Bylaws | Structure | BOD Standing Committees | BOD Shared Commitments 2021
Welcome to the webpage for the UCIMC Board of Directors! The Board has the honor and privilege of being elected by the general membership of the UCIMC.
2025 Board of Directors
Gus Wood - IMC Board President He/Him Gus is an Assistant Professor in the Labor Education Program at the University of Illinois. He is a former two-term president of the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO) and currently hosts Radio Free Labor on WEFT Community Radio. |
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David Cisneros (first name Josue) - IMC Board Secretary He/They David Cisneros has lived in Urbana-Champaign for ten years. He is an educator, writer, researcher, and organizer. He teaches classes on rhetoric, public advocacy, and social movements at the University of Illinois. David has published research on immigrant justice, border abolition, and Latinx movements. Passionate about media, communication, and social change at the IMC, he is also involved with supporting labor organizing, immigrant justice work, and political education around abolitionism. David is also a Star Trek nerd, a cat lover, a novice gardener, and writes bad poetry. |
Don Owen - IMC Board Treasurer He/Him Dr. Donald Owen has spent the last 30 years as an educator and leader in Urbana School District #116. He earned his BA In Psychology and Social Studies Education from Carleton College and an MA in history from Illinois State University. He completed his MEd and EdD in Educational Organization and Leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During his tenure as a district administrator, Dr. Owen is most proud of the work he led to reduce disparities around issues of race. During his tenure as Superintendent, the graduation rates for White and Black students were within one percentage point of each other - essentially erasing the graduation gap between Black and White students. The work he led in the district earned Urbana High School the status of one of 20 high schools in the country to be named a School of Opportunity in 2016. In 2017, he was selected by his peers as the “Superintendent of Distinction” for the Illini Region in the Illinois Association of School Administrators. His leadership focuses on educational excellence through equity, engagement, and student voice. Dr. Owen is continuing to devote his energy to advocating for students and families of the Urbana-Champaign area. He currently serves as the Founder and CEO of Lead for Equity and Engagement LLC. In that role, Don works with organizations, individuals, and schools to provide training, racial equity audits, and leadership training. |
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Terri Ciofalo - IMC Board Member She/Her/They Terri is the Director of Production at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and the Co-Director of Level 21, the design/tech/management area of Illinois Theater. She is a member of the stage management faculty and teaches arts management and production management. She’s currently serving as Dean’s Fellow for Live Arts Audience Engagement for the College of Fine and Applied Arts at UIUC. Member Actor’s Equity Association, the union for professional actors and stage managers. |
Jake Fava - IMC Board Member He/Him Jake Fava is a User Experience Researcher/Designer at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He’s also a musician in several local bands including Booth Blues. |
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Frank DiNovo - IMC Board Member
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Darya Shahgheibi - IMC Board Member She/They Darya Shahgheibi (she/her or they/them) is a passionate and long-standing advocate for health equity, housing equality, community healing, transformative justice, social change, and LGBTQIA2S+ rights. They have experience working in nonprofit management and administration, community organizing, advocacy, and fundraising. Currently, Darya is employed as the Executive Director for the Greater Community AIDS Project of East Central Illinois where she works to provide those living with or at risk of HIV with access to transitional housing assistance, emergency financial assistance, case management, and other supportive services. Darya's prior employment includes roles such as HIV Case Manager/Counselor, Programming Director, Research Coordinator, and Family Advocate. When not working, Darya enjoys spending time with her kiddo, painting murals, feeding ducks, and exploring nature. |
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Chelsea Birchmier - IMC Board Member She/Her Chelsea Birchmier is a graduate student and worker researching social movements in the Psychology department at UIUC. She is an organizer working with the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) and Champaign County Bailout Coalition and is involved in struggles for ceasefire and liberation in Palestine. |
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Marisa Hicks-Alcaraz - IMC Board Member She/They Marisa Hicks-Alcaraz grew up in between Los Angeles and the California Bay Area. She is an educator, writer, researcher, and curator. As a cofounder of the IXeM Memory Collective, they develop anticolonial research methods with artists, archivists, and cultural organizations to enhance digital preservation access for at-risk audiovisual media. She has taught classes on Latinx and Middle Eastern cinemas, as well as on media studies and community-engaged research and archiving. Marisa also enjoys playing the banjo, dancing tango, and ice skating. |
Marco Price - IMC Board Member He/Him Marco Price was born on 4/21/1978 in Kankakee Illinois. Marco is dedicated to upholding dignity and equal rights for all, which is reflected in the numerous organizations he served, from the African American Alliance at Blackburn College where he graduated with a BA in History Education and a minor in Sociology and continuing his education at Universal Ministries School of Theology for his MA in Family and Child Counseling. Marco is a member of the Second Baptist Church in Kankakee and the Church of the Living God in Champaign Illinois. In 2023, he further deepened his impact by taking on leadership roles including the Director of Client Services with CU at Home and U.C.C.O Board Secretary as well as being recognized as the 2023 James R Burgess Jr- Susan M Freiburg Humanitarian Award. Marco's journey in uplifting lives has taken him through various roles, each leaving an indelible mark. From providing interventions and navigating the justice system as a Life Coach Re-entry Specialist to ensuring the safety and well-being of clients as an Overnight Case Manager, he has worn many hats, always keeping the needs of others |
