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
Sophia Sanchez
ACE Advisor/Counselor
Sophia is a first-generation college graduate from Saint Mary's College in South Bend, IN. She earned her bachelor's degree in Sociology and Gender & Women's Studies.
Sophia received her master's degree in Women's Studies and Gender Studies from Loyola University Chicago.
While attending a predominantly white serving, Catholic, all-women's institution, Sophia found her passion for helping underrepresented and minoritized students. She spent her time in undergrad advocating for LGBTQ+ rights on campus and worked for several local LGBTQ+ organizations.
During her master's program Sophia worked closely with first-generation Chicago Public Schools high school seniors to help get them into college with a program called Speak Up Democracy. In addition, she also served as a master's mentor for the ACE program for two years. She credits ACE for connecting her with wonderful students and giving her the opportunity to serve students.
Sophia values social justice and LGBTQ+ advocacy. She hopes to help create an environment of inclusivity and foster positive change toward equitable education. In her free time Sophia spends time with her partner and her doggy at the beach. She loves talking with her family and listening to music on vinyl.
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.
Sophia received her master's degree in Women's Studies and Gender Studies from Loyola University Chicago.
While attending a predominantly white serving, Catholic, all-women's institution, Sophia found her passion for helping underrepresented and minoritized students. She spent her time in undergrad advocating for LGBTQ+ rights on campus and worked for several local LGBTQ+ organizations.
During her master's program Sophia worked closely with first-generation Chicago Public Schools high school seniors to help get them into college with a program called Speak Up Democracy. In addition, she also served as a master's mentor for the ACE program for two years. She credits ACE for connecting her with wonderful students and giving her the opportunity to serve students.
Sophia values social justice and LGBTQ+ advocacy. She hopes to help create an environment of inclusivity and foster positive change toward equitable education. In her free time Sophia spends time with her partner and her doggy at the beach. She loves talking with her family and listening to music on vinyl.