Congratulations to these alumni of the NIU College of Education!
Keri Anne Alioto, Ed.D. Higher Education, ’23, is the new vice president for Student Affairs at Elmhurst University. Alioto most recently served as vice president for Student Affairs at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee. Previous appointments include associate vice president for Student Development and dean of Student Success at Franklin College in Indiana, where she also taught and held roles as assistant dean of students and director of Student Activities during her nearly two decades there.
Joe Bergman, Ed.D. Community College Leadership, ’24, was named executive vice president of Academic Affairs at Illinois Central College (ICC). Bergman most recently served as ICC’s associate vice president for Academic Affairs, leading institution-wide efforts to enhance academic programming, implement the conversion to eight-week courses, strengthen workforce alignment and improve student retention and completion. Since joining ICC in 2004, his roles have included dean of Math, Science and Engineering; and chair and professor in the Chemistry Department.
Jolie Burns-Casey, Ed.D. Educational Psychology, ’04, retired this spring from the staff of Evergreen Park Community High School, where she taught and coached softball.
Russ Damhoff, M.S.Ed. Kinesiology and Physical Education, ’92, and B.S.Ed. Physical Education, ’85, watched Sauk Valley Community College dedicate its basketball court in his name. The newly refinished Russ Damhoff Court, featuring his signature, was unveiled Nov. 1 during a special ceremony. Damhoff, who retired in 2017 after 31 years at Sauk Valley, was the college’s longtime athletic director and men’s basketball coach with a record of 592–392. He earned Region IV Coach of the Year honors twice, led the Skyhawks to multiple conference titles and regional tournament appearances and, in 2019, was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Damhoff remains on the Sauk Valley men’s hoops staff, now in his eighth season as assistant coach.
Kyle Dunphy, B.S.Ed. Special Education, ’04, is the next head coach of the Kaukauna (Wisconsin) Ghosts softball program. The decade-long leader of Kaukauna’s JV softball team teaches technology education at Kaukauna High School, where he has worked for 21 years. Dunphy received the Fox Cities Chamber 2025 Excellence in Education Shining Star Award, which recognizes teachers who inspire students at all levels to prepare them for the future workforce He also serves as faculty adviser of the Student Council and has coached basketball and track and field.
Crystal Dvorak, B.S.Ed. Elementary Education, ’04, is the new principal of McCleery Elementary School in West Aurora School District 129. Board of Education approved Crystal Dvorak as principal during its regular meeting May 19. Dvorak brings more than a decade of administrative experience, including serving as principal of Marseilles Elementary School in Marseilles and assistant principal of Grand Reserve Elementary School in Yorkville. Her previous roles in District 129 include assistant principal of Hill Elementary School and principal of Freeman Elementary School. She also has experience overseeing building-level teams, coordinating student support services, managing school operations, supporting staff development and participating on the Elementary Instructional Minutes Committee as well as in contract negotiations with the district’s office professionals bargaining unit.
Julie Goolish, M.S.Ed. Counseling, ’04, is the new principal of Algonquin Middle School. Goolish previously served as assistant principal of Eisenhower Junior High in Schaumburg District 54, where she earlier held various assistant principal positions and served as a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports coach, behavior specialist and a junior high special services teacher.
Ehren Jarrett, E.D. Educational Administration, ’09, Ed.S. Educational Administration, ’06, and M.S.Ed. Educational Administration, ’04, was named superintendent of Hononegah Community High School District. He will begin July 1, 2026, after completing his 13-year superintendency of the Rockford Public Schools. Jarrett was a teacher, assistant principal and then principal at Hononegah before taking his current job in Rockford, where his work earned him the 2025 Superintendent of Distinction from his colleagues in the Kishwaukee Region of the Illinois Association of School Administrators.
Andrew Jordan, B.S.Ed. Physical Education, ’10, was named superintendent Oakwood Community Unit School District 76. Jordan most recently served as superintendent and as a principal in Donovan School District in Iroquois County, where he was named Illinois Principal of the Year in the Corn Belt region in 2022. He previously taught driver’s education and physical education in the West Prairie School District, where he also coached varsity boys basketball.
Kristopher Kahler, M.S.Ed. Educational Administration, ’02, was named Chief School Business Official for the Mahomet-Seymour School District. He began Oct. 1. Kahler most recently was director of Business Services at Rochester CUSD #3A, where had served since July 2023. From 2021 to 2023, he was superintendent of Maroa-Forsyth CUSD 2, where his accomplishments include overseeing the construction of Maroa-Forsyth Middle School. He also has worked as a principal of elementary and middle schools.
Cynthia Kilmer, M.S.Ed. Educational Psychology, ’17, and B.S.Ed. Elementary Education, ’05, has been named a 2025-26 Teach Plus Illinois Early Childhood Educator Policy Fellow. Kilmer teaches kindergarten at Oregon Elementary School.
