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�ڰ������� honored four alumni and one future alum during their annual Alumni Awards celebration. In the summer of 2025, the NEIU Alumni Association shared the honorees’ inspirational stories.

“The NEIU Alumni Association is thrilled to be able to recognize and honor the University's graduates and future graduates,” said Associate Director of Alumni Relations Anna Mesa. “Though the Alumni Awards ceremony was held in October 2024, it was a private event. By sharing the awardees’ stories this summer, we have an opportunity to congratulate and recognize the recipients with the University community.” 

Alumni Award Recipients 2024

Distinguished Alumna Award
Iris Y. Martinez (B.A. ‘09 Nontraditional Degree Programs, University Without Walls)

“I know that my time at �ڰ�������, even though it was short, it was very impactful,” Martinez said.

Martinez is the former Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. She came to �ڰ������� as a single parent and shortly after starting classes, had to leave the University because her mother, who was her support at home, passed away.

Yet, Martinez returned to �ڰ�������, determined to earn her degree.

“I’m the very first graduate from my family,” Martinez said. She later noted, “After 45 years of public service, I want to be able to let our young people know that nothing is impossible.”

In 2020,  Martinez was elected as the first Latina Clerk of the largest of 24 judicial circuits in Illinois. During her time in office, she centered efforts on the statutory duties and responsibilities of the Office, while supporting her mission to update and increase the use of technology, transform operations and increase transparency. In 2021, led by Clerk Martinez, legislation was signed into law requiring anyone wanting to access restricted information related to the identities of child or adult sex crime victims to petition the court to obtain access to those documents. 

Alumni Service Award 
Damaris Tapia (M.A. ‘14 Communication, Media and Theatre; B.A. ‘01 Speech)

As a first-generation student, Tapia went on to not only earn one degree from �ڰ������� — she earned two.

“I have wonderful memories of both my undergrad and graduate degree, which is why �ڰ������� is home,” Tapia said.

Tapia previously served as the Director of Alumni Relations at �ڰ�������. During her tenure, she reestablished the NEIU Alumni Association and Alumni Membership Program, and led signature alumni events including NEIU Weekend, the NEIU Golden Gala and Alumni Awards, among other alumni events and programs.

“I realized I was able to incorporate all of what I had learned in my undergraduate degree with journalism, communication and writing,” Tapia said. “I was able to incorporate it all in this line of work.”

Tapia currently serves as the Executive Director of the University of Illinois Chicago Alumni Association where she manages an Alumni Board of nearly 60 members and creates pathways for all alumni engagement efforts on behalf of the university. 

Community Leadership Award
Rudy Lozano Jr. (B.A. ‘02 Nontraditional Degree Program, University Without Walls)

A proud husband, father and lifelong resident of the Little Village neighborhood in Chicago, Lozano Jr.’s introduction to community leadership began early in his life. His father, Rudy Lozano, was a prominent activist and community organizer in the Latinx community.

“I was raised in an activist family, surrounded by community organizers and was raised attending marches and rallies and protests and lots and lots of meetings,” Lozano Jr. said.

Lozano Jr. attended other schools before coming to �ڰ�������, but navigating those institutions had its challenges.

“Being able to come here, it just felt like it was for me,” Lozano Jr. said. “The people I worked with were interested in what I wanted to study. I was able to find mentors, professors, I was even able to create my own curriculum, my own major. The opportunities here were limitless.”

Today, Lozano Jr. is an Executive Director with Global Philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase & Co. He is also the Head of The Fellowship Initiative and a leader in youth development and community education. He has previously held positions in nationally recognized organizations such as Association House of Chicago, Instituto del Progreso Latino, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and Enlace Chicago.

“Your journey is not defined,” Lozano Jr. said. “You can create the path you want to see and this institution has all the tools for you to do that.” 

Outstanding Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Alumni Award
Albert P. Chanthaboury, Ph.D. (M.A. ‘18 Higher Education Leadership)

Dr. Chanthaboury is a descendant of Lao and Thai immigrant parents who met in Chicago after being displaced by the Vietnam War.

As a sophomore at Taft High School on Chicago’s northwest side, a geometry teacher recognized him as a community leader. He was nominated for the Posse Scholars program, which offers a full-tuition leadership scholarship to its partner colleges and universities. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and, after earning his undergraduate degree, decided to continue his pursuit of academic excellence.

“I chose �ڰ������� because I felt it was very unique,” Dr. Chanthaboury said.

He was drawn to the fact that the University has four locations and is a Hispanic-Serving Institution. He enrolled in the ENLACE program and became heavily involved in the University as a graduate assistant for Student Leadership Development. Within that role, he was tasked with helping to raise school spirit. The way he approached that was by working to bring engaging entertainment acts to the University, including Alex Aiono, The Pack Drumline, Vic Mensa, Twista and T-Pain.

Dr. Chanthaboury went on to earn a Ph.D. in Community Psychology from National Louis University. He currently serves as the Director of the Asian American Center at �ڰ������� University in Boston, Massachusetts. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Midwest Asian American Student Union and Chi Sigma Tau National Fraternity Inc. 

Future Alumni Leader Award
Luis Kevin Islas (current student, B.S. Marketing)

Islas attended Acero-Cruz charter school before coming to �ڰ�������. He had supportive teachers who believed in him and encouraged him to expand his knowledge.

“What brought me to NEIU was the environment, the staff, the help they have here for students,” Islas said.

He began his time at �ڰ������� during the COVID-19 lockdown, when classes were being held remotely. Yet, even via Zoom, Islas was encouraged to stay connected and get involved in the University.

“That’s what I love about NEIU, it’s that our people care — students, staff, faculty,” Islas said.

Since then, he’s joined a number of student clubs and has participated in countless University activities, including serving as First Year Experience Peer Mentor, Summer Transition Program coach, Vice President of the �ڰ������� chapter of the American Marketing Association, Community Relations Director for the Student Media Board and intern for Student Leadership Development.

“I’ve always been very vocal about going to higher education because I wanted to make my parents proud,” Islas said. 

He credits his supportive parents for inspiring him to have a strong work ethic and passion for helping others. Islas is a McNair Scholar, has earned multiple scholarships and has future goals of being admitted into �ڰ�������’s ENLACE program and becoming a Chicago alderperson.

Nominations for future Alumni Awards are now open. To nominate an alum or student of �ڰ�������, please for the award(s) and submit your nomination(s) via the Alumni Awards online nomination form. 

Top photo (from left to right): Rudy Lozano Jr., Damaris Tapia, �ڰ������� President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan, Iris Y. Martinez, Luis Kevin Islas and Albert P. Chanthaboury, Ph.D.