Distinguished Alumni Named To IMSA President’s Advisory Council
For Immediate Release, May 2003
For comment, contact Brenda Buschbacher at
(630) 907-5033
AURORA – Twelve graduates of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) have been named to the newly created IMSA President’s Alumni Advisory Council. The Council will assist IMSA President Stephanie Pace Marshall and other IMSA leaders in envisioning possibilities for IMSA’s future and strengthening IMSA’s programs, services and impact in Illinois and beyond.
The members were selected because they have distinguished themselves in graduate or post-graduate work or in the workforce, have taken their educational experiences and turned them into successful outcomes and have demonstrated innovative, “big picture” thinking. The members, their hometowns as IMSA students and their current positions include:
- Michael Brody ’96, Highland Park, law student, University of Illinois College of Law
- Elizabeth Chilton ’92, Joliet, data manager, The University of Chicago
- Aimee Chong ’94, Carbondale, transportation analyst, Cambridge Systematics, Inc.
- Scott Gaudi ’91, Staunton, Hubble Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute for Advanced Study
- John Hoesley ’89, Chicago, investment manager, Prism Capital
- Jesse Hsu ’93, Olympia Fields, director, corporate development, Perlegen Sciences, Inc.
- David Kung ’89, Carbondale, marketing executive, Creative Artists Agency
- Jason Ribando ’90, Peoria, assistant professor, mathematics, University of Northern Iowa
- Alvia Romious ’89, East St. Louis, realtor, Evanston, IL marketplace
- Terri Willard ’89, Palatine, project manager, International Institute for Sustainable Development
- Sam Yagan ’95, Bourbonnais, president, MetaMachine, Inc.
- Kara Yokley ’94, Chicago, research manager, IDC – Life Sciences and Health Care Division
At its first meeting in April, the Council discussed ideas for “next generation IMSA,” including how to define, recruit and develop talent in math and science, the most essential things to preserve about the IMSA experience, new learning experiences both in and out of the classroom, and the role of alumni in articulating IMSA’s value and return on investment to Illinois.
“Many IMSA graduates possess a deeply felt desire and commitment to help ensure IMSA’s vitality, influence, impact and sustainability,” Marshall said. “I look forward to the contributions this council will make to help advance and position IMSA for the future.”
Located in Aurora, Illinois, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is an internationally-recognized pioneering educational institution created by the State to develop talent and stimulate excellence in teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology. IMSA's advanced residential college preparatory program enrolls 650 academically talented Illinois students in grades 10-12. More than 16,000 teachers and 23,000 students in Illinois and beyond have benefited from IMSA's professional development and enrichment programs. IMSA serves the people of Illinois through innovative instructional programs, public and private partnerships, policy leadership and action research.