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Mica Light - IMC Board Member She/Her I am a current board member at UCIMC in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, with a deep passion for artistic development. Born in Decatur, IL, to S.L. and Verlean Light, I am the fourth of five children from their union. From an early age, I expressed a desire to explore new horizons, which my parents supported, leading to my move to Jackson, Tennessee, in 1996. My career in Tennessee was marked by various roles in service to others. I served as a Case Manager through AmeriCorps at The Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse and later worked as a counselor for JACOA, assisting clients battling addiction. Additionally, I pursued a career in nursing, working in the Cardiac and Pulmonary Unit for five years. In 2006, I relocated my family to Houston, TX, where I managed a shelter for the homeless. After two years, we returned to Illinois, as my children preferred the familiarity of a smaller town environment. Back in Illinois, I embarked on a robust career in direct service, contributing to over 17 agencies in Champaign County. Through my 17-plus years here, I have cultivated a strong work ethic and built lasting relationships with clients, providers, and educators. Known for my resourcefulness and ability to connect individuals to necessary services, I have consistently supported clients dealing with sexual abuse and trauma, drawing on my personal experiences. Despite being diagnosed with congestive heart failure over a decade ago, I pursued higher education at Parkland College, earning a degree in Special Education, and later attended Millikin University in Decatur, IL, where I achieved academic honors, including the Dean’s List. My educational journey was focused on special education and bilingual studies, leading to teaching roles in both Decatur and Champaign County. I also received my minister’s license from the Universal Life Church and am an ordained minister. Currently, I am a Notary Signing Agent providing notary services, a process server, a member of the Women’s Junior League of C-U, a panel member of the DCFS Bias Free Removal Board, and the owner of three businesses, including the Light’s Authentic Inc., U.C.C.O. Inc., and U.C.C.O. Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the homeless population in Champaign County. Despite health challenges, I remain committed to helping others, leveraging my experiences as a teenage mother, single parent, adult college student, and business owner. I have been published in “Bold Journey” magazine twice now along with having my story published in the “Rebel Magazine” as well. My current endeavors include contracting with the Champaign County Township Office, where I provide case management services to the homeless through the Buddies program. Additionally, I work with Old Kings Orchard in Macon County as an Outreach Worker and Mentor for local schools. I also host a radio show, “Afternoons with DLight,” on UCIMC’s WRFU, which brings me immense joy. Through these roles, I continue to make meaningful contributions to my community, blending my passion for service with my commitment to artistic and personal development. |
Katye Newhouse - IMC Board Member They/Them Katye is the director of Prism Studios and long-time Champaign-Urbana resident. |
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Rachel Storm - IMC Board Member Dr. Rachel Lauren Storm has worked in advocacy, indy media, social justice, and the arts for over 15 years. Her experience spans nonprofits, higher education, and municipal agencies. Rachel has worked on a variety of collaborative initiatives designed to increase accessibility in arts and cultural sectors--including disability, cultural, and language accessibility projects. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of Community Engagement and Learning at Krannert Art Museum overseeing school partnerships, educational initiatives, and public programming for the museum. She spearheads partnership development at the museum, working with campus units, schools, nonprofits, and community groups. Her approach to situates art as a tool for social engagement, uplift, and connection. She has formerly served 6 years on the UCIMC board, hosted a show on WRFU 104.5 for approximately 5 years, published in the Public i, collaborated with UCIMC working groups, exhibited in the UCIMC gallery, hosted numerous events in the UCIMC, served on planning committees for conferences held at the UMCIMC, and chaired the UCIMC’s programming committee. She obtained her PhD. in Educational Policy, Organization, and Leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
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D. Ava Briley - IMC Board Member D. Ava Briley is an associate professor and associate head for diversity and inclusion in the Department of Psychology at UIUC. Their research focuses on personality and identity development from a bioecological point of view. Ava also acts as a community facilitator for local support groups. In downtime, Ava enjoys spending time in nature, anything space-related, and hanging out with their dogs, cats, and kid. |
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Charles Simpson - IMC Board Member Charles (Chuck) Simpson was born and raised in Champaign and has worked for Champaign Urbana Mass Transit District for the past 25+ years following a brief career in the Air Force. He currently serves as a driver, dispatcher, and trainer for new drivers. Chuck is a former member of the boards for CU @ Home and Real Life Families, has a show on UPTV, and serves as a broadcaster for WRFU. He is married to his wife, Patricia, and has two children, Abigail and Lucas, as well as two grandsons, EJ and Everett, whom he adores. |
Sara Wheatcroft - IMC Board Member
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Camille Cob - IMC Board Member
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Are you interested in joining the IMC's Board of Directors?
Board meetings are open to all members who wish to attend and are on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. hybrid (via Zoom & Makerspace). Public input is at the beginning of the meeting. If you are interested in attending, please contact <tech at ucimc dot org> or [email protected] or 217-344-8820.
If you would like to contact the Board, please email the President at [email protected].
You can also join the board! The General Membership Meeting is in the Fall and you can apply to be on the ballot (PDF Version | Google Doc). The IMC members elect the board, and you must be a current member of the IMC to run to be on the board.
Any member can join a committee and you don't need to be a board member. The IMC Board has six standing committees -- Programming, Facilities, Finance, Personnel, Tech, and Fundraising. These committees support the core infrastructure of the IMC. If you are interested in joining a committee, but not sure where you'd fit in best, you can read more about our standing committees and what they do.