Meet the ACE Staff
ACE Staff
Dr. Michele Everett
ACE Project Director
Michele received her Ph.D. in Education from the University of Tasmania, Australia. The areas of concentration for her undergraduate and graduate degrees were environmental, science, and arts education.
The focus of her current research is student well-being, engagement, and success. Her scholarship documents a strong commitment to improving learning experiences and outcomes for all students.
Michele’s professional experience focuses on student success and retention in higher education. Her prior work experience includes coordinating the First-Year Experience and Peer Mentoring programs at Coastal Carolina University. In that role, she developed and assessed programs and mentored students in leadership roles. After returning to Chicago, she supported students on their journey to complete their Health Career degree programs at a suburban community college. She is driven by a strong desire to make a positive difference in students’ lives.
For fun and relaxation, Michele enjoys visiting museums, listening to music, dancing, taking photos of nature, and, most of all, walks along the lake!
ACE Staff
Lisette N. Amón
ACE Assistant Project Director
Lissette is a first-generation college graduate from Loyola University Chicago and earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Theology with a Catholic Studies minor.
Additionally, she is an ACE alumna, and as an undergraduate student, she served as a Peer Mentor, Peer Advisor, and Lead Retreat Leader within the ACE community. Upon graduation, Lissette continued her education at Northwestern University and received a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration and Policy.
Through her experience working with high school students in Chicago Public Schools from 2018 to 2020 with Driven and Empowered Youth, Inc., Lissette gained an interest in education and aided ESL students with tutoring, mentoring, and more. In addition, she found her passion in helping underrepresented and underserved student populations, which she continues to carry out in her work. With this newfound passion, Lissette entered her master's program and focused her master's thesis on first-generation college students and their development of a sense of belonging in hopes of better understanding this student population's needs. Lissette hopes to help create equal learning opportunities, provide resources, and promote policy changes to advance equity in higher education.
Lissette greatly values her free time, and she enjoys things that make her happy, such as exploring the city, going to concerts, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and taking on spontaneous adventures.
ACE Staff
Corey Medina
ACE Advisor
Corey is a First-Generation college student from Chicago, IL. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English, with a focus on Creative Writing from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.
Corey's professional career focuses on developing and supporting programs that aim to keep students in college and help them thrive academically and personally. He believes that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment that fosters their growth.
In his free time, Corey enjoys reading and writing fantasy novels and short stories. He is also an avid sports fan, enjoys watching games, and loves to unwind with video games. Fun fact: Corey once trained to become a professional wrestler.
The focus of her current research is student well-being, engagement, and success. Her scholarship documents a strong commitment to improving learning experiences and outcomes for all students.
Michele’s professional experience focuses on student success and retention in higher education. Her prior work experience includes coordinating the First-Year Experience and Peer Mentoring programs at Coastal Carolina University. In that role, she developed and assessed programs and mentored students in leadership roles. After returning to Chicago, she supported students on their journey to complete their Health Career degree programs at a suburban community college. She is driven by a strong desire to make a positive difference in students’ lives.
For fun and relaxation, Michele enjoys visiting museums, listening to music, dancing, taking photos of nature, and, most of all, walks along the lake!
Additionally, she is an ACE alumna, and as an undergraduate student, she served as a Peer Mentor, Peer Advisor, and Lead Retreat Leader within the ACE community. Upon graduation, Lissette continued her education at Northwestern University and received a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration and Policy.
Through her experience working with high school students in Chicago Public Schools from 2018 to 2020 with Driven and Empowered Youth, Inc., Lissette gained an interest in education and aided ESL students with tutoring, mentoring, and more. In addition, she found her passion in helping underrepresented and underserved student populations, which she continues to carry out in her work. With this newfound passion, Lissette entered her master's program and focused her master's thesis on first-generation college students and their development of a sense of belonging in hopes of better understanding this student population's needs. Lissette hopes to help create equal learning opportunities, provide resources, and promote policy changes to advance equity in higher education.
Lissette greatly values her free time, and she enjoys things that make her happy, such as exploring the city, going to concerts, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and taking on spontaneous adventures.
Corey's professional career focuses on developing and supporting programs that aim to keep students in college and help them thrive academically and personally. He believes that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment that fosters their growth.
In his free time, Corey enjoys reading and writing fantasy novels and short stories. He is also an avid sports fan, enjoys watching games, and loves to unwind with video games. Fun fact: Corey once trained to become a professional wrestler.