De'Sha Wolf, PhD

Project Director‌

‌De'Sha Wolf is the Project Director for Loyola’s Achieving College Excellence (ACE) program. In this role, she provides leadership and administration for‌ the ACE program, advancing the University's strategic initiatives to support and retain low income students, first generation college students, and students with disabilities.‌‌‌  She is also responsible for ensuring that the program’s budgetary, operational, programming, and eligibility systems are compliant with the U.S. Department of Education’s regulations and guidelines for TRiO Student Support Services projects. 

De’Sha further oversees the implementation of ACE’s core services including tutoring, post-baccalaureate preparation, mentoring, advising, in addition to the program’s evaluation and assessment activities.

De’Sha completed her doctorate in Higher Education and Organizational Change at the University of California, Los Angeles in 2011. Prior to Loyola, she worked as a Project Manager in the UCLA Center for Educational Assessment, where she developed and implemented the assessment curriculum for a program providing academic support services to underrepresented science majors.

Office: Sullivan Center for Student Services, LSC, Room 238B
Phone: 773.508.2722
E-mail: dwolf@luc.edu‌‌‌

Derrick Gunter

ACE Advisor‌

‌Derrick Gunter serves as the Achieving College Excellence Advisor and provides numerous services to ACE students, including academic support, financial literacy, career counseling, mentoring, and graduate school preparation. He is committed to creating strong involvement and community among ACE students.

Derrick earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rowan University and completed his MEd in Higher Education Administration at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. While Derrick Gunter is new to Loyola University Chicago, he is not new to TRIO. He is a proud alumnus of Rowan University's Educational Opportunity Program/Minority Achievement Program.

In addition, he has worked for Upward Bound, summer bridge programs, and is a contributing member of MAEOPP and ILAEOPP, regional and state TRIO professional associations. Inspired by his former involvement in TRIO programs, Derrick returned to the support network that he benefitted from, which affords him the opportunity to pursue his continued interest in access and equity in higher education.

Office: Sullivan Center for Student Services, LSC, Room 238A
Phone: 773.508.2721
E-mail: dgunter@luc.edu

Stephanie Stewart, PhD

Faculty Director‌

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Stephanie Stewart serves as Faculty Director of ACE and is responsible for the faculty mentoring component of the ACE program. Using a strategic approach to faculty-student engagement, Stephanie provides ACE students with enhanced opportunities to: participate in undergraduate research, receive guidance with planning for advanced degree attainment, develop strategies for college success, and strengthen their sense of connectedness to the Loyola community.

Stephanie serves as Director of the Career Development Center (CDC), her primary appointment in the Office of the Provost. Stephanie earned her doctorate from Loyola in 2007 and previously served as Assessment Coordinator and Clinical Assistant Professor in the School of Education, where she has also had responsibility in the areas of student academic services and enrollment recruiting.

Office: Sullivan Center for Student Services, LSC, Room 280
Phone: 773.508.2753
E-mail: sstewa2@luc.edu

Part-time Staff

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Diana Chavez

ACE Graduate Intern

MA, Higher Education, Loyola University Chicago
PhD, Higher Education, Loyola University Chicago

Diana provides ACE students interested in continuing their education with information on post-baccalaureate studies. She also helps students organize visits to area law, medical, graduate, and professional schools.

Kyle Deane

ACE Graduate Assistant

 Kyle is a second year doctoral student in clinical psychology. Kyle received his Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from The University of Dayton in 2010. He currently contributes to research in Loyola University’s Risk and Resilience Lab examining various psychological and academic outcomes for at-risk adolescents exposed to community violence. As a part of the ACE team, Kyle coordinates the collection of data involving ACE services and student information, and prepares evaluations on program participation and the utilization of services.

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Mandaline Dunne

ACE Program Assistant

‌BA, International Business, Loyola University Chicago (Expected 2014)

Mandaline helps maintain the ACE Web calendar and also assists with event planning, marketing, and administrative duties. In addition, she works with ACE's social media channels and monitors the program e-mail address.

Julie Glasier

ACE Graduate Intern

‌Julie coordinates tutoring for the ACE program, connecting students with tutors for individualized academic assistance in their courses. In this role, she supports the professional development of ACE tutors and also works with students in history and writing.

Mariana Ruano

ACE Graduate Intern

Mariana Ruano is a second year, Masters degree candidate in the Higher Education Program at Loyola University Chicago. Mariana received a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology and Biology from Roosevelt University. Mariana is a proud alumna of the TRiO programs -Educational Talent Search and Student Support Services. As an undergraduate, she worked for ETS and SSS in addition to other positions such as Resident Assistant, Peer Mentor, and tutor. It was because of these experiences with students that Mariana decided to pursue a career on student affairs.  Mariana currently works for ACE as an administrative assistant and Freshmen-Sophomore advisor. 

Welcome to ACE!

From left: Stephanie Stewart, Diana Chavez, Derrick Gunter, Mariana Ruano, Mandaline Dunne, Julie Glasier, Kyle Deane, De'Sha Wolf