Our Team

McCormick Institute

Executive Leadership

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Lisa Downey, Ed.D.

Executive Director, McCormick Institute for Early Childhood

Chicago Campus

(312) 261-3357 | Lisa.Downey@nl.edu

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Teri Talan, J.D., Ed.D.

Professor Emerita of Early Childhood Education, McCormick Institute for Early Childhood

(312) 261-3301 |  Ttalan@nl.edu

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Kathy Wildman, M.B.A.

Director of Finance & Operations, McCormick Institute for Early Childhood

Wheeling Campus

(847) 947-5148 | Kathleen.Wildman@nl.edu

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Leslie Layman, M.S.

Director of Strategic Initiatives, McCormick Institute for Early Childhood

Chicago Campus

(312) 261-3099 |  llayman@nl.edu

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Xiaoli Wen, Ph.D.

Director of Research, McCormick Institute for Early Childhood

Chicago campus

(312) 261-3160 I  xiaoli.wen@nl.edu

Innovations in Professional Preparation

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Emilie Austin, M.Ed.

Manager of Instructional Design & Innovation

Chicago Campus

(847) 947-5706 | eaustin3@nl.edu

Operations Team

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Sayra Calderon

Finance Operations Assistant

Chicago Campus

(312) 261-3612 |  scalderon6@nl.edu

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Cassandra Ibarra

Conference and Special Events Planner

Wheeling Campus

(847) 947-5277 | cibarra4@nl.edu

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Marissa McCloy

Marketing Manager, Online Presence and Brand Management

Chicago Campus

(312) 261-3352 |  mmccloy@nl.edu

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Julieta Alonso

Manager, Systems and Technology Integration

Wheeling Campus

(847) 947-5266 | jalonso1@nl.edu

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Sabrina Resendiz

eLearning Coordinator

Chicago Campus

(312) 261-3341 | sresendiz5@nl.edu

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Jose Zavala

Technical Support Specialist II

Chicago Campus

(312) 261-3350 | jzavala5@nl.edu

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Desiree Taylor

Professional eLearning Assistant

Chicago Campus

(312) 261-3147 | dtaylor52@nl.edu