Meet The Team
Administration
JL
James Lynn serves as the Executive Director of the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE). In this role, he provides strategic leadership and oversight for comprehensive student success initiatives that support UIC students’ academic and personal development. Lynn leads a dynamic team of professional staff and student workers in delivering high-impact programming, including first-year transition support, academic skills coaching, and peer success initiatives. Lynn collaborates with campus partners to align ACE’s services with institutional retention goals, while managing budgets, securing resources, and assessing program effectiveness. He also serves as an advocate for student success at the university level, participating in strategic planning committees and contributing to the development of initiatives that enhance the student experience. Lynn ensures that ACE’s programs remain innovative and responsive to evolving student needs through data-driven decision-making and continuous program improvement.
James Lynn previously served as Executive Director of the Office of High School Development at UIC and Acting Director of UIC’s Office of Undergraduate Research.
As a Senior Program Associate with UIC’s Learning Sciences Research Institute, Lynn collaborated with colleagues on K-12 mathematics curriculum and professional development initiatives. He led the Intensified Algebra I Project as principal investigator and lead developer, securing NSF funding to create a comprehensive, asset-based Algebra I curriculum for students entering high school underprepared in mathematics. Lynn further advanced this work as co-PI on the NSF-funded efficacy study of Intensified Algebra I.
Before joining UIC, Lynn established himself as a leader in mathematics education within Chicago Public Schools (CPS). He led mathematics departments as chairperson at both Foreman HS and Northside College Prep HS. As director of high school mathematics for the CPS Office of Math and Science, Lynn shaped district-wide mathematics education policy and practice. His dedication to educator development includes successfully mentoring multiple cohorts of CPS candidates to achieve National Board Certification and co-directing the Chicago Secondary Mathematics Improvement Project at UIC.
Yesenia Villalobos: Assistant Director of First-Year Initiatives
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!
Bio
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
Academic Specialists
Bahar Baniasad: M.A., Instructor, Academic Specialist
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.
Jon Mann
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.
Transition Coaches
Transition Coach: Transition Coach, First-Year Initiatives
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 Scott: Transition Coach, First-Year Initiatives
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.
JG
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.”
MB
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!