Ann Marie Klotz, MA 2009 LAS (Women's and Gender Studies), PHD 2014 COE (Curriculum Studies)
As Pacifica Graduate Institute celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Institute proudly announces the appointment of Ann Marie Klotz as its fifth President. A nationally respected higher education leader, scholar, strategist, and advocate for transformational education, Klotz brings more than two decades of leadership experience in enrollment management, student success, fundraising, organizational transformation, and strategic planning. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to expanding access to education, strengthening mission-driven institutions, and empowering students and communities to lead lives of meaning, purpose, and impact. A first-generation college student originally from Detroit, Michigan, Klotz earned her bachelor's degree from Grand Valley State University, master's degrees from Michigan State University and DePaul University, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum Studies and Educational Leadership from DePaul University. Her doctoral research focused on the leadership trajectories and leadership styles of female university presidents. Klotz will be inaugurated in January 2027 as part of Pacifica Graduate Institute's year-long 50th Anniversary celebration, honoring five decades of scholarship, creativity, and transformative education while marking the beginning of a new chapter of innovation, global engagement, and expanded impact for the Institute's next fifty years. (6/17/26)

Mary Patricia Beck, MED 2003 COE (Teaching and Learning Secondary Education)
Distinctive Schools has appointed Mary Beck as President and Chief Executive Officer, formalizing a leadership transition that positions the Chicago-based charter school network for its next phase of growth and academic innovation. Beck assumed the role on June 1, 2026, after serving as President for the past 18 months. She succeeds Scott Frauenheim, who has transitioned to Executive Chairman of the Distinctive Schools National Board following a succession plan designed to ensure leadership continuity while advancing the organization’s long-term strategic priorities. Before joining Distinctive Schools, Beck served as Deputy Chief of Teaching and Learning for Chicago Public Schools, where she oversaw district-wide instructional initiatives and played a leadership role in developing the district’s artificial intelligence framework. During her tenure, Chicago Public Schools advanced academic recovery efforts while implementing new approaches to teaching and learning designed to address evolving student needs. (6/16/26)

Nancy Villafranca-Guzman, BA 2000 COE (Secondary Education History)
Borderless Magazine announced today that Nancy Villafranca-Guzmán will serve as its next executive director, leading the award-winning nonprofit newsroom into its next phase of growth. Villafranca-Guzmán is a proven leader with over 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership at Chicago cultural institutions. She has worked in executive leadership roles at the National Museum of Mexican Art and Chicago History Museum and served as deputy commissioner of programming at DCASE during Mayor Lightfoot’s administration. Most recently, she served as vice president of Impact at PODER, where she led strategy and fundraising for holistic programs serving Spanish-speaking immigrants. (6/16/26)

Suraj S. Desai, MED 2014 COE (Teaching and Learning Secondary Education Biology)
Blue Mountain Capital (BMC) has announced a significant addition to its team with the appointment of Suraj Desai as partner and head of hospitality. With over 13 years of extensive experience in capital advisory, Desai is set to lead the firm’s national hospitality finance practice from its office in Florida, a move that is expected to enhance BMC’s operations in this sector. (5/14/26)

Drake Diener, BA 2006 COE (Secondary Education Social Sciences), Men’s Basketball
Drake Diener has been hired as the new Athletic Director and Boys Varsity Basketball Coach at Fond du Lac High School. Drake joins the Cardinals from Marian University, where he served as the assistant athletic director and head men's basketball coach. Diener is a DePaul Athletics Hall of Fame inductee. (4/24/26)

Antoine L. Reed, EDD 2020 COE (Educational Leadership)
Antoine Reed has been selected by the Sun Prairie (WI) Board of Education as the next superintendent of the Sun Prairie Area School District. Reed has more than 20 years of experience in public education and currently serves as chief of culture and student engagement for Rockford Public Schools. Reed’s experience also includes serving as chief of schools/high school principal for Milwaukee College Prep, and a principal in South Bend and Chicago. His earlier roles include assistant principalships and instructional leadership positions. Reed earned his Ph.D. in educational leadership from DePaul University and completed graduate studies at the Relay Graduate School of Education. Reed earned a Master of Science in social science from Chicago State University and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Missouri State University. (4/21/26)

Jennifer Bozyk, MED 2010 COE (Teaching and Learning Secondary Education English)
Jennifer Bozyk, 7th-grade humanities instructor at Sacred Heart School of Chicago, was named as a finalist for the 2026 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching. (3/4/26)


Since 1970, the Illinois State Board of Education has sponsored the Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year program to honor educators who have made significant contributions to our state's public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools. Awards are presented in seven categories: classroom teachers, early career educators (teachers 1-4 years), school administrators, student support personnel, educational service personnel, community volunteers, and teams. 

The following DePaul alumni have received 2026 Illinois State Board of Education awards:

Allyson L. Johns, MA 1995 COE (Human Services and Counseling)
Allyson Johns Adams, Maine Township HSD 207, received the Award of Meritorious Service.

