Staff

Meet the staff for the Center for Civic Engagement.

Katy Strzepek became the first director of the Center for Civic Engagement team in February 2020. She was previously the director of the Women and Gender Studies Program and WGS Resource Center at St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa. She also organized the Ambrose Women for Social Justice Conference, bringing globally renowned human rights activists to campus, including Leymah Gbowee, a Nobel Peace Prize winner from Liberia.

Strzepek received a bachelor’s degree in history from Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio; a master’s degree in African history from Northwestern University; and a doctorate in higher education administration and foundations from Illinois State University.

Harriett Steinbach joined the Center for Civic Engagement team in summer 2017. She previously worked for 10 years in the Dean of Students Office at Illinois State University. Serving in several capacities, Steinbach worked most significantly with Parent and Family Services, off-campus living, leadership development, and community service. Prior to her time at Illinois State, she worked at The Salvation Army and the McLean County Museum of History.

Steinbach received her B.A. in Political Science and History from Eureka College and her M.S. in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Service from Illinois State University. She is currently studying in the Doctor of Public Administration program through the University of Illinois Springfield, with a Leadership of Public and Nonprofit Organizations specialization.

Mackenzie Dowling joined the Center for Civic Engagement in summer 2022. She previously worked in Academic Advising at Illinois State’s University College, and admissions advising/recruiting at Oakland University. As a graduate student, Mackenzie worked advising Alternative Spring Break and other volunteer programming in the Center forr Civic Engagement. Alternative Breaks and civic engagement have been a lifelong passion, including collegiate student experience in Alternative Breaks and volunteering programming. 

Dowling received her bachelor’s from the University of Arizona in Public Management and Policy and a master’s from Illinois State University in College Student Personnel Administration. 

 

Trey Jones earned his Bachelor's in Sport Management from Lincoln College in May 2021. Throughout his undergraduate and post graduate ventures he has gained experience in Event Management, Project Planning and Marketing. Working at the Bloomington Ice Center, The Corn Crib, Game Time Gym II, and for his church youth and young adult department he fell in love with Marketing. He is currently a graduate student pursuing his Master's in Digital Marketing at Lindenwood University.

Kate Arthur joined the Center for Civic Engagement in August 2022.

Beth Porter joined Illinois State University and the Center for Civic Engagement in June 2019. Prior to joining the Center, she worked at the Heyworth Public Library for 12 years, serving as the library director for 9 years of those years. She also worked at Unit 4 School District in Heyworth as a special education aide.

Porter is a graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in Political Science. Her passion is growing communities and outreach.

McKenna Myers earned her B.S. in secondary mathematics education with a minor in leadership studies from Ball State University in December 2020 and is currently a graduate student pursuing her Master’s in College Student Personnel Administration. During her undergraduate years, Myers was involved in the Cardinal Leadership and Service Seminar (a summer bridge/mentorship program), Student Voluntary Services, Cardinal Kitchen (an on-campus food pantry), College Mentors for Kids, and the Excellence in Leadership program at Ball State University. She also has experience as a Welcome Week leader, LateNite@BSU staff member, and an undergraduate intern for the Office of Admissions. In pursuit of her Leadership Studies minor, Myers assisted with and presented at the Beneficence Leadership Conference, an annual university-wide symposium for students.