A New Addition to Student Services: Shonta Durham-Wiersema
A New Addition to Student Services: Shonta Durham-Wiersema Heading link
We would like to introduce you to a new member of the College of Business Administration’s Advising Staff, Shonta Durham-Wiersema. Shonta joined the Student Services Advising Team this April and will serve as Director of Student Advising. Please read below to get to know Shonta.
Favorite Chicago Activities/ Places: I love Chicago’s lakefront; it is my second home during the three months of the year that it is warm! Jogging, biking, reading, grilling out with friends and family, the lakefront in the summer is my happy place!
Favorite Chicago Restaurants: Giordano’s (love their deep dish and thin crust!), Twisted Tapas (small Tapas restaurant along the lake in Rogers Park), Bop & Grill (Korean BBQ in Rogers Park) and when I am feeling fancy, The Boarding House in River North.
Hometown: I was born in the smallish town of Mansfield Ohio, raised all over the Chicagoland area, including the suburbs of Calumet City, Park Forest, and Naperville.
Tell us a little about your personal/professional background: I have a B.A. in Journalism from Columbia College Chicago, an M.Ed in Higher Education Administration from Loyola University Chicago, and an M.A. in Sociology from DePaul. I have been working with students in various advising capacities at various Chicagoland institutions for the past 12 years, most recently at Oakton Community College where I also taught Intro to Sociology. Outside of work, I have the privilege of having been married to Zane, the love of my life for 11 years!
How did you end up working at UIC? I was actually encouraged to apply for this position by a colleague who previously worked at UIC. She thought this role and the university would be a good fit for me. Turns out, she was right!
What are you most excited to do in your new role? I am most excited about working with a really strong and enthusiastic advising team to positively impact the success of UIC Business students!
What critical information should students know about you? I am accessible! I am here and always available to answer any questions students may have. Don’t hesitate to stop by UH 1125 or drop me an email at ssdurham@uic.edu.