Admission

Andrew Sison
Dean of Admission
sisonan@lewisu.edu

Born in the Philippines, Andrew grew up as the seventh of eight children in Los Angeles, California, where he earned a B.S. in Chemistry at Loyola Marymount University and an M.A. in Higher Education and Organizational Change from UCLA. Over his 15 year college admission career, he has worked at Loyola Marymount University, Mount St. Mary’s College (both in Los Angeles), Saint Mary’s College of California (a Lasallian institution), and most recently at Elmhurst College before being appointed Dean of Admission at Lewis University in October 2005. He is also chair of the Chicago National College Fair, which annually takes place in October at Navy Pier. Andrew resides in Oak Park and enjoys playing alto saxophone, being a great uncle, and singing tenor for his local parish choir.

Ryan Cockerill
Director of Freshman Admission
cockerry@lewisu.edu

Ryan graduated with a B.S. in Speech Communication from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and also earned an M.S. in Communication Studies from Northern Illinois University. He has been involved in college/university admission for the past eleven years; he has been with Lewis for the past five years. Ryan is originally from the Quad-Cities and is a transplanted suburbanite. In his free time, he enjoys watching independent films, playing the drums, and “hanging out” with his son, Quinlan.

Julie Nelson
Director of Transfer Admission
nelsonju@lewisu.edu

As a fourteen year veteran of college admissions, Julie is thrilled to be part of the Lewis staff. She was most recently the Associate Director of Admissions at Bradley University, and recruited students from the Chicago area as a regional representative. Prior to that, Julie worked for Loras College in Dubuque, IA and for MacCormac College in Chicago. Julie received her BA in Journalism and Public Address from Loras, and is proud to say she spent 12 years in Catholic education. Currently, Julie serves as Past President of the Illinois Association for College Admissions Counseling, and has served that organization in a variety of other roles. When she’s not helping students find their futures, she can be found performing in community theatre productions, singing in her church choir or reading Entertainment Weekly. Julie lives in Batavia with her husband Chris and amazing son Andrew.

Sheree Stilwell
Associate Director of Admission – Operations
stilwesh@lewisu.edu

Sheree has been employed with Lewis University since 1993. She previously worked as the Accounts Payable Coordinator in the Business Office, as a Freshman Admission Counselor, and currently as the Associate Director of Admission-Operation. While employed at Lewis, Sheree earned her B.A. in Business Administration and her M.A. in Leadership Studies with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior. She loves to travel, read and spend time with family and friends. Sheree is also a life long resident of the area, residing in Shorewood with husband Bob. Sons, Kyle and Chad both attended Lewis. Kyle received his B.A. in 2003 & M.A. in 2006.

Frank DuBois
Assistant Director of Aviation Admission
duboisfr@lewisu.edu

Frank was previously a Guidance Counselor at Homewood-Flossmoor H.S. He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with a B.S. in English Education. He also has an M.A. from Northeastern Illinois University in Guidance and Counseling, an M.S. from Chicago State University in Diagnosis in Reading, and completed the College Counseling Workshop at Harvard University. Frank is also the Nike Leadership Director for High School programs, and he works with students on higher education opportunities and requirements. He is also very active as a Leadership Director for NIKE where he educates and counsels high school age athletes on higher education opportunities and requirements. Frank lives in New Lenox with his wife and daughter (Who is now away at college).

Megan Kuhn
Freshman Admission Counselor
kuhnme@lewisu.edu

Megan graduated from Lewis University in 2006 with a B.S. in Marketing and is currently working toward her Masters in School Counseling and Guidance. As an undergraduate student she was involved with the American Marketing Association, the National Society for Collegiate Scholars, and the Navigators. Before joining the Office of Admission, Megan was a graduate assistant for the Office of Graduate and Adult Admission and is excited to continue working for her alma mater! In her spare time, Megan enjoys biking, playing tennis, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Kerry Meunier
Transfer Admission Counselor – Nursing
meunieke@lewisu.edu

Kerry is a graduate of Quincy University earning a BA in Communications. This is her first year with the Lewis University Office of Admission, but has 13 years of admission experience. In her free time she enjoys visiting family and friends and going to the beach with her husband and kids.

