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Spring 2026 ISACorps™ Alumni E-Newsletter
Be Informed. Food for Thought. Resources.
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In this Issue
- ISACorps Alumni Recognition
- News & Announcements
- What We Are Reading and Listening To…
- Upcoming Webinars
Welcome to the ISACorps Alumni quarterly e-newsletter! Visit the ISACorps Alumni webpage to access the newsletter, join the ISACorps Digital Yearbook, and read more about ISACorps alumni updates and announcements.
| | ISACorps Alumni Recognition | | | | |
Melissa Hayne Loretto (2010)
After spending the last 12 years working in higher education, Melissa has officially transitioned into entrepreneurship and wellness coaching. She recently launched her new business, Mobility+ by Melissa, LLC, where she serves as owner and NASM Certified Personal Trainer. Melissa is excited to begin this new chapter focused on helping others prioritize movement, mobility, and overall wellness. Her career shift reflects her passion for empowering others through health and fitness.
| | | | | Shauntee Randle (2014) and Tiffany Sharp (2009)
In March, alumni Shauntee and Tiffany celebrated a major personal milestone by completing their first 8K race together at the annual Shamrock Shuffle in Chicago. The experience challenged them both mentally and physically while reinforcing the importance of consistency, wellness, and community support. Crossing the finish line was a proud accomplishment and a reminder that growth often begins outside of one’s comfort zone. They are already looking forward to future fitness goals and races ahead. | | | | | Sarah Toussaint (2024)
Sarah recently announced that she will be joining the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office this summer as an intern. Currently completing her first year at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, Sarah is eager to apply the knowledge and skills she has gained in the classroom while gaining hands-on legal experience. She looks forward to learning from experienced attorneys and continuing to grow professionally in the legal field. Sarah shared her gratitude and excitement for the opportunity and the experiences ahead this summer. | | | | | Cory Washington (2013)
Cory recently reached a major academic milestone by successfully defending his dissertation titled, Voices of Persistence: A Narrative Inquiry into the Black Queer Law School Experience. This achievement marks the completion of years of research, dedication, and perseverance, earning him the title of Cory Washington, Ph.D. Cory expressed gratitude to his committee, participants, colleagues, and family for their unwavering support throughout his journey. | | | |
ISACorps Everywhere: Building Connections Across the Network
On March 20, 22 alumni and 23 Corps members connected across the network resulting in 45+ unique conversations through coffee chats, workplace visits, and virtual meetups. This day was built around one goal: creating space for connection, conversation, and access. Thank you to our alumni for showing up and sharing your experiences, and to our Corps members for engaging and leaning into these conversations.
Grateful to be part of a community that continues to show up for one another.
Special thank you to:
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- Lydia Alvarez (2021)
- Michael Callada (2024)
- Tiffany Chiu (2012)
- Audra Clodfelter (2010)
- Samia Cooperider (2014)
- Denise Delgado (2015)
- Jackson Esela (2022)
- Liz Gilmore (2011)
- Redell Hendricks (2016)
- Dada Ibrahimovic (2019)
- Danielle Long (2014)
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- Rebecca McFarland (2009)
- Laura Monteagudo (2014)
- Matthew Montez (2009)
- Kayla Moore (2012)
- Jenna Roecker (2020)
- Heidi Schmidt (2011)
- Ivonne Uquillas (2015)
- Emily Wagner (2016)
- Keeayla (Jones) Wilhite (2017)
- James P. Yost (2014)
- Dustin Zimmerman (2009)
| | | ISACorps Alumni at the 2026 Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (ILASFAA) Annual Conference | |
The 2026 Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (ILASFAA) Annual Conference was a particularly meaningful one for the ISACorps community! Alumni and staff gathered to reconnect, celebrate achievements, and engage in important conversations around the future of financial aid and student support.
ISAC was truly gratified to note that about 10% of attendees this year were former ISACorps members, many of whom are now in leadership at ILASFAA and elsewhere in higher education in Illinois. From professional growth to powerful networking, this event was a reminder of how strong our alumni network truly is. We’re proud to see the ISACorps alumni continuing to lead and uplift students across Illinois and beyond.
| ISACorps Alumni at the 2026 Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC) Conference | The 2026 Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC) Annual Conference brought together counseling, admissions, and college access professionals from across Illinois for learning, collaboration, and connection. ISACorps alumni were well represented throughout the conference, continuing to make their mark in higher education, admissions, student affairs, and college access spaces across the state. From reconnecting with former Corps members to engaging in conversations about supporting students and expanding educational opportunities, alumni participants experienced the lasting impact of the conference. Events like IACAC continue to showcase the strength of the alumni network and the many ways alumni are leading, mentoring, and advocating for students throughout Illinois. | Corps Members Connect with Alumni at Our “Q&A with an FAA” Webinar | | |
Last month, we had the honor of hosting a dynamic alumni panel focused on career journeys and expertise in the field of financial aid. Our current Corps members heard firsthand about the evolution of our alumni careers in financial aid, lessons learned in the field, and the many pathways within financial aid and higher education.
A huge thank you to our incredible alumni panelists for sharing their time, stories, and insights:
Their experiences sparked thoughtful questions and real connection with our Corps members—many of whom are just beginning to explore careers in student support and access. Thank you to our alums for giving back to the ISAC community!
