Chad McEvoy, dean

Favorite Illinois State or Bloomington-Normal annual event: Commencement

What’s your coffee order? Lots of coffee—hot coffee when it’s cold out and iced coffee in the summer

Best concert you have ever attended: Elton John and Billy Joel together

Cara Rabe-Hemp, executive associate dean

Number of years at Illinois State: I just started my 25th year.

Favorite part of your job: Working with the amazing CAST faculty, staff, students, and leadership team (and spreadsheets)

Favorite quote: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” —Maya Angelou

Kara Snyder, assistant dean of marketing, communications, and constituent relations 

Favorite place on campus: The bridge between Milner Plaza and the Quad. I like being able to see it all. 

Favorite way to unwind on the weekend: A hot yoga class 

Favorite local restaurant: Fort Jesse Café 

Tamekia Bailey, director of student success and CAST Connections 

Number of years at Illinois State: 21. I came in 2004 as a transfer student and never left. 

Something that is always on your desk: hand sanitizer 

Leadership philosophy: Leadership is both a responsibility and a privilege, grounded in service, intentionality, accountability, and growth. 

Cindy Greskiwcz, business administrative associate

Favorite place on campus: CEFCU Arena

Favorite fictional character from a book, show, or movie: Mickey Mouse

Something that is always on your desk: pen, paper to-do-list, and Breathe Deep lotion (something very needed) 

Toni Burningham, director of development

Favorite local restaurant: Anju Above

Favorite fictional character from a book, show, or movie: Ellen Ripley in Alien movies (played by Sigourney Weaver)

Leadership philosophy: If you don’t ask, you’ll never know.

Teresa Fowler, office manager

Favorite local restaurant: Tobin’s Pizza

Dream vacation destination: Alaskan cruise

Favorite Illinois State or Bloomington-Normal annual event: Sweet Corn Circus festival

Chandra Smith, director of CAST-IT

Something that is always on your desk: Two Minions from the Minions movie, my years of service coin, and a dumpster fire coin

Favorite quote: “Leadership is about taking responsibility, not making excuses—unless the printer jammed again, then it’s totally the printer’s fault.” —Office wisdom

Favorite way to unwind on the weekend: Relaxing on the deck or patio with the people I love

Lucas Maxwell, chair of the Department of Agriculture

Something that is always on your desk: Sadly, a long to-do list 

Favorite part of your job: Supporting students and faculty while building a strong, inclusive future for agriculture

Favorite place on campus: The University Farm, where education gets its boots muddy, and learning is hands-on

Donna Selman, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice Sciences

Favorite part of your job: Finding ways to make people’s lives easier

Go-to coffee order: London Fog

Best concert you have ever attended: Monsters of Rock in Germany, 1989

Kelly Reddy-Best, chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Go-to snack: Greek yogurt

Dream vacation destination: Vietnam/Ho Chi Minh Trail

Leadership philosophy: Lead with clear and compassionate communication, a deep commitment to justice and equity, and a strong belief in work-life balance to foster inclusive, sustainable, and trust-centered environments.

Chris Grieshaber, chair of the Department of Health Sciences

Favorite part of your job: Working with my colleagues on new ideas

Favorite way to unwind on the weekend: Soccer is my therapy

Dream vacation destination: Lazy: Hawaii; Not lazy: London

Sherif Rashad, director of the School of Information Technology

Go-to coffee order: Americano, no sugar and no milk

Best concert you have ever attended: Opera Aida at the Cairo Opera House, Egypt

Favorite quote: “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” —Steve Jobs

Noelle Selkow, director of the School of Kinesiology and Recreation

Favorite place on campus: Redbird Plaza, on the swings

Go-to snack: Cashews and string cheese

Favorite Illinois State or Bloomington-Normal annual event: Sugar Creek Arts Festival

Lt. Col. Steve Krippel, chair of the Department of Military Science

Favorite place on campus: Horton Field House (Morning PT)

Favorite way to unwind on the weekend: Working on old Chevys

Favorite fictional character from a book, show, or movie: Capt. John Miller (Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan)

Josh Brown, chair of the Department of Technology

Something that is always on your desk: Coffee

Favorite place on campus: Adjacent to campus … Uptown Normal

Best concert you have ever attended: It’s a tie: Rage Against the Machine (Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan, 1999) and Jack White (American Legion Hall, a small venue in Nashville, Tennessee, 2024)