College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board
The College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board was established as a small, informal group of “friends of the college” in 2009 to enhance the connection between the college, alumni and greater community. The CAS Advisory Board serve as a “sounding board” for present and proposed programs, activities and issues relating to the College of Arts and Sciences, identifies opportunities for Arts and Sciences students and alumni to enrich their education, career, and cultural opportunities through internships, mentorships, social activities and other beneficial experiences, assists in the development and maintenance of external support and participates in the ongoing strategic planning process for the college.
Gia Orr, Co-Chair
Gia Orr is the Director of Community Relations, Resources and Legislative Affairs at the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, a state agency statutorily created to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities and mental health needs. She also serves as the agency Equal Employment Opportunity/ADA and 504 Officer, Chief Results Officer, Director of Training and Constituent Affairs Liaison. Her interest in rulemaking, the wheels of government, and legislation began with a spirited internship as an HBCU undergraduate student (Tennessee State University) with the State of Tennessee Legislature. Her wide array of interests led to a career path start in state agency program work which then winded into education for over sixteen years. She proudly filled positions from classroom teacher to principal in the Chicagoland area for fifteen years. These work experiences coupled with the completion of two graduate programs, led to a new opportunity to return to work with state government. She also cherishes volunteering as a board member with three Illinois colleges/universities.
Christopher L. Torres, Co-Chair
Christopher Torres is the South/Southwest Regional Director for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. With 153 programs at 154 locations throughout Cook and Lake Counties, Christopher and his staff engage the two regions that serve the greater southland of Cook County.
Christopher started as a Site Manager for The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). This is a USDA food and nutrition program administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and is operated by Catholic Charities. The Centers provide a variety of WIC-approved foods for eligible participants in Chicago. The food centers also provide access to social services, nutritional education, job training, and educational programs.
Christopher’s background is in operations and management. He is a servant leader who works with community partners, two regional advisory boards, parishes, and the greater community to serve those in need.
Christopher holds a B.A. in Management from National Louis University and a Master of Public Administration from Governors State University.
Through a broad spectrum of services, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago annually assist more than 1 million persons in Cook and Lake Counties without regard to religious, ethnic or economic background.
Brian Bullock
Brian Bullock pioneered the launch of his design-focused VFX company serving the needs of clients across the United States, spanning multiple industries. Engages in visual effects projects, 2D and 3D animation, and digital content creation for brands that have included US Army, Miller Lite, Rolex, NEC, Motorola, ESPN, Philips, Powerfleet and P&G. Also, he participated as a Head Judge for Shots.net in 2022. (VFX and Editorial categories)
Jaclin J. Davis
Jaclin J. Davis is a results-driven leader with a solid record of executing projects from vision to execution. With distinct project management, communications, and community outreach skills, Jaclin produces materials and programs that create impactful results. She is a hands-on leader with expertise in growing Start Ups, Advertising, Development, Networking, Marketing, Public Relations, Recruitment, and Event Planning. Jaclin has been recognized as a multi-level professional leader, having consistently delivered impactful results that exceed expectations. She has been characterized as utilizing innovative approaches through education and research to gain competitive strategies, including the ability to keep abreast of significant trends in Healthcare, Violence Prevention, and Media. Jaclin holds a dual bachelor's degree in Healthcare Management and Business Administration in Management. Jaclin suffers from a severe case of fearlessness and prescribes to the belief that accountability, integrity, and transparency are the core to genuine success.
Jaclin is the Executive Director of the Cook County Southland Juvenile Justice Council. Additionally, as Program Director of the Community Violence Prevention Program over both Thornton & Bremen Townships, Jaclin advocated and secured to restore viable reentry services throughout south suburban Cook County and expanded recruiting deliverables of youth employment. Jaclin is a Consultant to local entrepreneurs & businesses; and thrives on empowering youth and returning citizens towards achieving quality of life. Through research, advocacy efforts, collaboration with peers, Southland community stakeholder and elected officials, HB4044 successfully passed through the Illinois State Legislature. Commencing the 1st Juvenile Justice Council in Cook County, focusing on the South Suburban Region of Cook County respectfully.