Check out the conversation!
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Alumni Meet & Greet with New Hires
We start early in the ISACorps journey. In May, members of our alumni steering committee met virtually with newly hired Corps members to share wisdom, answer questions, and begin building meaningful connections across cohorts. These conversations offered real-world perspective on the ISACorps journey, professional growth, and the power of staying connected beyond service. It’s often the first time Corps members hear alumni reflections, which sets a tone of support and belonging.
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Celebrating Our Second-Year Corps Members!
On May 15 we proudly celebrated 19 Corps members who completed their second year of service with the ISACorps. The virtual celebration was filled with gratitude, laughter, and a few tears, as we honored the impact they’ve made in communities across Illinois.
Corps members, ISAC staff, and region coordinators came together to recognize and praise the dedication of our second-year completers. More than 50 heartfelt appreciation notes were submitted to celebrate their work and growth. It was a truly joyous and emotional event, reflecting just how powerful this community is. We were also honored to hear words of wisdom from our region coordinators and the following ISAC staff members:
- Eric Zarnikow, Executive Director
- Jacqui Moreno, Chief Service Officer
- Abel Montoya, Director, Outreach Operations
- Renee Martinez, Statewide Outreach Coordinator
- Tiffany Sharp, Alumni Coordinator
| The gratitude and appreciation unfold here! | |
Job Opportunities and One-On-One Career Coaching!
Looking for a new job? Check out these positions specifically curated for ISACorps alumni! ISACorps Alumni Job Postings List.xlsx
If you are looking to advance your career, make a career change, find more balance in your current position, and/or assess your job satisfaction, then check out our career coaching program. Our alumni coordinator can help you develop a roadmap and specific plans to help you meet your career goals. This program is free to all our ISACorp alumni!
Take your career to the next level! Get started today by scheduling an appointment with our career coach. Contact us at [email protected] to let us know you are interested, and we will get back to you to schedule! We are here to help!
If you know of any job opportunities in your area and would like to share them with your fellow ISACorps alumni or current ISACorps members, please email [email protected].
| One Click College Admit Student Workshops & Professional Development | |
One Click College Admit (OCCA) is the state’s quick and stress-free direct admissions program into all community colleges and most state public universities. Through this program, eligible high school seniors automatically receive offers of general admission to their local community college and participating Illinois public universities. No application fees, essays, or letters of recommendation! The only requirement to be considered for admission into most of the state’s universities is your GPA. High school juniors have until May 22, 2026 to opt-in to One Click College Admit.
With growing interest and participation in this new state initiative, ISAC is providing additional virtual workshops for students and families in May. This is a great way to help your Class of 2027 take a simple, no-cost step toward college admission, but they must opt-in to the program by the May 22nd OCCA opt-in deadline. During the workshops, ISACorps members will give a walkthrough presentation, answer questions, and help attendees complete the opt-in process. Registration is available at isac.org/OCCA-workshops. Please share with counselors, families, and others.
One Click College Admit Online Workshops for Students and Families
- Tuesday, May 19, 6 – 7 p.m. CT
- Thursday, May 21, 12 – 1 p.m. CT
One Click College Admit Professional Development Opportunity
ISAC offers free professional development opportunities for counselors and school staff who would like an overview of One Click College Admit (OCCA) including key timelines, frequently asked questions, how to support students through OCCA, and information on the data collection process. Register now and join ISAC for upcoming OCCA webinars:
If you’re not able to attend, all webinars are recorded. Visit ISAC's website to view the library of past webinars.
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SAVE the DATE: 2026 College Changes Everything Conference
Mark your calendars for the 2026 College Changes Everything® (CCE) Conference on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at the Tinley Park Convention Center. This year’s theme, Education Matters, will bring together educators, advocates, and changemakers from across Illinois for a day of learning, storytelling, collaboration, and action focused on supporting students and strengthening educational systems. The conference continues to serve as a space for conversations, innovative ideas, and shared commitment to equity and student success. We hope to see you there representing the ISACorps alumni network!
For more information, visit the CCE Conference website
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Family Action Network (FAN) Events
ISAC is pleased to continue sponsorship of select FAN events. FAN is a non-profit organization that curates a high-quality speaker series. FAN’s accessible and dynamic events create common ground and provide the latest insights on education, psychology, social change, relationships, and well-being. All FAN programs are free and open to the public. Check out their upcoming and past events today. Feel free to share this information with your colleagues and network.
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What We Are Reading and Listening To…
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Other Webinars and Workshops
We’ve put our external webinars on pause for the summer! We won’t be posting any upcoming sessions during this time. Don’t worry, we’ll be back with fresh content and webinars in the fall — both online and in-person. Take time to unwind—whether it’s beach days, garden strolls, backyard cookouts, or getting lost in a good book. You’ve more than earned it!
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Don't forget to update your contact information to receive recent job postings, our quarterly e-newsletter, the latest PD opportunities, alumni event invitations, and more. | | If you have any questions regarding this e-Message, please send an email to the Alumni Relations division at [email protected]. | | © 2026 Illinois Student Assistance Commission | | | | |
