About the Trustees
Kathryn Bohn, Chairperson
Bohn is currently a physician and partner at The Vein Specialists in Bloomington, IL. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education and a Master of Science degree from Illinois State University. She then matriculated to Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine degree. Following medical school, she completed a three-year residency in family medicine. Bohn worked as an emergency physician for 24 years in the Bloomington-Normal area. She served on the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Family Violence Council, the Red Cross Board, and the Illinois State University Foundation and Alumni Boards. In 1999, Bohn was honored as a McLean County YWCA Woman of Distinction, and in 2005, she was inducted into ISU's College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame.
Term Expires January 2029
Julie Hoeniges
A trade compliance professional with more than 25 years of global experience, Hoeniges is the Director of Trade Compliance at Rivian, based out of Normal, IL. In this role since 2019, she is responsible for ground-up development of trade policy and strategy, customs import operations, export controls, audit and advisory activities, as well as ensuring compliance with all laws and regulations related to international trade. Prior to that, Hoeniges spent 20 years at Caterpillar Inc. where she led a global team with responsibility for enterprise trade compliance leadership, policy, advice, and oversight for 125 different legal entities across 26 countries. She has served two terms on the Illinois District Export Council, is a licensed US Customs Broker, and is a long-time member of the American Association of Exporters and Importers, where she currently serves on the Board of Governors and Executive Committee. Hoeniges earned a bachelor’s degree in risk management and insurance from Illinois State University.
Term Expires January 2031
Scott Jenkins
Jenkins brings over 25 years of state and federal experience in developing, advancing, and implementing education, higher education, and workforce policies aimed at fostering student success. He currently leads Trillium Insights LLC, offering strategic consulting services to state government leaders, higher education systems and institutions, foundations, and nonprofits. Previously, Jenkins served as Strategy Director for State Policy at Lumina Foundation, where he worked to expand access to postsecondary education opportunities. Before that, he was the Education Policy Director at the National Governors Association, overseeing a team dedicated to advancing state-level higher education initiatives and supporting governors and their staff in policy development and execution. His experience also includes roles as Director of External Relations at Western Governors University and Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education. He is a Pahara Fellow and a member of the Conservative Education Reform Network. Jenkins holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Science in Higher Education from Purdue University.
Term Expires January 2029
Lia Merminga
An internationally renowned accelerator physicist, Merminga is the director of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, located in Batavia, IL. She previously led Fermilab's Proton Improvement Plan II (PIP-II) project, an upgrade to Fermilab's accelerator complex to enable the world's most intense neutrino beam to the flagship Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). Merminga has held major scientific leadership roles at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in California; TRIUMF in Vancouver, Canada; and the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Virginia. She has served as an adjunct professor at the College of William and Mary, University of British Columbia, and University of Victoria, and as a professor at Stanford University in the departments of physics and astronomy. Merminga earned a bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Athens, Greece, and master's degrees in physics and mathematics and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She is a Fermilab Distinguished Scientist, a fellow of the American Physical Society, and a graduate of the DOE's Openheimer Energy Science Leadership Program.
Term Expires January 2029
Robert Navarro, Secretary
Navarro is currently the President and CEO of Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau. In this role since 2006, Navarro administers a viable destination marketing program for the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor region that is designed to achieve economic development through tourism, marketing, promotion and development. He previously served as Director of Housing Services as U.S Equities Reality, where he worked to open the 18-story University Center in the Chicago loop that houses students from Columbia College Chicago, DePaul University, and Roosevelt University. Navarro also served as a facility manager for the DuPage Children's Museum and began his career at Illinois State University as an assistant director. He is a founding member of Illinois State University's Latino Alumni Network and a former chairman of the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. Navarro earned his Doctor of Philosophy from Illinois State University.
Term Expires January 2031
Darren Tillis
Darren Tillis is the owner of Darren Tillis Insurance Agency, an independent contract agency with State Farm Insurance Companies providing insurance and financial services throughout the State of Illinois, located in Chicago’s historic North Lawndale community. With over 29 years of experience in the insurance & financial services industry, Darren has served in various leadership roles within the company and community. Darren has served as the Chair of Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) North Lawndale Advisory Board, Co-Chair of Lawndale Community Action Council (CAC), Co-Chair of Hughes Elementary Local School Council and a member of Chicago Youth Centers (CYC) North Lawndale Advisory Board. Darren is currently a member of Strategic Human Services Board of Directors and a member of UCAN Governing Board. Darren is a recipient of the Chicago Westside Branch NAACP Nola Bright Community Service Award and the New Covenant Community Development Corporation Game Changer Award. Darren earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Illinois State University in 1994.
Term Expires January 2029
Ryan Russell, Student Trustee
Ryan Russell is a Junior Marketing major with a minor in Organizational Leadership. In his time on campus, he has served as a Student Life Senator in the Student Government Association, the Vice President of the University Program Board, the Director of Event Planning for Student Leadership Advisory Board, a Student Member on the Reinstatement Committee, and is currently the Vice President of Sigma Pi Fraternity, the Vice President of Brotherhood for the Interfraternity Council, a Social Media Intern for the College of Business, the Treasurer for Alpha Kappa Psi, and the President of Business Week. He is passionate about creating a safe and inclusive environment on campus while also making sure students' voices are being heard. He is thrilled to be able to work alongside many colleagues at Illinois State University to continue to make this place, that he now calls home, great!