Joshua Moon-Johnson, Ed.D. Adult and Higher Education, ’11, was named campus president of Connecticut State Community College Asnuntuck, CT State Manchester and CT State Middlesex. He brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education, having held leadership roles at institutions including College of San Mateo, American River College, University of Wisconsin-Madison and, most recently, at West Valley College, where he was provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. A published author and advocate, Moon-Johnson has contributed to national conversations on educational equity and LGBT+ inclusion and advocacy. He has served on boards such as the Association of California Community College Administrators and the Sacramento LGBT Center.
Anita Moore-Bohannon, Ed.D. Community College Leadership, ’21, is the new vice president of student affairs at Prairie State College. Moore-Bohannon brings more than 25 years of experience in education, including two decades in higher education leadership in academic support; student engagement; developmental education reform; counseling and wellness services; and diversity and inclusion initiatives. She previously worked at Heartland Community College, Waubonsee Community College and National Louis University, where she served as vice president for Student Affairs, as well as in early childhood and special education.
Sarah Nauman, M.S.Ed. Counseling, ’17, was named a Chicago Bears Classroom Legend. She was recognized Aug. 10 at Soldier Field. Nauman has served as counselor at Dorothy Simon Elementary School in Winnebago since 2022.
Keegan Nichols, Ed.D. Adult and Higher Education, ’10, was named vice president of Student Affairs at the College of DuPage to lead efforts that enhance its student-centered campus culture and to develop initiatives that promote student success and retention. Her oversight includes Admissions and Outreach; the Center for Access and Accommodations; Counseling Services; Advising; Enrollment Center; the Office of Student Records; Registration Service; and Financial Assistance. Nichols comes to DuPage from Arkansas Tech University, where she had served as vice president for Student Affairs since 2017. She previously held leadership positions at NIU, Fort Hays State University, Colby Community College and Rockford University.
Catherine Orin, M.S.Ed. Educational Administration, ’15, is the new assistant principal at Nicholson Elementary School in Montgomery, part of West Aurora School District 129. Orin most recently served in Kaneland School District 302 as coordinator of Multi-tiered Systems of Support, leading the development and implementation of tiered academic and behavioral supports by analyzing student data, facilitating problem-solving meetings, and coordinating interventions to meet students’ needs. She previously taught elementary school in Plainfield District 202, where she was recognized as Educator of the Year for her commitment to student success and also served on the Rising Star Principal Committee to contribute to school improvement planning.
Victor Pasley, M.S.Ed. Educational Administration, ’75, was reappointed to the Lincoln University Board of Curators. Pasley retired from Xerox Corp. in 2010 after a 32-year tenure on the executive team. His earlier roles included service as a captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and work as an instructor and assistant principal in School District U-46.
Sarah Radtke, Ed.D. Adult and Higher Education, ’08, and M.S. Kinesiology and Physical Education, ’01, was appointed dean of the College of Health Sciences for the Downers Grove Campus of Midwestern University. Radtke brings more than two decades of academic, clinical and administrative experience along with a strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, student success and program innovation. She most recently was dean of the College of Health and Sciences at Aurora University, where she launched new degrees, new MBA tracks and created pipeline partnerships with institutions including Rush University, Loyola University and Midwestern University. During her more than 20 years at Aurora, she served as a faculty member, department chair, Faculty Senate chair and professor of athletic training and exercise science.
Andrew Reinke, B.S.Ed. Physical Education, ’03, was appointed to the board of directors for Naples Soccer Academy, a club-neutral 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated solely to advancing female youth soccer training and development in southwest Florida. Reinke is employed by the Collier County Public Schools, where he is the Human Resources coordinator for Professional Standards. He previously held various school leadership roles in Illinois, including in Algonquin-based District 300 Schools and Cary Community Consolidated School District 26.
Alva Sachs, M.S.Ed. Elementary Education, ’79, received the McMullen Award from St. Ambrose University, the 1976 alma mater of her husband, Paul. The award recognizes individuals who embody the university’s mission and have made significant contributions to the institution and community. Sachs is an award-winning children’s author and founder of Three Wishes Publishing Co. whose literacy foundation provides resources for children and educators. The Sachs are longtime supporters of the Ambrose Annual Fund.
Laura Walan, M.S.Ed. Adult and Continuing Education, ’05, was named the 2025 Health Education Teacher of the Year by the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Walan teaches at Neuqua Valley High School, helping students to develop health literacy in a world of influencers and “information overwhelm.” Now in her 23rd year at Neuqua, she helped to develop Indian Prairie School District 204’s online health education program.
Melissa Yarbrough, B.S.Ed. Special Education, ’99, was named assistant principal of Aurora’s Hope D. Wall School, where she has worked for more than two decades. The special education school serves students from preschool to age 22 in East Aurora School District 131 and West Aurora School District 129. Her résumé at Hope Wall began as a classroom teacher and includes roles such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports coach and crisis team leader as well as coordinator and administrator of the extended school year program. Her most recent position was community services and student coordinator.
If you’re a College of Education grad with news to share, please let us know – and send a photo! Our email address is ceduEdNews@niu.edu.
