Christi Mathis

As an international faculty member, Cinzia Padovani, an associate professor in radio, television and digital media, said it can be a challenge to adapt to life in a new place, but she loves the beauty of the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus and working with students and her colleagues. She hopes her experience will be helpful for future junior colleagues from overseas.

Nicole Gray and Rebecca Singer, members of the Southern Illinois University Carbondale chapter of the American Marketing Association, placed first at an international marketing project research competition.

Sajal Lahiri, a professor in the College of Business and Analytics, holds the prestigious Vandeveer Endowed Chair in Economics and is a globally renowned scholar.

“Lisa is a ray of sunshine who is always willing to help others,” said Tena Bennett, director of the Student Center. “She is so helpful and glad to answer any questions people may have. She does whatever she can to ensure that everyone who comes in to get an ID card starts off on the right foot at SIU.”

As double alumna of SIU, Stacye Saunders has an affinity for the university and the community.

At 19, Dylan Chambers has already devoted more time and energy to serving the public than many people who are decades older have. The Southern Illinois University Carbondale sophomore can’t imagine living any other way.

FNU Tugiyanto, or “Tugi” as the technical associate for the Office of Information Technology, School of Agricultural Sciences is known, has an amazing work ethic, a good heart, is an expert in his field, and will find a way to fix whatever needs fixing in the quickest way possible without making people feel like they are bothering him to ask for help, according to Katherine Elson, academic adviser for the school.