Katie Moran
Transfer Counselor
moranka@lewisu.edu

Katie is a 2002 graduate of Illinois State University where she earned her B.S. in Speech Communication. She is also a 2007 graduate of Lewis University where she earned an M.A. in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Training and Development. This is her third year as a Lewis University transfer counselor. In her free time, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, hanging out with friends and traveling to her hometown of Peoria to visit her family.

Dave Shafron
Assistant Director of Freshman Admission shafroda@lewisu.edu

Dave comes to Lewis University after four years of undergraduate admission experience with North Central College. He graduated from North Central in 2003 with a degree in Physical Education and at Lewis, he plans to enroll in the Master's in School Counseling and Guidance program.

In his professional experience, Dave has worked with incoming freshman, coordinated the student tour guide program and helped coordinate campus service trips. He is an active member of the Illinois Association of College Admission Counseling and a dedicated endurance athlete. He has run in both the Chicago and Boston Marathons, competed in triathlon events and has climbed the stairs of some the country's tallest buildings in both a competitive and fundraising effort. He is very excited to begin work at Lewis University and looks forward to working with students and families through the enrollment process.

Roberto Suarez
Assistant Director of Admission-International
suarezro@lewisu.edu

Roberto graduated from Lewis University in May 2002 with a major in Political Science and a minor in Psychology. As a student, he participated with the Student Governing Board, LASO, Peer Ministry, Best Buddies, and Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. Roberto has worked at several businesses since 2001. He interned for Kurth Lampe, a public relations firm in Chicago that works with political and charitable organizations as well as international associations. Before coming to the Office of Admission Roberto worked at Tobin Petkus & Munoz Law Firm as a paralegal. He has recently completed an MBA in 2006 and is currently enrolled in the M.A. in School Counseling and Guidance program and hopes to complete his degree in 2009. Roberto’s dream is to work as school counselor after he graduates and one day pursue a doctorate degree in educational leadership and move towards becoming a college professor. His interests include education, international relations, business, law, politics, religion and, most importantly, making a difference locally and globally.

Justin Thomas
Freshman Admission Counselor
thomasju@lewisu.edu

New to the staff, Justin Thomas is a recent graduate of Lewis. Now in grad school studying Corporate Management, Justin received his Bachelors of Arts in Radio/Television Broadcasting. As an undergrad he was a student employee for admissions for three years before becoming General Manger of WLRA his senior year. Socially active, Justin participated in intramurals as a referee and Koinia as a Core Team Leader. Other involvements include working as a Peer Minister, Orientation Group Leader, and Production Manager in the Radio Broadcasting program. He also has represented Lewis at the Joliet Chamber of Commerce as well as at J.A.C.O.B. functions and served as chairman of the Media Advisory Board. A member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Justin brings overwhelming enthusiasm and extensive communication experience. He is excited to be apart of the Admission staff and looks forward to building relationships with prospective students and their families.

Sarah Vance
Freshman Admission Counselor
vancesa@lewisu.edu

Sarah is a 2004 graduate of Valparaiso University where she received her B.A. in church music and spent three years working as an Ambassador in Admission. She also earned a Master of Arts Management degree from Columbia College Chicago in 2007. She has worked as a volunteer for the Valparaiso Admission Network and as a substitute high school music teacher in Northwest Indiana. She is very excited to start her career in collegiate admissions at Lewis University.

Sarah is a lover of the arts. She has played the piano since she was four years old and frequently sings at church. In her free time she enjoys going to plays, watching television, reading historical fiction, and spending time with her fiancé, Chris, in their new apartment in Orland Park.