Joseph Abiera
Faculty since 2007 – Adjunct
Education: M/Ed., Education, American Intercontinental University, Hoffman Estates, IL B.S., Graphic Design, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Professional Background: Project Designer/Production Artist, Affinity Express, Elgin, IL ; Variable Data Production/Designer, RT Associates, Arlington Heights, IL; Manager of Design and Composition, Lehigh Colotronics, Elk Grove Village, IL; Art Director/Graphic Designer/ Production Artist, Hult Fritz Matuszak & Simantel Group, Peoria, IL
Pati Akerman, Academic Director ? Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing & Management
Faculty since 2007 – Full-time
Education: M.E.D. Adult, Continuing, and Literacy Education in Developmental Studies, National-Louis University, Chicago, IL; B.B.A. Marketing, University of Texas, Austin, TX
Professional Background: Student Advisor, Westwood College, Woodridge, IL; Adjunct Instructor, Westwood College, Woodridge, IL; Merchandising and Planning Director, Oilily USA, River Forest, IL; Merchandise Manager/Barrie Pace Catalog, Hartmax Corporation, Chicago, IL
John Becker, Ph.D., Professor
Faculty since 1991 – Full-time
Education: Ph.D. International Marketing, Union Institute, Cincinnati, OH; M.B.A. International Business & Marketing, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Professional Background: Dean of Academic Affairs, The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago, Chicago, IL, Dean of Academic Affairs, The Illinois Institute of Art - Schaumburg, Schaumburg, IL; Instructor, Roosevelt University, Schaumburg, IL
Stella Estrella
Faculty since 2007 – Adjunct
Education: M.B.A./M.G.M., Global Management, University of Phoenix, Schaumburg, IL; B.A. Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandise, Dominican University, River Forest, IL
Professional Background: Admissions Representative/ Adjunct Instructor, International Academy of Design and Technology, Schaumburg, IL; Sales Specialist, Payless Shoe Source Franklin Park, IL; Floor Salesperson, Ann Taylor, Schaumburg, IL; Sales Specialist, Victoria’s Secrets Oakbrook, IL; Promotional Director, Jenny Craig Schaumburg,
IL; Scheduler, Lifestyle Lift; Public Relations Executive, Vois Beaute
Michelle Garrelts, Assistant Professor
Faculty since 2001 – Full-time
Education: M.A.Ed, Educational Leadership, Argosy University, Schaumburg, IL; B.F.A., Multimedia Communications, The Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg
Professional Background: Web Designer, Comark, Bloomingdale, IL; Web Designer/Project Manager, Active Web Services, Aurora, IL; Web Designer/Owner, MickeyLiz Designs, Lindenwood, IL
Elisa Hillock
Faculty since 2006 – Part-time
Education: M.F.A., Graphic Design, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL; B.S., Medical Illustration, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
Professional Background: Graphic Designer, Association for Corporate Growth, Willowbrook, IL; Graphic Designer, Lutheran General Hospital, Des Plaines, IL
Nupur Jain
Faculty since 2006 – Adjunct
Education: B.A., English Literature, Hindu College; B.A., Fashion Design, South Delhi Polytech; MFA, Fashion Design, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Professional Background: Freelance CAD Designer, Sears Holdings, Hoffman Estates, IL; Stylist, Design Craft; Glenview , IL; Senior CAD Designer, Haggar Clothing Company, Dallas TX; Teaching Assistant, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH; Designer/Product Development Manager, Export House, New Delhi, India
Shannon Johnson
Faculty since 2006 – Adjunct
Education: M.S., Fashion Merchandising & Interior Design, Illinois State University, Bloomington, IL; B.F.A., Fashion Design, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Professional Background: Instructor, IADT, Schaumburg & Chicago, IL; College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL; Interior Designer, Marshall Field & Co, Schaumburg, IL; Kitchen & Bath Design, The Great Indoors, Schaumburg, IL
Mark A. Stephens
Faculty since 2007 - Adjunct
Education: M.B.A., Concentration in Strategy, Marketing and Organizational Development, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL; B.S., Electrical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Background: Strategy Project Leader, Komatsu America Corp., Rolling Meadows, IL; Adjunct Professor, National Louis University, Lisle, IL; Operations Group Leader, Target Regional Distribution Center, DeKalb, IL; Store Leadership Program Manager, Home Depot, Inc., Arlington Heights, IL; President/Co-Founder, Savvy Enterprises, Inc., Chicago, IL; Program Manager, Hewlett Packard/Agilent Technologies, Schaumburg, IL; Digital Systems Consultant, Hewlett Packard, Elk Grove, IL; R&D Project Manager, TKJ Designs Engineering, Northbrook, IL
Certifications: PMP, Project Management Institute, Chicago, IL
Tammy Tavassoli
Faculty since 2007 – Part-time
Education: M.B.A., Marketing, American InterContinental University Online, Hoffman Estates, IL; B.S., Textiles and Apparel Design, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
Background: Store Manager, Chico’s; Customer Service Manager, Old Navy; Store Manager/Regional Trainer, Arden B.; Store Manger/Trainer, Victoria’s Secret; Store Manager, A Pea in the Pod
Carol Zack
Faculty since 2007 – Adjunct
Education: M.A., Arts Education, University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana, IL; B.A., Arts Education, Vanderbilt University/George Peabody College for Teachers, Nashville,TN
Professional Background: Artist – painter specializing in oil pastel, Fine Line Creative Arts Center, St. Charles, IL; Staff Editor & Writer, Creator of the Artist of the Month articles, Oil Pastel Society Newsletter; Faculty, DuPage Art League; Visual Merchandiser and Corporate Training Consultant, Sears University & Sears, Roebuck and Company, Hoffman
Estates, IL; Art Instructor and Director of Art Education extension classes, Ball State University, Muncie, IN; Art Instructor, University of Illinois Summer Arts Program, Monticello, IL; Art Instructor, Rantoul TWP High School, Rantoul, IL
Awards/Memberships: Chicago Artist’s Coalition, member; Fine Line Creative Arts Center, member; Oil Pastel Society, staff member and regular contributor; DuPage Art League, member; Naperville Art League, member; Judge/Board member – Scholastic Art Awards