The Cook County Southland Juvenile Justice Council (SJJC) became official, January 1, 2016. Below entails a snapshot of the Accomplishments of SJJC, under Jaclin’s leadership:
- • Assisted in compiling data and completion of the Southland Juvenile Justice Council’s Executive Summary & Juvenile Justice Plan
- • Initiated effort to change existing statue to support Regional Juvenile Justice Council
- • Conducted outreach to elected officials to support and pass HB4044 in the General Assembly
- • Enlisted the support of community stakeholders & has secured over $3.7 million dollars in funding for sustainability of the Southland Juvenile Justice Council to date
- • In 2020, SJJC became the only Juvenile Justice Council to provide direct services to the youth and families that it serves
Awards
- • 2015 Chicago Defender Women of Excellence, Recipient
Board Affiliations
- • Southland Human Services Leadership Council
- • Vice Chairwoman, 2017-Present
- • United Way, Community Impact Steering Committee
- • Member 2017-2022
- • Statewide Citizens Committee on Abuse/Neglect Committee
- • Member 2019-Present
- • UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Community Advisory Council
- • Member 2020-Present
Gina DiMartino
Gina DiMartino is the Associate Director of Online Instruction at National Louis University, a private, nonprofit, four-year institution with main campus located in Chicago, Illinois. An advocate of faculty and students, Gina has worked in higher education since 2004. Previously, Gina worked as a Project Manager for a major educational publishing company. She graduated from Governors State University with a Master’s degree in Communication and Human Performance Training. Gina will obtain her Ed.S. degree in Higher Education Leadership from National Louis University in June.
Conrad R. Kiebles
For over 30 years, Conrad R. Kiebles served the South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association and many municipalities throughout the Chicago Southland. He is the retired Villager Administrator of Orland Hills and served in the same capacity for Steger and Calumet Park. Kiebles also served in consulting capacities for Lynwood, Oak Forest, Frankfort and Lemont. He began his career with the City of Chicago Department of Public Works.
Kiebles has taught at several Chicago area universities since 1980 including Lewis University, St. Xavier University, Robert Morris University and Roosevelt University. He currently serves as an Adjunct Economics Instructor for South Suburban College.
Conrad currently represents the Village of Orland Hills as a board member of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce and the Chicago Southland Visitor & Convention Bureau.
Robert Mason
Robert Mason is a GSU Alumni with an MFA in Independent Film & Digital Imaging. He also achieved a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from GSU. He enjoys staying connected to the GSU community via Advisory Board, Chicago Southland International Film Festival, and Study Abroad opportunities with the Office of International Studies. As a Filmmaker, he produces music videos, short films, and digital media for local small businesses. Robert is a full time Electrician at Ford Motor Company, a member of the UAW and Veteran of the U. S. Marine Corps.
Jackie McKethen
Born in 1946 as Jack G. McKethen, in Topeka, Kansas. Jackie transitioned as MTF transgender in 2004. She was in the Air Force, Iowa Army Reserves and Air National Guard, and received 3 Honorable Discharges. She was in Vietnam in 1968. She attended Washburn University, Topeka Kansas, Richard Daley College, Chicago and Columbia College Chicago. She has lived in Chicago-land since 1969.
Jackie has worked in credit collection, finance, bank management and retail at all levels to include supervisor and management. After retiring, she has done acting and production work in TV, Film and Theatre. She designed clothes under her own label “Jackie Oooo” . She has a cable access CAN TV show for The Civil Rights Agenda. She has served on several boards as President and Secretary. She has been a volunteer firefighter, Boy Scout and Cub Scout leader, and is now a Girl Scout Co-leader. She was President of Dupage County NOW (National Organization for Women), and is now Vice Commander of American Legion Post 1291, President and CEO of Mobile Moniker Productions Inc., caretaker for friend and activist for the Transgender LGBQIA community. She tries to serve in any capacity which will help to promote knowledge, understanding, respect and an equal and just future for the community to which she belongs. She does speaking engagements in association with her knowledge and experiences as member of the LGBTIA community.
Jackie likes playing baseball, tennis, golf, bowling and pool. She also likes horseback riding, camping and canoeing, playing bridge and other card games, movies, theatre, cooking, fashion shows, painting and being around other people. She likes to get involved in community activities.
Karl Rademacher
Karl Rademacher lives in St. John Indiana with his wife of 25 years and two of three daughters. He has been with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago for five years, where he is focused on security assurance for high impact computing environments. He performed in a similar role at University of Chicago, shepherding production authorization for a big data project at the core of Joe Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative. His main hobbies are writing, and car shows / racing. On many weekends, you can find him at the race track, either as pit crew or a safety steward. He is an unrepentant geek, playing and running several tabletop role-play games like Dungeons and Dragons.
Robert White
Robert White has over twenty five years of technical and operational leadership experience, serving the specialty surfactant industry in both the USA and Europe. His career has focused on operational excellence and site transformation initiatives through asset optimization, process design, capital investment strategy, cost reduction, and compliance with safety, quality and environmental commitments. He has extensive experience with labor relations and contract negotiations.
Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (BEng Honors) from The University of Edinburgh, in Scotland UK.
Robert has served on the College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board since 2016.
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