Leia is thrilled to be joining the Alumni Association Events and Outreach Team and CU Boulder community as a Program Manager for Volunteer Engagement! She was recently working as a Digital Marketing Specialist for a statewide non-profit organization in Illinois, but missed face-to-face relationship building, working with college alumni, and living in Colorado! Leia graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations in 2019 while playing four years of Division I golf, and a master’s degree in communication in 2021. While pursuing her master’s degree, she acted as Illinois State University Alumni Engagement’s graduate assistant, where she worked with various alumni and volunteers. She is so excited to be working for a university again and can’t wait to make new connections. Â
After working as a hiking guide and outdoor education instructor for the YMCA of the Rockies for three seasons in 2019 and 2021, Leia knew that she loved Colorado. She moved back to her hometown in the northwest suburbs of Chicago to be close to family and friends but is now ready to build her dream life in her favorite state! In her free time, Leia can be found going on long day hikes, training for her next marathon, climbing with her partner, or hanging out with her dogs. Â