Meet Your Commuter Mentors
Here at EIU it’s important that we help our freshman commuter students feel connected to campus—even when they can’t be here 24/7. That’s why we have an awesome staff of Commuter Mentors to keep you in the know! Consider these people your personal connections to campus—they’ll be available to answer whatever questions you have and fill you in on what’s going on at EIU.
Tyler Micek
My name is Tyler Micek and I am currently getting my Master's in College Student Affairs. While my coursework keeps me pretty busy, I still find time to work for the Office of New Student Programs, advise a Greek organization, and participate in a professional development organization. When I'm not working on my thesis, I enjoy spending time with my fiance and friends, playing games, and watching movies. My favorite thing about EIU is the fabulous New Student Programs Office!
Sam Rosell
My name is Sam Rosell and I am a Special Education major entering my senior year at EIU! During my time as an EIU student I have been heavily involved with the Office of New Student Programs, which is the office that facilitates orientation and transition programs for new students. I have also spent time working with the Student Council for Exceptional Children, a registered student organization that serves populations with special needs. When I’m not working or in class I love finding new music, playing my PlayStation, and hiking. My favorite thing about EIU would definitely be all the wonderful people that I’ve met over the last 4 years!
Kate Brown
Hi! My name is Kate Brown and I am a Senior History Secondary Education Major. My hometown is in Trenton, IL. It’s just a little rural town 30 minutes outside of St. Louis, Missouri (we don’t even have a stop light!). I am involved with a lot on campus, especially my job with New Student Programs. I’ve worked for the office for three years. I’ve worked with Prowl and then got to join the Debut staff as the Debut Specialist. I also actively attend the Wesley Foundation which is one of the campus ministries and I am a part of a service sorority on campus, ESA. Some things that I enjoy doing in my spare time are hiking/camping, singing, and dancing. I definitely love adventure. My favorite thing about EIU is the close-knit atmosphere on campus. It’s a small enough campus that I can go anywhere and know someone, but I can also go anywhere and meet someone new!
Angie Bradley
My name is Angie Bradley and I am a Pre-Veterinary Medicine/Biology major entering my senior year here at Eastern. Besides going to class I am also involved with the New Student Programs office; as a Prowl Leader my sophomore year and a Debut Leader this past summer. I thoroughly enjoy the process of transitioning new students to EIU's campus. I also spend time as the Vice President for my sorority by planning events and programs around campus. I also work at the Honors College as the Departmental Honors Intern. Whenever I am not working or doing sorority things I love doing things outside like playing sports, hiking, swimming, and camping. You can sometimes find me in the garden next to the Life Sciences Building, which is my favorite spot on Eastern's campus.
Sarah Lueken
My name is Sarah Lueken and I am a junior Communication Studies major here at EIU. My concentration for my major is in Public Relations and I am also minoring in Studio Art. While at Eastern I have been involved in several different organizations including Epsilon Sigma Alpha and Art Association. I am the PR Coordinator for University Board, a House Manager and Box Office Salesperson at the Doudna Fine Arts Center, a Debut Leader for New Student Programs and a student worker at Thomas Dining Hall. With what little free time I have between work, class, and all my other involvement, I enjoy catching up with my gal pals, watching HGTV and reality TV, working out, and spending time with my boyfriend. I love EIU because it feels like home!
Nike Ogunbodede
My name is Nike Ogunbodede and I am a senior Journalism major! I feel like the most important thing a person can do is get involved in things that enrich not only their experience at Eastern, but their lives. I am very involved in Student Publications as the associate news editor of The Daily Eastern News (Eastern's newspaper), an editor of The Warbler (Eastern's yearbook) and an executive member of Eastern's chapter of the Society for Collegiate Journalists. Of course, I am also involved in New Student Programs. One of my favorite things about Eastern is the hands-on experience students are given access to from day one. Outside of those involvements, I love reading comic books, watching movies, reading novels, and listening to music. I really think Eastern as a lot of offer and remember....help will always be given at Eastern to those who ask for it.
Darnell Tyms
My name is Darnell Tyms and I am a proud Interpersonal Communication major! Since my arrival at EIU I have been heavily involved with the S.T.R.O.N.G. MENtoring Program, The Panther Speech Team, Rhythm & X-tacy Dance Team, and Black Student Union where I was crowned the 2011 Mr. Essence Scholarship Pageant winner. Now I have the pleasure of being your Debut Leader and Commuter Mentor through the Office of New Student Programs. FUN RIGHT??? In my spare time I enjoy lifting weights, event planning, hanging with friends, improving, cutting hair, designing clothes, and of course shopping! Above all, I love that here at EIU there are so many opportunities to get involved on campus, as well as with the Charleston community. You just have to get out there!
Ben Poznic
My name is Ben Poznic and I am a Pre-Optometry major with a Chemistry minor. In the Fall, I will be entering my junior year at EIU. I am heavily involved on campus. In addition to working in the New Student Programs office, I am involved in Greek Life, the pre-health major honors society Alpha Epsilon Delta, the honors service organization Phi Alpha Eta, and I will be starting research in the Biology Department in the Fall. In my free time I mostly enjoy hanging out with my friends and my fraternity, playing Xbox, and running or being active. My favorite part about EIU is the campus size and how friendly everyone is here!
Abby Wilburn
My name is Abby Wilburn and I am a junior double majoring in Sociology and Philosophy. I love Eastern Illinois University, and I am so grateful for the opportunities the campus has given me. On campus I am involved with: the Office of New Student Programs as a Debut Leader and last year as a Panther Pal, the Wesley Foundation, the Pemberton Hall Tutoring Program, the Health Education Resource Center, Concert Choir, and I am currently serving as president of EIU Pride. In my spare time I love to browse the interweb, learn Beyonce’s dances, and spend time with my pals. My favorite thing about EIU will always be the warm-fuzzy feeling I get from being a panther.
Pete Zizzo
My name is Pete Zizzo and I am currently entering my third year of college as an undecided major, considering something in the business field. I am a transfer student here at EIU after my first semester. Since I have gotten here I've been involved in a variety of areas and have hit the ground running. I have been a part of the Men's Club Volleyball team, I served on the Cabinet of the Interfraternal Council (IFC), was a member of the Student Government where I also served as the Committee Chair of University Development and Recycling and represented the Criminal Justice Club, served as a Prowl Leader and Debut Leader through New Student Programs, work in the Food Court Subway, and I am a brother of the social fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon. I love listening to and playing music, staying active, and always keeping busy and staying involved. My favorite thing about being EIU would be the community and the school size.
Allie Moran
My name is Allie Moran and I am a junior studying Public Relations at EIU. This year marks my third year as a Panther and my love for this institution grows more every year. During my time as an EIU student I have been involved with the orientation and transition programs for new students as a Prowl Leader and a Debut Leader. I am involved on campus as a member of many organizations including: the EIU cheerleading squad, Alpha Sigma Tau social sorority, Phi Eta Sigma honors society, PRSSA, and the Newman Catholic Center. I enjoy doing crafts, reading, and hanging with my friends in my free time. My favorite part about EIU is the close-knit community found on campus and in the city of Charleston!
