Congratulations to the 2022 Alumni Award Winners:

ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD
Arthur Kasak, B.A. 1975, Elementary Education-Physical Education

Kasak is a former NEIU athlete, Olympic Assistant Coach, Championship Coach, Actor, and Entrepreneur. After his army service, he transferred to Northeastern Illinois University and he joined the National Guard for nine years. He was instrumental in starting collegiate hockey at NEIU. As a former NEIU athlete, Arthur was on the Hockey and Baseball team. In 1974, while playing at NEIU, he was named the top goalkeeper of the league.After graduating from NEIU, he taught at a Jewish Anshe Day School where he was one of the only gentile teachers. He coached hockey for 14 years at Oak Park River Forest and Fenwick high schools, as well as the Chicago Young Americans traveling team that won national championships 2 times, under his coaching. He was also a softball Assistant Coach at New Trier High School. 

COMMUNITY LEARSHIP AWARD
Jamie L. Enge, M.A. 2013, Inner City Studies

A Chicago native and 2013 graduate of Master of Arts, Inner City Studies Education, Enge passionate about supporting youth and adults break generational curses. Enge has secured opportunities in education, non-profit, leadership, and counseling to develop and strengthen his talents as an asset-based coach and educator. While managing uncertainties, fear, trauma, and perseverance, he made the ultimate choice of becoming a first-generation college graduate. While unpacking his trauma and serving thousands of youths and adults across the nation, he developed a sincere and ferocious passion for understanding the complexity of identity as a black man and becoming an advocate for systemic change. Enge became a(n) coach, educator, and mentor whose mission is to change the narratives and trajectories of those he serves inside and outside the classroom. He is an active member of multiple counseling and community organizations, a 2020 Counselor of the Year recipient, Top 100 Visionaries in Education awardee, and a full-time Ph.D. student. He serves as Co-Founder and C.O.O. of Operation G.R.A.D, Inc., whose mission is to increase the persistence and graduation rates of collegiate African-American male students through mentoring. 

OUTSTANDING GOLD ALUMNI AWARD
Dr. Kristina Garcia, B.A. 2012, English

Dr. Kristina (she, her, hers) comes from a large, close-knit family with roots in Texas, Cuba, and Spain. She is a Chicagoland local who was a commuter student for the entirety of her collegiate career. She is passionate about working with first-generation college students and supporting the leadership development of Women of Color (WOC) within higher education. Kristina started her career as a student affairs professional and currently serves as the Dean of Communications and Behavioral Sciences at Elgin Community College in Elgin, Illinois. She also remains a part-time faculty member in Northeastern Illinois University's Higher Education Master's program (Engaging Latinx Communities for Education - ENLACE). Kristina's research passions include Latinx college student leadership development, commuter student sense of belonging, cultural values clashing, and campus racial climate.

FUTURE ALUMNI LEADER AWARD
Alvin Gutierrez, Elementary Education

Alvin Gutierrez is everywhere. If you ask most students, they know him. Alvin has been an orientation leader and STP coach, helping to guide new students at NEIU. He was president of Pin@y Filipino Club, one of the most welcoming diverse organizations on campus. He is SGA's Treasurer and COC Chair, helping support student organizations create programming. As a Northeastern Programming Board program coordinator, Alvin helps create campus-wide events for all students. A man of faith, he's a member and officer of True Vine Bible Study and Asian American Intervarsity. He's a buddy for the International Students Program, ensuring exchange students feel welcome at NEIU. As the trip leader for an ASB trip to Miami, he oversaw logistics and managed team dynamics. Kind, thoughtful and energetic, aspiring elementary school teacher, Alvin does all of this so that others can have the best experience on campus - while being president of the Honors organization and maintaining a 4.0 GPA.