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Contact Us
We're happy to connect with you to answer any questions you may have. We can also meet you in-person if you happen to be in town for another event.
Email Us
Preferred method of communication.
Will typically respond within a day.
Our Staff
Aldo Montagner
Program Coordinator, ARISE & Student Success
Illinois Alumnus (B.S. and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering)
Aldo has served ARISE students since Fall 2019 as their Engineering Learning Assistant, Graduate Mentor, and now as the Program Coordinator. Aldo has lead multiple programs with students to Bolivia, Guatemala, and Trinidad & Tobago as part of Global Service Learning, Leadership, and Identity based courses.
Izzy Mata
Graduate Mentor
Illinois Alumnus (B.S. in Aerospace Engineering)
Izzy is a current master's student in Aerospace Engineering. She has supported gender equity for in engineering through the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) Program the past 3 summers. She was a part of two research labs on campus focusing on the design, manufacturing, and testing of polymers and nanomaterials. Currently, she works in Dr. Jeff Baur's lab focusing on in-space composite manufacturing. She is also a Teaching Assistant for ENG 177-Spatial Visualization.
Christina Garcia
Graduate Mentor
Illinois Alumnus (B.S. in Civil Engineering)
Christina is a current master's student in Structural Engineering. During her undergrad, she was involved through the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), undergraduate research focused on tensegrity structures, an MEP ENG 111 Mentor, and ENG 100 ELA. She also completed the Hoeft Technology and Management Business Minor where she had the opportunity for short term study abroad trips to Brazil and South Africa. Additionally, she traveled to Jamaica with the ENG 298 MEP Leadership course.
Ivan Favila
Senior Assistant Dean and Director
Illinois Alumnus (B.S. General Engineering; M.S. Mechanical Engineering)
Dean Favila, in addition to the ARISE program, oversees various student-centered retention and recruitment activities in the College's Undergraduate Programs Office including the Center for Academic Resources in Engineering (CARE) and the Morrill Engineering Program (MEP).
Meet our Student Board
Eric Nieto Gonzalez
Electrical Engineering | 5th-Year
I love watching my plants grow, currently applying to graduate school, and I enjoy hanging out with my friends.
Meredith Benzar
Mechanical Engineering | 2nd-Year
I like to play pickleball, take cycle classes at the ARC, and watch true-crime documentaries.
Grace Cho
Computer Science | 4th-Year
I love performing arts, especially band and musical theater. I also love taking naps.
Jennifer Garcia
Engineering Undeclared | 1st-Year
I enjoy building LEGOs and adding to my collection. I go on runs with friends on the weekends and I am probably the biggest marvel fan ever!
Erick Ayala
Mechanical Engineering | 3rd-Year
I enjoy playing volleyball, soccer, and bowling. When I'm not studying, you can usually find me doing one of these activities.
Andrea Martinez
Engineering Undeclared | 1st-Year
I love playing volleyball, lifting weights, and plushies. I also tend to be very chaotic and energetic.
Aleidy Jimenez
Engineering Undeclared | 2nd-Year
I have two cats, I love food, and I like watching horror movies!
Carlos Salinas
Engineering Undeclared | 1st-Year
I love soccer, chilling with friends, and watching cinematic movies.
Alexis Perez
Mechanical Engineering | 5th-Year
I enjoy watching movies, reading and doing crafts when I have the chance!
Alonso Tinoco
Mechanical Engineering | 4th-Year
I enjoy playing video games, playing soccer, and watching movies. I am fluent in Spanish and have gone to Mexico almost every year.
Amado Perez
Engineering Undeclared | 2nd-Year
I like to enjoy every opportunity to the max, but mostly the ones that make me have fun. I enjoy going to the gym (whenever I’m not tired), and I love collecting shot glasses from every place I visit.