West, The Ohio State University
Justin Wier, University of Illinois at Chicago