Distinguished Class of 2021

Governors State University alumna Sheila Chalmers-Currin has built an esteemed career in public service, rising through the ranks at Peoples Gas, serving as Senior Advisor/Director of External Affairs in the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, and becoming a Village Board Trustee before being elected Mayor of Matteson—a role she now holds for a second term.

She is deeply committed to her community, leading senior outreach programs, a summer youth employment initiative, and pandemic food drives, all with a focus on empowerment and service.

Beth C. Boggs is the Managing Partner of Boggs, Avellino, Lach & Boggs, LLC, Missouri’s largest WBENC-certified law firm. A seasoned trial attorney, she specializes in civil litigation and has tried over 100 cases nationwide.

An Illinois SuperLawyer and Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, Beth has earned numerous awards, including “Lawyer of the Year” and the Trailblazer Award (2021). Committed to education, she funds multiple SIU law scholarships and is a nationally recognized speaker and author.

The Honorable Debbie Halvorson was the 1st Woman Illinois Senate Majority Leader in the Illinois State Legislature where she served for 12 years. She went on to serve in the US Congress in Washington, DC for 2 years. She earned her BOG from GSU in 2001 and her Master in Communications and Training from GSU in 2003. She is past president of the Supply Chain Innovation Network and has been President of American Eagle Logistics for more than 10 years. She was an adjunct for GovState for 5 years and served on the Gala Committee for the GovState Presidential Investiture Gala in 2021.

Janet Muchnik earned her Master’s in Public Administration from GovState in 1981 and built a distinguished career in public service, including roles as City Manager of Country Club Hills (7 years) and Village Manager of Park Forest (10 years). She served on the National Board of the American Planning Association, chaired the Fair Housing Coalition, and led a Federal commission on the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. A former School District 163 Board President and Park Forest Trustee, she remains active in missionary work, Rotary leadership, and the Tall Grass Arts Association, where she served as president for a decade.

Dr. Curtis Crawford earned his MBA from Governors State University in 1974 and went on to become a self-made leader with a distinguished career in executive leadership and corporate governance. He is the President and CEO of XCEO, Inc., a consulting firm focused on executive leadership, and author of Corporate Rise: The X-Principles of Extreme Personal Leadership.

Dr. Crawford began his career at IBM, rising to VP of Marketing, and later held executive roles at AT&T and Lucent Technologies. He has served as Chairman, President, and CEO at multiple companies, including ON Semiconductor, Zilog, and Onix Microsystems, and currently serves on the boards of The Chemours Company, Xylem Inc., and ON Semiconductor.

Dana Agusto is the Global Comptroller at Mathematica and a Certified Public Accountant with past experience at KPMG. A 2014 graduate of Governors State University’s Master of Accountancy program, she also holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from SIU Carbondale.

Dana serves on the board of Building Lasting Legacies and has been honored as a GovState Hall of Achievement inductee, Delta Mu Delta honorary member, and Distinguished Alumni finalist. She enjoys art, travel, reading, languages, and tennis.

Dr. Victor Onafuye-Jonathan is Senior Program Director at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, with 30+ years in IT and public service. He previously served as CIO and Deputy Director at Illinois DCFS and led Pixel Information Technology as CEO for nearly two decades.

A GovState MBA graduate, he also holds degrees from UIUC and Master’s International University of Divinity. He is a Master Project Manager and FAAPM Fellow, known for his leadership in technology and commitment to community impact.

Dr. Jintong Tang is the Mary Louise Murray Endowed Professor of Management at Saint Louis University’s Chaifetz School of Business and Director of the Emerson Leadership Institute. A Governors State University alumna, she also holds a Ph.D. in Management from the University of Alabama.

Her research focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation, and gender, including the impact of populism on women’s participation in business. Dr. Tang actively supports female and immigrant entrepreneurs through community partnerships and academic leadership, and she chairs the Research Symposium on Women Leaders and Entrepreneurs at SLU’s Women in Leadership Conference.

Dr. Parker has been an educator since 1997, serving in roles such as teacher, Dean of Students, and Assistant Principal across student life, curriculum, and athletics. His experience spans Chicago Public Schools and underserved suburban communities, with a strong focus on supporting at-risk students.

A passionate advocate for student-centered school climates, Dr. Parker has presented at national conferences like the Every Student Succeeds Act Conference, Staff Development for Educators, and the National Principals Conference. He also leads professional development workshops on building trust and resilience programs for students at risk.

Vernard Alsberry earned his BA in Health Administration (1990) and MPA (1999) from Governors State University. He is the Mayor of Hazel Crest and a dedicated public servant, known for his leadership across the region. Alsberry is President of the Southland Regional Mayoral Black Caucus and serves on several executive boards, including the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, South Suburban Land Bank, United Way, and the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association, where he was the first to serve two terms as president. He also co-chairs the Southland Development Authority and has a background as an entrepreneur in physical therapy.

