marilyn Kok
Associate Director of GRants, Marketing, and communications
- Phone: 217.206.6058
- E-mail: mkok2@uis.edu
In addition to writing (or collecting) the content for the Office of Development’s new website, I write materials that help donors know about UIS and the many opportunities the university offers to students, faculty, staff, and the community. This includes the slide shows and photography for the website.
I also research and prepare fundraising proposals, write other documents used in fundraising efforts, and serve as a technical resource to faculty and staff throughout UIS in their efforts to secure grants.
Please do not hesitate to call me if you have any questions about our website or other materials from the Office of Development. 217.206.6058.
I would especially love to hear from you if you have a story about how UIS has helped you achieve your dreams.
Personal:
I grew up overseas in India and Taiwan, but I have lived in Decatur, Illinois, most of my adult life. I have a bachelor’s in literature from Wheaton College (Illinois) and a master’s in composition and rhetoric from Texas A&M University.
Why education matters:
Education expands the landscapes of people’s lives, showing them a bigger world with many more possibilities. Education grows dreams and then gives people a better chance of achieving those dreams—especially women. Educate women the world over, and they will make the world a better, safer, more productive place. But don’t take my word for it. Check it out for yourself.
What I enjoy most about my role at UIS:
I get to meet students and learn about their lives and dreams. They are so great, so full of energy and hope—I’m one of the luckiest people in the world.
A program at UIS I care deeply about:
I love the idea of using the internet to bring people from around the world together. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences had a class last year with students from Bangladesh in the same internet class as students from UIS. The students did assignments together, carried on discussions, and through it all learned about the very real cultural differences between our two societies—a shattering, life-changing exchange. It’s easy to say we appreciate diversity, but until we encounter someone who truly disagrees with something we consider absolutely necessary, our ability to get along hasn’t been tested. What a great—and economical—way to make this happen.
Best thing about UIS:
I love the commitment to teaching that overlays our entire university, including our online initiative. At UIS, online education is more about education than it is about being online—teaching over technology. They make the technology work here, but always for the sake of the teaching. No wonder UIS’ online program wins so many awards.
What most people don’t know about me:
I homeschooled my six children, returning to work fulltime outside the home in 2007. My grown children have flown away: Singapore, Beijing, Tucson, Peoria, and Wheaton, with one still at home.
- What I am reading now: Beyond Buzz, a book about marketing
- A book I remember from college: Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poetry. I read his poetry often.
- A college/grad school teacher who meant a lot: Paul Fromer, a professor at Wheaton who showed me both how poorly I wrote and how well I could write
- My favorite movie: Spitfire Grill, an amazing story of redemption and love
- My favorite sports team: The Atlanta Braves
