College of Applied Science and Technology

Elisha Reichling ’16

Elisha is a dynamic registered dietitian nutritionist with a strong background in non-profit program management. She earned her master's in clinical nutrition from Rush University in 2018 and bachelor's in family and consumer science with an emphasis in food, nutrition, and dietetics from Illinois State University in 2016. Elisha currently serves as the research grant program manager for the Good Food Institute, a nonprofit think tank working to improve the global food system by advancing alternative proteins to help meet global health, food security, climate, and biodiversity goals. Before joining GFI, she managed the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation’s scholarship, award, research grant, and disaster relief programs.

Elisha is experienced in improving program efficiency, impact, and visibility by leading process improvement efforts to align with best-practice guidelines, enhance inclusivity and fairness, and celebrate recipient success. She is particularly passionate about accelerating public health through strategic funding initiatives. 

Makiah Watson ’22, M.S. ’23

Makiah holds both a bachelor's and master's in human development and family science from the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. Since graduating, her work has centered on case management, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement for rising high school seniors, ensuring 1:1 support in post-high school planning through her role at Urban Alliance. She also serves as events and programming chair on the Urban Alliance Alumni Advisory Board, as she is an alumnus of the workforce development program. Makiah also serves as a public speaker, facilitating holistic youth development success in education and career.

During her time at ISU, Makiah was a trailblazer and advocate for first-generation students, serving as an intern, graduate assistant, and later a full-time academic advisor for TRIO Student Support Services. She developed, hosted, and produced ISU’s inaugural First-Generation Podcast, a 25-episode campus-wide initiative.

Makiah was the first recipient of the FCS Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusivity Award in 2022 and received the 2022 Future Alumni Leader Award, honoring her commitment to inclusion, student success, and leadership.

Andrea Franke ’14 ‘19

Andrea earned two bachelor’s degrees from Illinois State University in nutrition and community health promotion, with a minor in health coaching. While at ISU, she participated in campus programs including Gamma Phi Circus, SWAT, SERC, and Eta Sigma Gamma. Andrea completed internships at St. Joe’s Hospital in the nutrition office, District 87 supporting wellness initiatives, and the Health Promotion and Wellness office on campus, where she helped lead presentations and classes.

She began her career as an onsite coordinator for a large automotive company, conducting biometric screenings and reviewing results with employees. She now works as a senior account manager at Marquee Health, where she collaborates with client stakeholders to design effective health programs. Andrea strategizes program structure, communication, and evaluation to drive participant engagement, encourage lasting behavior change, and improve overall health outcomes.

David McDermott ’93

David is a 1993 environmental health science graduate from Illinois State University with extensive experience in environmental health and safety, specializing in EPA permitting, industrial hygiene, and water treatment for industrial and institutional clients. He currently serves as senior account manager at ChemTreat, Inc., a specialty chemical manufacturer for industrial water treatment.

Throughout his career, David has been committed to enhancing environmental safety standards and implementing innovative solutions for complex environmental challenges. His expertise has been instrumental in reducing industrial pollution and ensuring compliance with stringent environmental regulations.

David's dedication to his field is matched by his passion for community service. His past community and educational roles include American Industrial Hygiene president, local Rotary Board member, local school board member and tennis coach, emergency management committee member, financial committee member, and adjunct lecturer for the environmental health major at ISU. All three of his children have attended ISU, two have graduated, and the third is a junior.

Jaclyn Skaer ’06

Jaclyn graduated from Illinois State in 2006 with a degree in clinical laboratory science, carrying with her the lessons, friendships, and confidence that would shape her career and life.

Today, she serves as laboratory director at BJC HealthCare’s Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, leading a talented team and complex laboratory operations with a focus on excellence and innovation. Known for her strong operational expertise and laboratory business background, she is passionate about building systems that support both exceptional patient care and the people who make it possible. Beyond the hospital walls, she gives her time to her church and children’s school, finding joy in helping others grow and succeed. Her greatest pride is her family—her husband, Andy, and their children, Gwyneth and Drew—who keep her grounded, laughing, and inspired. 

