The 2025 student dinner took place on November 6, 2025, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the ACES Library Heritage Room. The evening focused on overcoming challenges while pursuing a degree. Our keynote speaker, Elizabeth Mason, Ed.D. Director of I-LEAP, helped facilitate storytelling by sharing pieces of her own story and inviting students to share their own stories.
Keynote Speaker
Elizabeth Mason, Ed.D
Originally from a small suburb of Chicago, Lynwood, IL, Dr. Elizabeth Mason is a three-time alumna of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. After her undergraduate degree in International Studies, Elizabeth worked as a grade school teacher. Her time in the classroom inspired her to change careers to higher education, in order to improve the outcomes of students like hers once they got to college. This decision led her back to Illinois to complete her master’s degree, and eventually her doctorate in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership. Dr. Mason has worked with students from kindergarten through their undergraduate careers in various settings over the years. Her research focused on the impact of institutional policies on students struggling academically during COVID-19. Currently, Dr. Mason is the director of the Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program (I-LEAP) in the College of Applied Health Sciences. She works with students to develop leadership and academic skills necessary to achieve their goals and with campus partners to improve student access and success at the University of Illinois.
