(WBBM NEWSRADIO) --- As parents prepare to navigate the complicated world of higher education, the WBBM Noon Business Hour hosted its Education Week.
Higher education professionals, experts and consultants were special guests to talk about the financial aid process, how to negotiate tuition, and how to stand out in the college application process.
This page will be updated with interviews as Education Week carries on, and they can be found in their entirety below. The special coverage was sponsored by Saint Xavier University.
MONDAY, MAY 15
Tim Killeen
President of University of Illinois System Urbana–Champaign
Timothy L. Killeen is the 20th president of the University of Illinois System, with universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield. He took office in May 2015, and received a new contract in 2020 that will extend his term through June 2024.
How to Standout in the Application Process
Deb Donley
Independent Educational Consultant
An independent educational consultant, Deb Donley worked as a postsecondary counselor for 26 years at New Trier Township High School, helping students through the college investigation, application, and decision-making processes. Prior to that, she worked for eleven years at a variety of Midwestern schools in college admission and student services offices. She also taught college counseling to school counselors through a nonprofit organization for fifteen years. DebDonleyCollegeCounseling.com
TUESDAY, MAY 16
Financial Aid
Sue Swisher
Executive Director of Financial Aid of Saint Xavier University
Sue Swisher has been in the financial aid industry for over 35 years and has served as executive director of Financial Aid at Saint Xavier University for over 25 years. Throughout her professional career, she has been active at the state, regional and national level.
College Trips/Family Affair
Cindy Richards
Editor in Chief of SheBuysTravel dot.com
Cindy Richards is an award-winning Chicago journalist who serves as the Editor-in-Chief of SheBuysTravel.com, the go-to site for all the ways women travel -- with family, girlfriends, significant others and solo. Previously, she has been a reporter, editor and/or columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune, an editor at Chicago Parent and Catalyst Chicago and an instructor in the graduate school at Northwestern's prestigious Medill School of Journalism.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17
Jeannette (Jann) Lacoss
Associate Director of Admissions at California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
Jann is an educator at heart. She started her professional career teaching Russian language, literature, and folklore at university level and thereafter leapt into college admissions. She was the first in her family to earn a college degree, and she is passionate about college access first-generation and low income students. She has been in admissions at Caltech for 15+ years.
Marc Horner
Wealth Advisor at Fairhaven Wealth Management
Marc founded Fairhaven Wealth Management in 2015. Prior to that, he was a financial advisor with the wealth management divisions of both Merrill Lynch and UBS for a total of 14 years.
THURSDAY, MAY 18
Mark Potter
Provost and Chief Academic Officer at City Colleges of Chicago
Dr. Mark Potter is Provost and Chief Academic Officer at City Colleges of Chicago. In service to the seven City Colleges (Truman, Wilbur Wright, Malcolm X, Harold Washington, Kennedy-King, Olive-Harvey, and Richard J Daley), he leads efforts to advance student success and quality academic experiences in both credit programs and adult education. Dr. Potter began his career as a history professor at the University of Wyoming, and prior to his current position he was Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver. He has a successful record of leading teams to research, design, and implement innovative programs for engaged learning, student success, and retention.
U.S. News & World Report: Top US law, medical schools
FRIDAY, MAY 19
Micki Kidder
Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment
Micki Kidder serves as the Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment. In this role, she leads the Enrollment team in building and deepening relationships with prospective students and enrolling and supporting scholars who value a Catholic-centered education. The division is home to several units that support students from the beginning of their college search to final year on campus — including the Offices of Pre-College Programs, Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and Student Shared Services.