Dr. Adeyemi Fatoki, a Governors State University alumnus, is board certified in Family Medicine, Bariatric Medicine, and Addiction Medicine. After struggling with his own weight and seeing limited results from traditional methods, he pursued advanced training in obesity treatment and developed a more effective, patient-centered approach.

In 2007, he launched his own Bariatric Clinic and later co-founded the Practical Weight Management Program, blending medical expertise with behavioral strategies to support sustainable weight loss. His program, available in person and online, continues to help individuals achieve lasting health through personalized care.

Dr. Mary Maryland, a 1983 Governors State University graduate, is a nationally recognized nurse leader and advocate for health equity. She earned her PhD from UIC in 1994 and has served as a nurse practitioner, Air Force Reserve Captain, and NASA diversity consultant.

Her work spans global health in Rwanda, congressional testimony on healthcare reform, and leadership roles with national nursing organizations. Honored with UIC’s Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award, Dr. Maryland continues to champion nursing, equity, and education.

Alicia Tate-Nadeau is a Governors State University alumna and retired Illinois National Guard General—the first woman in Illinois to achieve that rank. With over 30 years in public safety, she led Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications, overseeing 9-1-1 services and emergency response.

Her service includes deployments to Iraq and Israel, and contributions to national preparedness initiatives. Alicia is also a proud mother of two, Lindsey and Gavin.

Dr. Tiffany is a graduate of the Interdisciplinary Leadership doctoral program at Governors State University, with a focus in Higher Education Administration. With over 20 years of experience in higher education, she founded the award-winning 2Gethers Foundation, a nonprofit based in Illinois and Texas that supports first-generation college students in overcoming barriers to graduation.

Inspired by her doctoral research on student retention and persistence, her capstone project has been downloaded nearly 1,500 times worldwide, demonstrating global interest in her work and impact.

Tim Cappos is a Digital Content Coordinator for Governors State University’s Office of Marketing and Communication. He graduated from GovState in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and earned the Gerald C. Baysore Distinguished Service Award in 2021 for his exceptional service as a GovState staff member.

Jamelia Hand ('02, '04) is CEO of Vantage Clinical Consulting and a dedicated advocate for addiction recovery. Inspired by her father’s battle with opioid addiction, she created the Gregory J. Hand Addiction Recovery Scholarship at Governors State University to support future counselors.

After caring for her father, Hand earned her degrees in Addiction Counseling at GovState, which shaped her mission to improve treatment access and education. Today, she helps providers grow through strategic consulting while continuing to raise awareness and support for the addiction recovery field.

Megan Rodgers, a GovState alumna, holds a master’s in Criminal Justice and is pursuing a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Studies. As Manager of Advocacy and Crisis Intervention at the YWCA, she leads sexual and community violence programs in South Cook and DuPage Counties. She chairs the South Suburban Cook County Sexual Assault Response Team and serves on multiple advocacy groups.

A dedicated researcher, Megan has presented on topics like restorative justice and domestic violence, with her latest work featured in Lake Como, Italy. She also serves on the Institutional Review Board at Prairie State College.

Mel helped build Governors State University in the 1970s, serving in key communications roles under the first three presidents, including as Special Assistant to the President. He was named Professor Emeritus during a Fulbright scholarship in Australia and received the Faculty Excellence Award in 2000 and 2002.

A leader in media and technology, he chaired the Park Forest Cable Commission and served on the Freedom Hall Committee. Mel is a past President of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra Board, a longtime GovState Foundation supporter, and an active community volunteer, including international missionary work providing eyeglasses to those in need.

Christine Cochrane, a 1974 GovState MBA graduate, served 14 years as Director of the Small Business Development Center, supporting local entrepreneurs. She later led development efforts as Project Manager for the South Suburban Airport and served as Monee Township Supervisor. A licensed pilot, Cochrane’s expertise spans economic growth, education, and public service, leaving a lasting impact on GovState and the Southland community.

Dr. Dianna Galante, GovState Emerita, has dedicated 40+ years to advancing math education, transforming Governors State University’s Mathematics Program into a nationally recognized destination for aspiring teachers. A Faculty Excellence Award recipient, she pioneered the Mathematics Student Teaching Scholarship and an MS in Mathematics to help professionals transition into teaching. As she retires, her legacy continues through the students and educators she has inspired.

Dr. Larry McClellan, a founding faculty member of Governors State University and Emeritus professor, dedicated 31 years to sociology and community studies. A nationally recognized expert on the Underground Railroad, his research has led to multiple National Park Service Network to Freedom site listings. He has authored numerous works on Illinois history, including Onward to Chicago, which won the 2023 Memorial Prize for the Advancement of Knowledge. In 2022, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the field.

Salvador Mendoza, a proud Governors State University alumnus, serves as Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion at NBCUniversal, where he leads initiatives to promote equity, leadership development, and inclusive culture. Born in Honduras and raised in Chicago, Salvador brings a deep passion for representation and community impact. He has been recognized among Hispanic Business Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Hispanics and is a recipient of numerous awards for his work in DEI. In 2021, he returned to GovState as a Distinguished Alumni Reception keynote speaker.