IMSA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Admissions Senior Specialist
Job Titles:
- Interim Principal and Chief Academic Officer
Job Titles:
- Dean of Academics and Equity
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- Member of the Ex - Officio Board
- Executive Director, Illinois Community College Board
Dr. Carolyn Theard-Griggs has experience as both a classroom educator and a policy advocate at the state and district levels. Before NCE, she spent several years as the Dean of the College of Education at Chicago State University. She has been a faculty and administrator in multiple settings and a classroom teacher for grades K-3 for 10 years. Dr. Theard-Griggs is the mother of four children, two in college and two in high school and married to a retired Chicago Public Schools principal. She is fascinated with her children's lens and the opportunity to learn their perspectives regarding their school systems-both the positive aspects and areas for potential change.
Job Titles:
- First Vice Chair
- Member of the Executive Committee
Dr. Sims is a board certified otolaryngologist who has treated hundreds of local and national entertainers with voice disorders or injuries including members of Chicago's Lyric Opera, the casts from "Wicked," "Jersey Boys," "Book of Mormon" as well as soloists and even Chicago's own Oscar-winning Jennifer Hudson, who starred in "Dreamgirls." He is an accomplished musician who plays trombone, bassoon piano and is an experienced vocalist as well.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Ex - Officio Board
- Superintendent, West Aurora SD 129
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Trustee
Job Titles:
- Chief People, Equity, and Culture Officer
- Ethics Officer
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Trustee
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Vice Provost and Dean of the Brennan School of Business at Dominican University
Roberto Curci is Vice Provost and Dean of the Brennan School of Business at Dominican University. Before joining Dominican University, Professor Curci served as Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Programs and Eugene Ratliff Endowed Chair Professor of Finance at Butler University's College of Business in Indianapolis. He holds a Ph.D. in International Business and Finance from University of Texas Pan American, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with specializations in International Business and Finance from University of Miami (Florida), a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from ICESI University (Cali, Colombia), and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Systems Engineering from ICESI University (Cali, Colombia).
Professor Curci specializes in International Finance and International Business. He has regularly worked with premier business schools in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. For instance, he has taught and/or engaged on research projects at institutions such as Instituto de Empresa (Spain), Lingnan University (Hong Kong), Universidad de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico), Universidad ICESI (Colombia), Universidad Gabriela Mistral (Chile), Instituto Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, ITESM (Mexico), Escuela Politecnica Litoral del Pacifico, ESPOL (Ecuador), Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso (Chile).
He is also an active researcher and has published extensively in the areas of International Finance, International Business, Financial Markets and Institutions, Risk Management, and Immigrant-Owned Businesses in books and double blind review journals such as Thunderbird International Business Review, International Finance Review, Journal of Emerging Markets, Studies in Economics and Finance, Latin American Business Review, Journal of Accounting and Finance Research, and the Global Business & Finance Review. Professor Curci serves in the editorial board of journals such as Multidisciplinary Business Review (MBR) and Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Business Management (CAPIC Review).
Professor Curci has accumulated extensive hands-on business experience while working with, studying, and/or advising organizations and corporations in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. His areas of expertise include International Finance, International Business, and U.S. Hispanic markets. Professor Curci is also has been an active member of the community serving as a leader or volunteer in academic and non-for-profit organizations, corporations, and government commissions. For instance, he is a member of the Executives Club of Chicago, the Financial Executives International (FEI), and has served organizations such as the Business Association of Latin American Studies (BALAS), the Merrill Lynch Diversity Board of Advisors, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra (ICO), the Indy Chamber's Hispanic Business Council, the Indianapolis Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC), the IUPUI's Solution Center, and the Indianapolis Mayor's Commission of Latino Affairs (MCOLA).
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Director of the Center for Talent Development
Dr. Susan Corwith is the director of the Center for Talent Development (CTD) at Northwestern University and an assistant professor in the School of Education and Social Policy. Dr. Corwith's expertise is in gifted education and talent development, emphasizing the design, development, and evaluation of academic enrichment and acceleration programs. She has written extensively about high-quality, inclusive programs and services that foster talent development. She has also authored numerous articles and chapters on gifted programming standards, academic acceleration, and assessment and identification. Dr. Corwith is active in state and national advocacy organizations, including the National Association for Gifted Children, where she was chair of the professional standards committee for revising the 2019 programming standards, and the Illinois Association for Gifted Children. She received her Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with an emphasis on high-quality programs and curricula for advanced learners.