Kristine Sommerfield ’93

Kris earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University’s Health Information Management (HIM) program in 1993. She began her career at OSF HealthCare in Rockford as supervisor of HIM and later served as manager of HIM in Belvidere, Illinois. After starting a family, Kris spent approximately 20 years as an outpatient coder, handling all outpatient and emergency room visits. Six years ago, she transitioned to OSF’s Ministry Coding department, which serves all seventeen facilities, and assumed the role of manager of outpatient coding. Kris celebrated her 32nd year with OSF this past June.

Surekha Methuku ’12

Surekha has served with distinction in several software development positions at State Farm over the past 13+ years and is currently a lead software engineer.

During her time as a graduate student in the School of Information Technology, Surekha was an exceptional student, receiving the Outstanding Graduate Student Award in 2012. She was the winner of the first Mobile Application Development (MAD) Contest, sponsored by State Farm in 2012. The MAD Contest has since become an annual event in the School of IT, and Surekha has returned on many occasions to mentor students competing in the contest.

Drew Henneberg ’10

Drew is a physical therapist and clinic manager at Advanced Rehab and Sports Medicine Services in Bloomington.  As a therapist, he works with a wide range of patient age groups daily, treating orthopedic and neurologic conditions. Drew’s clinical interest includes hip and knee rehabilitation and treatment of the overhead athlete. He also specializes in return to sport rehabilitation for a variety of athletes at the youth, collegiate, and professional levels.

Drew received his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Illinois State University in 2010 and Doctor of Physical Therapy from Governors State University in 2013. He currently lives in Bloomington with his wife, Jenny, and their three children, Charleigh, Andie, and Declan.

Andrea Kovalsky ’19

Andrea is a doctoral student in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut, conducting research in athletic training leadership. She began her athletic training studies with a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from Northern Illinois University, and continued her education at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, to earn her teaching license in health and physical education. She completed her master's in kinesiology and recreation: athletic training at Illinois State University in 2019, where she served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer and clinical preceptor at Normal Community High School. Her master’s research focused on secondary school athletic training student aides. Andrea earned a Doctorate of Athletic Training degree from Florida International University in December 2024, investigating characteristics of women in athletic training leadership during her capstone experience. She has held positions in state, district, and national athletic training professional associations, and is passionate about servant leadership.

Becky Oaks ’02

Becky earned a bachelor's in print management from Illinois State University in 2002 and began her career as an intern at Original Smith Printing, part of Taylor Corporation. Over the course of her 25 years at Taylor, she advanced through leadership roles in customer service, sales, operations, and account management. In 2019, she became vice president of account management for Taylor Print & Visual Impressions, leading teams that supported Fortune 50 clients. In 2022, she was named president of Taylor Print Impressions, overseeing four production facilities nationwide focused on commercial print, packaging, and direct mail. She currently serves on the board of directors for Printing Industry Midwest and was recently featured as the keynote speaker at their annual Women In Print luncheon. Becky has deep printing industry expertise, a hands-on understanding of the business, and a commitment to authentic leadership and positive culture.

Philip Tschammer ’17

After originally pursuing a degree in audio engineering after high school, Philip left college and became a teacher’s assistant at Schaumburg High School as part of their applied technology department. During this time, Philip recognized his passion for teaching hands-on skills and returned to finish his bachelor’s degree at Illinois State University to earn his teaching credentials.

After graduating, Philip was hired at Buffalo Grove High School and has taught media technology, graphic arts, engineering, and manufacturing courses. Philip was also part of the design team in expanding and updating the school’s automation and manufacturing lab. Students in engineering and manufacturing courses have achieved significant success, shown by the increasing enrollment in the dual credit program and the growing number of students accepted into apprenticeship programs with local manufacturing companies. Outside of the classroom, he has been a sponsor for the school’s Robotics Club, Engineering Club, and spent five years as the theater technical director.