Cody William Dailey, MED 2018 COE (Counseling)
Cody Dailey, Lyons Township HSD 204, received the Award of Excellence.

Danae Marie Ciske,MED 2004 COE (Teaching and Learning Elementary Education)
Danae Ciske, Glenview CCSD 34, received the Award of Meritorious Service.

Kelsey Tuhtar Jacobus, MED 2022 COE (Teaching and Learning Secondary Education Physics)
Kelsey Jacobus, New Trier Township HSD 203, received the Award of Special Recognition.

Lisa R. Brough, BA 2012 COE (Secondary Education English)
Lisa Brough, Hinsdale CCSD 181, received the Award of Special Recognition.

Rachel Lara, MED 2022 COE (Social and Cultural Foundations in Education)
Rachel Lara, Chicago Public Schools 299, received the Award of Excellence.

Suzanne Colombe Johnson, MED 2002 COE (Curriculum Studies)
Suzanne Johnson, Richmond-Burton CHSD 157, received the Award of Special Recognition. (2/17/26)

Francesco O. Campobasso, BSC 2006 DCOB (Marketing, Finance), MED 2022 COE (T&L World Language Education Spanish)
Now in his fourth year as an Italian teacher at Resurrection College Prep in Chicago, Francesco Campobasso credits a conversation with his cousins in Italy for steering him toward his true passion. After earning a bachelor’s degree of commerce in finance from DePaul University in Chicago, Campobasso worked for various banks for 15 years despite having always wanted to be a teacher. Then, during a visit to Italy in October 2019, he found himself having honest conversations with family about what he really wanted to do. On his final night there, his cousins gifted him a bracelet inscribed with a quote in Italian by Vincent Van Gogh: “Che cosa sarebbe la vita se non avessimo il coraggio di correre dei rischi” (“What would life be if we didn’t have the courage to take risks”). “That was my wake-up call,” Campobasso recalls. “I knew I had to stop being afraid and pursue my passions. When I came back, with the support of my mother and sisters, I applied for the graduate program at DePaul, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.” (1/21/26)

Patrick J. Savage, BS 1968 COE (Business Education), MED 1972 COE (Business Education), Former Track and Field Coach
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has announced five honorees to be inducted into the NJCAA Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Three coaches and two student-athletes have been selected to join the 2025 class: David Barney, Faith Linga Chepengat, James Macnider, Patrick Savage, and AG Bradford. Patrick Savage was the head coach of the men's and women's cross country, track & field, and half marathon teams at Oakton College for 32 years. During Savage's tenure, he coached 39 NJCAA All American recipients, four NJCAA individual national champions, and 19 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference MVP Runners. Oakton won eight NJCAA Region IV Championships, eight Illinois State Community College Championships (Men's and Women's Track and Cross Country), 18 top-two finishes in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Championships and the 2002 NJCAA Marathon Championship. Savage played an instrumental role in Oakton hosting the NJCAA Marathon Championship from 1988-1995. Savage was awarded the NJCAA Coaches Legacy Award and was inducted into the NJCAA Region IV Hall of Fame, the Skyway Conference Hall of Fame, Depaul University Athletics Hall of Fame, Illinois High School Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame, and the Niles West Hall of Fame. Savage was also President of the Chicago Area Runners Association, which is the third largest in the United States, from 1992-1994. Savage has endowed two athletic scholarships, one at Oakton College, and one at Depaul University Athletics. (10/30/25)

Laura N. Peete, MED 2018 COE (Educational Leadership)
Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), has announced Laura Peete as its new foundation director as of Sept. 8. Peete has a decades-long career uplifting artists and building inclusive creative ecosystems. She has led the development of programs, productions, and fellowships that have supported, mentored, and celebrated hundreds of emerging and established artists across disciplines. Most recently, she served as associate artistic director at Theatre Under the Stars in Houston, where she line-produced mainstage works, guided artistic strategy, served as casting director, developed and curated artistic experiences including festivals and award ceremonies, and directed the launch of the TUTS pre-professional training company, as well as collegiate apprenticeships. A champion for access and belonging, Peete has collaborated with Disney Theatrical Group, The Broadway League, NAMT, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and more. She holds degrees from Millikin University and DePaul University. (9/5/25)

Stephanie Turner, BS 1997 COE (Physical Education), Women’s Tennis, former Athletics Advisory Council
Chicago Agent magazine recently named Stephanie Turner to its 2025 Who’s Who list. (9/3/25)

Ashleigh J. Goddard, BS 2014 COE (Physical Education), Women’s Soccer
Stevenage FCW (UK) are delighted to announce the signing of attacking midfielder, Ashleigh Goddard who joins from QPR. Goddard joins Stevenage after a season with FAWNL side, QPR. Goddard brings with her a wealth of experience having come through the youth ranks at Arsenal and spending a decade with the Gunners from the age of eight; before spending time at DePaul University in Chicago, Reading, London Bees, FC Nordsjaelland, Apollon FC, Crystal Palace, AFC Wimbledon and QPR. Goddard also represented England at under 17 level. (7/2/25)