Meet The Staff, Office of Advancement, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

U of I logoCollege of Veterinary Medicine

Meet The Staff

Brenda Betts

Brenda K. Betts
Assistant Dean for Advancement

217/333-5545

bbetts@uiuc.edu

I came to head the advancement team in March 2006--an exciting time when new leaders and new plans are accelerating the College to excellence. Previously I worked in development and alumni relations for 15 years at Michigan State University, where I also earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a master’s degree in public relations. In Lansing I was involved in the leadership at Capital Area Humane Society. At home I have an impetuous cocker spaniel named Cassie.

I joined the College with great respect for the veterinary profession, and I look forward to assisting friends and alumni who want to advance the work of the dedicated faculty, staff, and students who are improving the quality of life for animals and humans.

Vasquez photo

Heather Vazquez
Associate Director of Development
217/333-2517

hvazquez@uiuc.edu

Since joining the advancement team in November 2005, I am honored to spend my time sharing the College’s story with alumni and friends throughout Illinois and nationally. My job is made much easier because of the extraordinary work by our faculty, staff and students touching the lives of countless people everyday.

Prior to our move to Champaign, my family lived in Washington, D.C., where I worked for five years in the development office of a private college. I have a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and a master’s from The Catholic University of America. My husband and I are the proud parents of a son, and our home is completed by our dogs, Buddy and Blue.

Beuoy photo

Chris Beuoy
Director of Communications
217/333-2762
beuoy@uiuc.edu

I've been at the College since 1996, working to share with a wide variety of audiences news about the discoveries, achievements, and other activities of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni. I produce many of the College publications and would love to hear from alumni and College personnel about news items to include in our quarterly print newsletter, Veterinary Report, and our monthly electronic newsletter, Illinois VetNews. In addition, I facilitate media and public relations to give reporters and community groups access to our faculty experts and serve as liaison to the students who organize our annual Open House.

My educational background includes a BA degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and a master's from Northwestern University. My family includes a daughter and a voracious beagle pound puppy.

Debra & Emma

Debra Domal
Media Communications Specialist
217/265-8511
domal@uiuc.edu

I’ve been at the College since 2002, working to coordinate the Web site.  I work with people throughout the College and across campus and use the latest technology to make our site dynamic and accessible for our alumni, friends, prospective students and faculty and our community.  Since we have a big site, including much that is not visable to the general public, part of my job is to work with in-house designers and train our many internal content providers.  I am also responsible for our electronic newsletters and electronic event management and promotion system.

My educational background includes a BA degree from New York University and a master’s from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Center for Writing Studies.  My family includes my husband and four rescued felines. 

 

Beth Erwin

Beth Erwin
Administrative Aide
217/333-2762
eerwin@uiuc.edu

I have been with the College of Veterinary Medicine since 1986.  After attending Parkland College, I began working in the Word Processing Center and then in 1991 moved into the Advancement Office, where I enjoy working with alumni, donors, and friends of the College.  I am responsible for coordinating the administrative functions of the Advancement Office.  My husband, Mike, and I share our home with our collie, Maverick, and sheltie, Luke.

 

 

Kristen Reifsteck

Kristen Reifsteck
Secretary
217/333-2761
ktreifst@uiuc.edu

I joined the Advancement team in September 2005. I have been with the University of Illinois since December 2001.  My duties include assisting the Advancement team, performing reception duties, and greeting alumni and donors. I grew up in central Illinois and earned an Associates Degree in Office Administration from Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois. My home includes my boyfriend, Lucas, and dog, Smokey.

 

 

Jackie Sturdyvin

Jackie Sturdyvin
Secretary
217/244-0680

strdyvn@uiuc.edu

In the fall of 2004, I was hired to coordinate the Companion Animal Memorial Fund Program.  I receive donations from individuals as well as over 100 clinics on a weekly, daily, and monthly basis.  These gifts generate memorial cards to the families whose pets are now deceased.  It is heartwarming to see the response from the recipients of these cards.  They are somewhat comforted to know that the monies donated help teach future veterinarians and help with noninvasive research for a variety of animal diseases.

Before I came to Vet Med, I was a church secretary in Champaign for 15 years. My husband, Chris, and I own and operate a lawn maintenance and water garden design company. We have three children, one granddaughter, and a new puppy, Roxie.

 

Our mailing address is:

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign / College of Veterinary Medicine
2001 S. Lincoln Avenue
Urbana, IL 61802