Cynthia Thompson
Director of Student Life

Cynthia has a BA in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Student Personnel Services from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She began her work with college students at the University of North Dakota in 1990 and came to UIS in 2002. She received several awards in the past for her work with college students, including an “Advisor of the Year” award and the “Gordon Henry Award” for her passion and dedication to students. She is the Student Life Liaison to the Political/Advocacy groups.

• E-mail: thompson.cynthia@uis.edu
  or studentlife@uis.edu

Wendy Gochanour
Staff Clerk

Wendy is the Administrative Assistant in the Student Life Department. Wendy is responsible for handling finances for the various student organizations at UIS as well as contracts and financial records fo the Office of Student Life. Wendy began her employment with the University of Illinois in 2001. She received an award for Employee of the Month in 2003. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication at UIS.

• E-mail: wwith1@uis.edu

Mary Umbarger, AKA Mar Bear
Student Organization and Leadership Coordinator

• My Favorite Part about working in Student Life is that there is always something exciting going on!
• E-mail: mumbarg2@uis.edu

Clayton Buss
Clayton is the Graduate Assistant for Student Life and is studying Biology for his master’s degree. Clayton handles space requests for campus events, advises SOFA, and maintains the Student Life Web pages.

• E-mail: ga-studentlife@uis.edu