Here are some fun facts about the College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) leadership team.
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)