Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and employers were honored with the 2025 Commitment to Career Excellence Awards hosted by Career Services. This inaugural event was initiated to recognize and celebrate the collective responsibility shared in preparing Redbirds for their futures.

“The Commitment to Career Excellence Awards is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire community,” said Career Services Director Quanisha Kumi-Darfour. “By recognizing the achievements of those who have made significant contributions, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering an environment where every student can thrive and achieve their career aspirations.”

Career Services received 53 nominations, including over 42 individuals, departments, registered student organizations, and employers.

The 2025 Commitment to Career Excellence Award recipients are listed below.

2025 Employer of the Year

The Employer of the Year is presented to two employers, one for-profit and one non-profit, who demonstrated exceptional dedication to developing Redbirds’ career readiness and seeking Redbird candidates for their organizations. The employers frequently engaged with the Illinois State community through attendance at career fairs, Career Services programs, and other methods of engagement.

Profit

Monica Hood, talent manager for Enterprise Mobility, is Employer of the Year (profit). Hood worked diligently with students and Career Services staff to assist with networking and engagement opportunities. Her nominator states, “She is consistently seeking to develop strategies to expand her impact on Redbirds.”

Non-profit

Dr. Carl Vallianatos, assistant superintendent for McHenry High School District #156, is Employer of the Year (non-profit). Vallianatos created multiple partnerships to provide excellent career experiences for Redbird teacher candidates. He collaborated with the Teacher Education Center at Illinois State, Nest Up North, and the Secondary Professional Schools cohort. According to his nominator, “He has truly made McHenry High School District #156 a place for Redbirds to land after graduation.”

2025 Career Champion of the Year

The Career Champion of the Year is presented to an individual, Illinois State faculty/staff member, team, committee, or department who remained steadfast in developing students’ career skills and proactively promoted Career Services programs, events, and/or services.

Dr. Iftikhar Haider, instructional assistant professor for Illinois State University’s Office of International Engagement, is the Career Champion of the Year. Nominated by one of his students, Haider is well-known for his unwavering dedication to student success, career development, and long-term mentorship. They state, “He brings professional experience, deep empathy, and strategic thinking that empowers students to make informed decisions.”

2025 Intern of the Year

The Intern of the Year is presented to a student who participated in an internship during summer 2024, fall 2024, and/or spring 2025 and has demonstrated exceptional knowledge and/or growth in any of the NACE Competencies.

Kaitlyn Holcomb is the Intern of the Year. Holcomb is studying criminal justice sciences, is a member of the ROTC, and has achieved a high academic standing. In addition to her studies, she participated in an internship with Catalyst Ministries, an organization that restores women who are survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, to help her better prepare for her future career with Homeland Security’s Department of Anti-Human Trafficking. She often shared the impact of her internship with other students at Career Services programs and was featured in videos on Career Services’ social media pages.

2025 Career Services Student Staff Member of the Year

Career Services Student Staff Member of the Year is presented to an undergraduate or graduate student staff member who embodies the Career Services values of collaboration, learning and development, innovation, and quality. This individual has demonstrated a commitment to professional growth by participating in career events or advising beyond their primary responsibilities.

Alexis Muoghalu ’24, graduate assistant, is the Career Services Student Staff Member of the Year. Muoghalu served Career Services for several years as a receptionist and as a graduate assistant, where she demonstrated a strong commitment to her educational and professional future. Her nominator states, “She provides support to the vast student and alumni population, as well as the employers she engages with.”

2025 Career Services Staff Member of the Year

Career Services Staff Member of the Year is presented to a full-time staff member who has embodied the Career Services values of collaboration, learning and development, innovation, and quality.

Tamanna Tasmin ’21, program coordinator, is Career Services Staff Member of the Year. According to her nominator, “Tasmin creates engaging programs and coordinates with staff, faculty, and alumni to ensure smooth delivery of the programs. She is great at working collaboratively to create new programs, improve current ones, and provide feedback on ways to improve the student experience.”

2025 RSO of the Year

RSO of the year is presented to a registered student organization that showed significant engagement with Career Services through presentation requests, partnering on programs and events, or reaching out for additional resources and support.

Alpha Kappa Psi is RSO of the Year. Several members of Alpha Kappa Psi serve as Career Services career ambassadors. The registered student organization requires its pledges and members to use Career Services and encourages them all to attend its fairs and events. In addition, they invited Career Services to attend their meetings each semester. According to the nominator, “They do a great job of getting their members connected to Career Services and helping their members become more career ready.”

2025 Internship Coordinator of the Year

Internship Coordinator of the Year is presented to an individual faculty/staff member whose role involves working with interns or other experiential learning students. This individual has demonstrated a commitment to career readiness by sharing information from Career Services, requesting presentations, hosting career programs or events, or taking other actions.

Dr. Tom Lamonica ’88, instructional assistant professor and director of field experiences for the School of Communication, is the Internship Coordinator of the Year. Lamonica is an active advocate for students pursuing internship opportunities both on and off-campus. Over 75% of students in the School of Communication graduate with at least one internship, and 40% graduate with at least two. Lamonica encouraged interns to utilize Hire-A-Redbird to track their professional development and actively promoted the Redbird Launch Grants to students pursuing unpaid internships in the summer.

2025 Engaged Alumni Award

The Engaged Alumni Award is presented to an Illinois State alum who, after graduation, showed a strong commitment to career readiness by engaging with Career Services through attendance at career fairs, Career Services programs, or through other methods of engagement.

Andrew Sutter ’07 is the recipient of the Engaged Alumni award. Sutter participated in Career Services programs as a regular panelist, volunteering his time and expertise with students. Sutter provides job search tips and practical strategies that help students feel less overwhelmed with the process. His nominator says, “He has become a fan favorite, sharing tips and tricks that leave students feeling prepared and inspired.”