Prof. Laurie Johnson was appointed Director of the Campus Honors Program in January 2022, after serving as Interim Director since May 2021. Dr. Johnson reports to Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Kevin Jackson. She has maintained the traditional strengths of the Program while diversifying the student body, broadening and diversifying faculty involvement, and introducing new initiatives. Dr. Johnson has served as Interim Associate Director of the School of Literatures, Cultures & Linguistics, and as Director of Undergraduate Studies, Director of Graduate Studies, and Acting Head in her home department, Germanic Languages & Literatures. She has served on College and Campus General Education committees/boards, and was Chair of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences’ Working Group on Enhancing the Student Experience. Dr. Johnson has campus affiliations in Comparative and World Literature, in Criticism and Interpretive Theory, and in the European Union Center. She received the BA in International Politics and German Studies from Northwestern University, and the MA and PhD in German from Washington University. She is the recipient of several teaching awards and has taught and conducted research at public and private universities, a liberal arts college, and a community college. In addition, Dr. Johnson has coached and given workshops for faculty around the country with the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity. Dr. Johnson is from Carbondale, Illinois (go Terriers and go Salukis). She lives in Champaign with her husband Carl Niekerk. Their two children attend the University of Illinois (go Illini), and are graduates of Champaign Central High School (go Maroons).

See also laurieruthjohnson.weebly.com

Elizabeth Rockman received her B.A. in English and Rhetoric from the University of Illinois in 1989, and her M.A. in English from the University of Maryland at College Park in 1992. Elizabeth worked for conservation non-profits in Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, Maryland for eight years, and returned to campus to work in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs for nearly five years. Elizabeth joined the Campus Honors Program in June 2004 as the Assistant Director for Operations, and was promoted to Associate Director in Spring 2007; her duties include coordination of publications (such as the Annual Newsletter and NewsBytes), monitoring program requirements, drafting letters of recommendation, and scheduling the SAS and KDR series. Elizabeth and her husband Gregg live in Urbana.

Anne Price has worked at the University of Illinois for over nineteen years. She started as Office Manager in the Campus Honors Program and was later promoted to Associate Director of Operations. Anne’s responsibilities include coordination of course development and scheduling, advising students in the area of CHP coursework, and overseeing the Honors Student Council. Anne’s favorite part of her job is working with the students and course planning. Anne graduated in May 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational and Professional Development from Eastern Illinois University. Anne lives in Weldon with her husband and has two grown daughters and one grandson. In her spare time she enjoys reading, gardening, home improvement projects and traveling with her husband.

Lori Torigian Rogers joined the Campus Honors Program as Office Manager in July 2024. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Experimental Psychology and a Music Minor from Millikin University. She most recently has been a Mentor/Volunteer Coordinator at Champaign Unit 4 School District while concurrently working as a Group Fitness Instructor at the Stephens Family YMCA in Champaign and with significant engagement in the community. When she is not working, Lori loves gardening, crocheting, and hanging out with her family. Lori’s enjoyment for working with students will serve the CHP well!

Emily Hewitt has worked at the University of Illinois for two years. She previously worked for DRES and McKinley Health Center before starting as Office Support Specialist with the Campus Honors Program in March 2024. Emily is the first point of contact for students, and she provides clerical support for all CHP operations. Emily’s favorite part of her job is helping plan events and working with the students. Emily graduated from the University of Illinois in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in English. Emily grew up in Sidney, Illinois and now lives in Savoy with her dog Lucy. In her spare time, Emily enjoys reading, baking, and brunch.

Amy Fitzjarrald joined the University of Illinois at the beginning of 2020 as the Program Director for the Honors Living Learning Community (HLLC). Housed in Wardall Hall at ISR, the HLLC is home to selected James Scholars and Chancellor’s Scholars. Amy’s responsibilities include recruitment and selection of HLLC residents, office staff supervision, overseeing instructor recruitment and training for the HLLC required course CHP 199, coordinating Illinois Residential Education strategies for HLLC residents, developing travel opportunities for HLLC residents, and serving as a resource for students. She enjoys working closely with both University Housing and the Campus Honors Program. Amy is a proud alumna of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Communication in 2011. She then earned a Master’s of Education from Iowa State University in 2013. Prior to joining the University of Illinois, Amy worked as a Program Coordinator for Assessment in Student Housing and Residential Life at the University of Houston and Residence Hall Coordinator at Illinois State University. She has also previously sailed on Semester at Sea as a Resident Director during a summer 2012 voyage to Central and South America. Amy lives in Champaign and enjoys traveling, personal development, and a good TV series.