Admission Staff Directory

Please feel free to contact us by phone or email

Phone: (217) 206-4847
Toll Free: (888) 977-4847

Our admission staff are dedicated to helping incoming students navigate the admission process. We have counselors for incoming freshmen, as well as a dedicated counselor for transfer students and international students.

Sarah Adams - Admission Counselor

Contact Information: sadam26@uis.edu / 217-503-8840 (call or text)

Territories: West Central IL, St. Louis Area, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama

Hometown: Rochester, IL

Alma Mater: BA History, Quincy University, 2000

Advice for College Students: Think about what is important to you, and choose the school that is the best fit for YOU. Also, take at least one class each semester you know you are going to like. That way you know you always have something to look forward to.

Best Thing About Springfield: Even though it is a smaller city, Springfield always has something to do, especially if you are into the arts or history. While campus has a lot going on, don’t forget to explore Springfield too. There is a lot you don’t want to miss!

Favorite Place on Campus: I love the Student Union, it has such a great energy every time I visit. It truly is the living room of the campus!

About Sarah: I am a Springfield native, I have left several time but home kept calling me back. I am a huge geek, pick a fandom and I am probably a fan. I love to travel and have been to 33 states, and 4 continents.

Aaron Boettcher - Admission Counselor

Contact Information: aboet1@uis.edu / 217-691-1053 (call or text)

Territories: City of Chicago, N. Chicago Suburbs, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Montana

Hometown: McHenry, IL

Alma Maters: BA Finance, Millikin University, 2003 / MBA, University of Illinois Springfield, 2005

Advice for College Students: Enjoy it!!! This is your chance in life to get 4 years to really discover where you want to take your passions, interests, and goals in life. There are so many things you will discover about who you are and what is important to you. There is a reason you worked so hard in high school because college is a ton of fun!!!

Best Thing About Springfield: Diversity. There are so many different types of people and so many things to do.

Favorite Place on Campus: The old Student Life Gym, or Assembly Closet as we used to call it when I coached basketball, since that is where I met my wife!

About Aaron: Huge Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Cardinals Fan, played college baseball and coached college basketball, and my biggest weaknesses are spelling and art of any kind.

Anna Bradford - International Admission Counselor

Contact Information: alight2@uis.edu / 217-691-8890 (call or text)

Hometown: Woodstock, IL

Alma Mater: AA McHenry County College, 2006 / BA Linguistics, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2009 / EdM Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2020

Advice for College Students: Befriend an international student – explore the globe a friend at a time! And take advantage of the Study Abroad opportunities.

Best Thing About Springfield: I enjoy downtown Springfield. The Abraham Lincoln sites and the Dana Thomas house are excellent. I definitely recommend going to the Farmer’s Market as well!

Favorite Place on Campus: Campus Lake is a relaxing and peaceful spot to refresh.

About Anna: I lived in Japan for 5 1/2 years teaching English as a Second Language, and I enjoy to travel/explore whenever I can. I love to swap travel stories, hear food recommendations, and speak about traditional handicrafts!

Leigh Brannan - Assistant Director of Admission

Contact Information: lbran3@uis.edu / 217-741-4079 (call or text)

Hometown: Jacksonville, IL

Alma Mater: BA English, Philosophy, and Religion, MacMurray College, 2004

Advice for College Students: Go to class and sit in the front row!

Best Thing About Springfield UIS!

Favorite Place on Campus: The Shakespeare Garden

About Leigh: I was a gymnast for a long time and was a competitive diver in college, I read around 60 books a year, and I love to workout.

Marla Johnson - Admission Counselor

Contact Information: mjohn206@uis.edu / 217-741-0682 (call or text)

Territories: Southwest suburbs of Chicago and southside Chicago, New York, and the North-Eastern states.

Alma Maters: BS Marketing, University of Alabama in Huntsville, 2017

Advice for College Students: Keep your academics first, but don’t forget to get involved in clubs and organizations; you won’t regret it!

Best Thing About Springfield: UIS of course and the Abraham Lincoln sites.

Favorite Place on Campus: The Student Union

About Marla: I was a cheerleader in college. I love traveling, being artistic, and watching documentaries.

Rebecca Johnson - Associate Director of Admission

Contact Information: rjohn39@uis.edu / 217-741-3934 (call or text)

Hometown: Nashville, TN

Alma Mater: BS Secondary Science Education, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 2006 / M.Ed. Student Personnel in Higher Education, University of Florida, 2012

Advice for College Students: Do something outside of your comfort zone – it’s amazing what you will learn about yourself. Take advantage of networking opportunities

About Rebecca: I worked at Disney right after college and got to meet the voices of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. I love to run but didn’t start running until I was in college – I try to complete a couple half marathons every year.

Kathryn Kleeman - Director of Admission

My hometown: Terre Haute, IN

Alma Maters: BS Business Management, Indiana State, 1997 / MPA University of Illinois Springfield, 2005

Advice for College Students: Get involved in clubs and organizations. You’ll learn a lot and make great connections.

Best Thing About Springfield: Easy to get around but lots of amenities of a larger city

Favorite Place on Campus: The Student Union patio

About Kathryn: I like a cappela (specifically Straight No Chaser); I have traveled to China; like road trips.

Carly Leffel - Admission Counselor

Contact Information: cweso2@uis.edu / 217-741-2150 (call or text)

Territories: S. Illinois, Sangamon County, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa

Hometown: Naperville, IL

Alma Mater: BA Communication, University of Illinois Springfield, 2017

Advice for College Students: Get involved in as many clubs and organizations as you can.

Best Thing About Springfield: Horseshoes!

Favorite Place on Campus: The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC)

About Carly: I played volleyball for 10 years and in college, I love to read, and I love to cook.

Ben Webb - Admission Counselor

Contact Information: bwebb4@uis.edu / 217-741-6826 (call or text)

Territories: Chicago Area, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee

Alma Mater: BA Communication, University of Illinois Springfield, 2016 / MA Communication, University of Illinois Springfield, 2018

Advice for College Students: College is what you make it. Do not be afraid to take risks. Go out and learn new things, meet new people, and enjoy all that UIS has to offer.

Best Thing About Springfield: Although Springfield is a small place, the people you meet are very welcoming.

Favorite Place on Campus: My favorite place on campus is Student Union because it is the hub for all social life on campus. You never know who you might see when taking a trip to the Union.

About Ben: I attended UIS for both undergrad and grad school. I am from the Chicago area. While attending UIS, I became of member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In my spare time, I love to watch YouTube and do graphic design.