Meet the Staff

Director
rpugh@siu.edu

Roger earned his B.A. and M.A in English from SIU, and has worked as part of the Achieve Program as an undergraduate tutor, a graduate-level case manager, and then in an administrative capacity as a Developmental Skills Training Specialist, for a total of over 32 years of service. Roger was named the interim director of Achieve in 2023 and became permanent director in February 2024.

Developmental Skills Training Specialist
ashleync@siu.edu

Ashley completed her degrees in Management at SIU and SIUE. She joined the Achieve Program supervising our case management staff in 2023. She loves to read, and she raises chickens. She is excited to be a part of the Achieve team where she can use her organizational skills, problem-solving and love for learning to help our students achieve succe

Developmental Skills Training Specialist
colleenspringer@siu.edu

Colleen completed her degrees at SIU in Anthropology and Linguistics/TESOL with a specialty in bilingual education. She joined the Achieve Program as a Student Support Supervisor in 2023 and brings more than a decade of public-school teaching experience in the areas of Spanish and English Language Arts and Multilingual Special Education. She enjoys informal music jams with friends and long hikes in the forest.

Reece earned his bachelor’s degrees in Communication Studies and Agribusiness Economics in 2023 from SIU. He is currently pursuing his Master’s in Health Administration at SIU. He enjoys cooking, reading and spending times with friends. He has worked in variety of roles with the Achieve Program since 2020 and is excited to utilize his past experience and positive attitude to help his students.
reece.davis@siu.edu

Ainaz earned her bachelor’s degree in Architecture and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Architecture at Southern Illinois University. She enjoys painting, cooking, and photography. Ainaz has worked in a variety of roles, including being a designer, curating exhibitions, organizing workshops and events, and marketing. She is excited to utilize her diverse skill set and passion for creating positive change to help her students and collaborate with others to build a brighter future.
ainaz.fazlfarhadi@siu.edu

Ashish earned his Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering at SIU. He can play a few musical instruments and loves to draw and paint. He takes a proactive approach to guiding our neurodiverse students through their academic journey. Drawing on his background as faculty (at NBIU, Bangladesh) and teaching assistant (at SIU), he blends academic insights with holistic strategies, tailored to each student’s unique needs. He is passionate about implementing active listening, interventions, and personalized academic strategies, ensuring every student feels supported and confident in their academic pursuits. His dedication aligns with Achieve’s mission of nurturing success and growth, and he seeks opportunities to refine his approaches through evaluations and feedback.
ashish.mahanta@siu.edu

Angshu completed her master's degree in Social Work at SIUC and is currently pursuing her PhD in Educational Administration. She has been a graduate assistant with the Achieve Program since August 2021. She is from Nepal, so ping her if you want to know anything about her country! Every day, Angshu bring her positive good attitude and helping hands to the Achieve Program, no matter the situation.
angshu.neupane@siu.edu

Emma earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and Psychology in 2023 from Indiana University. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at SIU. In her free time, Emma enjoys playing pickleball, spending time with her cats and friends, and video gaming. Her goal in life is to make a positive impact in other people's lives. 
emma.osborn@siu.edu

My name is Cassidy Paul, and I am a first-year graduate student in the CARE program. My concentration is clinical mental health, and I plan to become a high school counselor one day.  My favorite activities include reading, going to the gym, and spending time with friends and family. 
cassidy.paul@siu.edu

Dami is a second year Master's student in Social Work with a focus on mental health and health services. Dami enjoys volunteering, cooking, practicing mindfulness and spending time with her family and friends. She is passionate about helping others through challenging times, and her goal is to be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to making a lasting impact in the lives of others.

damilolaesther.rotimi@siu.edu

Lucas is a student at SIU, where he is currently pursuing his passion for architecture within the College of Arts and Media. Lucas is on track to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, poised to make a meaningful impact. Throughout his undergraduate studies, Lucas has demonstrated a solid commitment to excellence, consistently pushing the boundaries of traditional architectural concepts and embracing cutting-edge techniques. His coursework has not only equipped him with a solid foundation in architectural theory and practice but has also fostered his creativity and critical thinking skills. Lucas has been accepted into the graduate program at SIUC, where he will continue his journey toward mastery in architecture. Eager to delve deeper into specialized areas of the discipline, Lucas looks forward to exploring advanced design principles, sustainable architecture, and emerging technologies in his graduate studies.
lucas.tankersley@siu.edu