Courtney M. Thompson

IMSA Class: 2003
I rep dorm: 1504
My hometown: Kankakee, IL
Current home: Frankfort, IL

I’m excited for the BAA because I love Black folks and I want to give back to IMSA some of what it gave to me. I am excited for the BAA to create, reignite, and maintain connections and community with Black IMSA alumni as well to support Black IMSA students through their time at IMSA and beyond.

Derek Houston, Ph.D.

IMSA Class: 1998
I rep dorm: 02C
My hometown: Tamms, IL
Current home: Norman, OK

I am excited for the opportunity to actively engage with Black alumni in helping to shape the future of the Academy.

Jasmine Kwasa, Ph.D.

IMSA Class: 2009
I rep dorm: 06D pseudo UQ!
My hometown: Chicago
Current home: Pittsburgh, PA

I want to support current and future Black students at IMSA and build communities of healing and joy among Black alumni. Dassit! I credit several of my academic successes to IMSA’s training, and I want to ensure that future Black IMSA students are able to take advantage as well, but without the trauma.

Education: Washington University in St Louis (BS in BME), Boston University (MS in BME), Carnegie Mellon University (PhD in ECE)
Current job: Post-doctoral research fellow at Carnegie Mellon studying non-invasive neuroscience, developing racially inclusive neurotechnologies, and battling racists at all levels of academia.
Fun Fact: I teach dance fitness classes (305 Fitness) and I love connecting with people. At IMSA I participated in dances for all the cultural groups: Diwali, Kwanzaa/BHM, Lunar New Year, and Casa de Alma.

Maurice “Moe” Haney

Class: Thornton Township, 2003 (former IMSA admin)
I rep dorm: 1505 (former RC)
My hometown: Harvey, IL
Current home: Elgin, IL

I'm excited about the BAA because this network is long overdue and will serve as valuable resource to Black Alumni and current IMSA students. I would like to see this powerful network of talented Black minds reach its full potential. As I am familiar with many of the experiences surrounding our Black IMSA students/alumni, I would like to help create a safe space where our Black voices will be heard and supported within our own community, providing the necessary resources to lift each other up and encourage one another on our various journeys. Our reach will extend beyond our network to inspire many Black minds in a meaningful and impactful way. We will serve as key influencers for other Black organizations to emulate and we will exemplify exactly what happens when Black minds unite. 

Education: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Logan University, and Arkansas State University.

Current job: I have a passion for education and service. Currently, I work in Higher Education and run a non-profit Health Communication organization that serves underrepresented communities.

Thandeka K. Chapman, Ph.D.

IMSA Class: Charter aka 1989
I rep dorm: Art Dorm 1986-87
Hometown: DeKalb, Il
Current home: San Diego, CA

I’m excited to work with IMSA to create better experiences and opportunities for all students, particularly Black students. IMSA was never perfect, but I left with racially, socially, and culturally diverse friends for life. I want all students to be able to say the same about their ride/die road chics/dogs. I hope to become more connected to current IMSA students as a mentor and guide. I know a lot about a little, and I am willing to share my knowledge and experiences.

Education: Spelman College (BA)
Current job: Professor of Education, UC San Diego. My work focuses on access and equity for students of color after Brown v. Board Decision and the civil rights Act of 1964.
Fun facts:

• I talked so much trash during an IMSA basketball game that the player I was guarding stopped playing and started swinging on me. It was awesome. I stopped playing ball to be more “girly” and attract a certain IMSA boy. It didn’t work and it was probably the one mistake I regret as a teenager.

• I am a total foodie and travel lover.

• I had multiple non-academic graduate school jobs that kept food on the table: hotel clerk, English teacher at boy’s maximum security detention center for sex offenders, Macy’s dress floor salesperson, and substitute teacher.  

Lacey Thomas

IMSA class: 2008
Hometown: Joliet, IL
I rep dorm: 03D
Current home: Chicago, IL

I'm excited about the BAA to help be the face I wish I saw as an IMSA student. I look forward to the idea of making IMSA a better place than I found it. I'm excited about the intentional space and place for Black students and alum to connect, learn and grow from one another.

Education: Clemson University (BS - Food Science), UIUC (MS - Food Science)

Current job: Food scientist

Fun fact: I once received an email from Chef Wolfgang Puck telling me he loved my sauce I developed for him. I was a featured blogger on the Land O'Lakes Test Kitchens website when I was an intern.