Meet The Team

James Lynn is the Interim Director of the Academic Center for Excellence and the Executive Director of the Office of High School Development at UIC. His responsibilities include administering UIC credit-based programs for pre-college students, including dual-credit and dual-enrollment courses; coordinating particular student success initiatives for UIC students and pre-college students, including partnership activities with Enlace Chicago, a community organization that advances educational opportunities for students from the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago; coordinating UIC’s collaboration with UIC College Preparatory High School, a campus of the Noble Street Network of Charter Schools and UIC’s partnership on STEAM professional learning for three CPS schools in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago. Lynn previously served as the Acting Director of UIC’s Office of Undergraduate Research.

Lynn holds an appointment as a Senior Program Associate with UIC’s Learning Sciences Research Institute, where he was engaged with K-12 mathematics curriculum and professional development initiatives. He was the principal investigator and a lead developer for the Intensified Algebra I Project, an NSF-funded project that developed a comprehensive, asset-based Algebra I curriculum for students who enter high school underprepared in mathematics. Lynn also served as a co-PI on the NSF-funded efficacy study of Intensified Algebra I.

Prior to UIC, Lynn was involved in mathematics education in Chicago Public Schools (CPS). He served as a mathematics department chairperson and teacher at two different CPS high schools, Foreman HS and Northside College Prep HS. Lynn also served as the director of high school mathematics for the CPS Office of Math and Science. He has had significant involvement with mentoring and professional development activities in mathematics education, including successfully mentoring cohorts of CPS candidates for National Board Certification and serving as a co-director of the Chicago Secondary Mathematics Improvement Project, based out of UIC.

jlynn@uic.edu

Yesenia has over 10 years of experience working with youth and families in schools, non-profits, and communities. Yesenia received her Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences in Latin American and Latino Studies from DePaul University. Yesenia earned her M.Ed in Youth Development from the University of Illinois at Chicago. As a first-generation college graduate, Yesenia is passionate about working with students and supporting their development and growth as they navigate higher education. She is most excited to help students find and build community at UIC!

yvilla5@uic.edu

Mariah Sturdivant is the Office Support Specialist for the Academic Center for Excellence.Mariah, a Chicago native, spent her formative years in the bustling city. She pursued her education at Valparaiso University, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing, complemented by a minor in Psychology. During her time at Valpo, Mariah was also a student-athlete as she was on the women’s swimming team. Building on this foundation, she furthered her academic journey by earning a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Mariah is driven by a desire to leverage her expertise and personal growth to support and mentor current college students, ensuring a smooth and successful transition into higher education and beyond.Mariah is eagerly looking forward to meeting the students and establishing strong connections with them. She is dedicated to creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for the students, ensuring that they feel at ease and ready to engage.

msturdiv@uic.edu

Bahar Baniasad has been an instructor and academic advisor in ACE, at the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) since 2012. She has a Bachelor’s of Art in Foreign Language and Translation and a Master’s degree in Linguistics from the University of Westminster, UK. Bahar teaches Academic Skills Program (ASP) courses in ASP 060: Studying/Learning across Disciplines, ASP 095: Academic and Professional Writing, and ASP 092: Vocabulary Enrichment to undergraduate and graduate students. Her other responsibilities include facilitating various workshops focusing on academic skill development and meeting with students individually to assist them in time management, critical reading, writing and general study skills. Bahar is the liaison between ACE and the UIC Athletic Department. To this end, she works with the UIC Athletic Department to coordinate workshops, individual student coaching, and consultations for UIC student athletes. Her passion for student success and development has been especially nurtured while working closely with students in UIC.

In her free time, Bahar loves exploring the city of Chicago by attending concerts and cultural events, as well as, traveling, reading and spending time with her family, their dog, Oliver, and pet parakeet, Duchess. Bahar is also fluent in Farsi.

baharb@uic.edu

Jon Mann has worked as an Instructor and Academic Counselor at ACE since January 2012. He conducts Academic Skills Program (ASP) courses on study strategies and skills (ASP 062) and critical reading, thinking, and writing (ASP 090) for undergraduate and graduate students; the Academic Achievement Program for students on academic probation; and the College Reading for Success program for incoming freshmen during Summer College. Jon also provides presentations, workshops, and one-on-one student counseling that addresses academic skills ranging from time management to exam preparation and test-taking. He especially enjoys working with international students and visiting scholars on their English communication skills and supporting them in their writing and presentation efforts.

For fun and relaxation, Jon travels abroad with his wife and daughter, plays with his dog Jack, and watches professional sports and movies. He and his wife also enjoy hosting parties for his international students and attending their graduation ceremonies each May.

jsmann@uic.edu

Felix is a first-generation college graduate from Northern Illinois University, where he received a B.A. in Sociology and a M.S. in Education with a concentration in Higher Education and Student Affairs. As first-generation college student, Felix experienced an extremely difficult time navigating higher education and came across many challenges. To persevere he had to push himself outside of his comfort zone to find his support system at NIU and ask for help when needed. Felix wants to use his experiences to advise students to make wiser decisions about their higher education, and reach their fullest potential, while also considering their future goals. Felix believes it is important for him to meet students where they are at in their college transition process and identify the support that is needed. He strongly feels that not every student is going to need the same type of support as others. Therefore, he strives build authentic relationships with his students to develop trust and allow him the opportunity to understand where the support is needed for that student. Felix is extremely excited to serve as a Transition Coach at UIC and is looking forward to supporting student during their transition to UIC.

Ashley has been working for the University of Illinois for 8 years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Illinois State University and her Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Illinois in Springfield. Ashley enjoys working with students and is passionate about assisting them to reach their full potential. She hopes to use the skills and information she has learned to help students on their higher education journey and beyond.

ajscott1@uic.edu

Jennifer is a first-generation graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a degree in Applied Psychology and a Sociology minor.

She has served Chicago communities while working with nonprofits during her time at UIC and after graduating.

Being the first person to go to college in her family, Jennifer understands some of the struggles students face upon attending college.

She hopes to form trusting relationships with students as a Transition Coach to help them grow.

In her spare time, Jennifer is a true crime and horror enthusiast!

“Grow through what you go through.”

jgayta7@uic.edu

Megan graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Psychology and Criminal Justice.

Through Megan’s work , she has found meaning and purpose in being part of  young people’s journeys.

She believes that every student deserves the opportunity at success, and as a Visiting Transition Coach she is committed to making their abilities more apparent and possibilities more reachable.

Megan is excited to serve the students at UIC and she will ensure that they know their education and future matters!

mboss2@uic.edu

Learn more about our Peer Coaches.