Dr. Tina Halliman is in her eighth year as a School Superintendent and fifteenth year as a District Office Administrator. She served for four years as Superintendent of Schools for Cook County School District 130 where she was responsible for the successful delivery of comprehensive educational services to nearly 4,000 students who attended 11 schools across four communities. In this districts' nearly 100 years of existence, Dr. Halliman was the 2nd female Superintendent and the very 1st minority Superintendent to serve in this role. Currently, she is the Superintendent of Schools for SPEED Special Education Cooperative District 802 where she provides an array of programs and services to students with special needs and their families. Her Cooperative serves 15 member districts consisting of 3 high school districts, 11 elementary districts and 1 unit district.
Dr. Hallimans' introduction into the public school system started from humble beginnings in her roles as a summer school painter and custodian while attending college. Upon graduating from college, she began work in schools as a Crisis Interventionist, School Social Worker, and Special Education Teacher with Chicago Public Schools District 299, Cook County School District 130, and Homewood Flossmoor High School District 233 which intensified her desire to improve educational outcomes for all children. It is with these same districts that she began her career as an administrator serving as Dean of Students at Homewood Flossmoor High School and moving to the Director of Special Services with Cook County School District 130 from 2006-2010. Prior to her role as Superintendent, Halliman served four years as Assistant Superintendent of Special Services at the 4,000-student Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 where she led collaborative efforts to develop, implement, and evaluate services for special education students and faculty.
Dr. Halliman has an Ed.D. from Loyola University with endorsements as Superintendent and Chief School Business Official, a M.S.W. from Aurora University with an endorsement as a School Social Worker, a M.S. Sped. from Dominican University with an endorsement for State Director of Special Education and a B.A. in psychology from Northern Illinois University.
Dr. Halliman has received honors as the IEA Human and Civil Rights Recipient, Three-time recipient of the Diversifying Higher Education Faculty Program fellow, and Special Education Professional Delegate to South Africa where she presented on ADHD. She has served in an array of leadership roles such as IASA South Cook Regional Professional Development Chair for the past four years, Superintendents' Commission for the Study of Demographics PD Leadership Chair, and DuPage West Cook Governing Board as Vice Chair & Secretary. Dr. Halliman has been trained and served on several committees such as Strategic Planning Steering Committee, Financial Advisory Committee, and District Equity Leadership Team where she has been trained in Courageous Conversations about Race (CCAR) and National SEED Project-Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Ex - Officio Board
- State Superintendent, Illinois State Board of Education
Job Titles:
- LEAD Program and Student Leadership Exchange
Job Titles:
- Member of the Ex - Officio Board
- Executive Director, Illinois Board of Higher Education
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Admissions
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Secretary & Governance Chair
Frederick V. Chin is a STEM professional focused on practical applications of chemical, engineering, and scientific principles to drive the development of creative and innovative technology in the industrial coatings industry and adhesive industries. He serves as President of Universal Chemicals & Coatings, a leader in adhesives, coil-applied industrial coatings, and industrial drum and pail coating technology headquartered in Illinois, a firm he has been with for over 40 years. He founded Connections of Illinois in 2014, a nonprofit organization operating in the northwest suburbs of Chicago providing case management, financial counseling, and financial aid and referral services to under-resourced residents who have experienced life-disrupting challenges, where he also served as President & CEO. An alumnus of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Mr. Chin earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing. He was honored with the Outstanding Alumni Award Department of Industrial & Enterprise Systems Engineering in 2007 and the Alumni Association Constituent Leadership Award in 2010.
Job Titles:
- Interim Chief Finance and Operations Officer
Job Titles:
- Dean of Student Support & Equity
Job Titles:
- Chief Mission and Impact Officer
Job Titles:
- Investor
- Second Vice Chair
Alaina Anderson is an experienced investor with a track record of achievement that includes demonstrated alpha generation across developed and emerging markets. She enjoy interacting with clients and industry professionals as well as participating in and speaking at industry conferences.
In addition to a passion for investing, she brings an innate curiosity that spurs innovation and creativity and contributes to long-term outperformance across portfolios. Both analytical and process oriented, she leverages her strong qualitative and quantitative analysis to drive alpha across global Small, Mid, and Large Cap Funds.
Currently, she is a Partner at William Blair, where she is focused on new idea generation and research for a $35B long-only global growth platform.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Chief Student Affairs Officer
Job Titles:
- Chief Public Affairs and Development Officer
- Media Inquiries
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Trustee Roche is a member of the Local Advisory Board to New Leaders for New Schools-Chicago, a national principal preparation program. He was a Fulbright Summer Scholar to Mexico, and served with the Peace Corps in Honduras. Trustee Roche has also worked with the Chicago Public Schools to create Telpochcalli, a school dedicated to developing bilingual English/Spanish students.
Job Titles:
- Vice Provost and Dean of the Brennan School of Business at Dominican University