Maribeth Montgomery Kasik:  

n that order.) I was recruited into the PhD program at SIU-C and left to pursue my doctorate sometime in 1981... I went to school on a fellowship full time and fast track. I taught classes at SIU-C to help support my child and myself. (I also tutored children in my home and made money with my MaryKay business. I even met Mary Kay Ash herself!) I followed my mentor (while ABD)and taught as a Visiting Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, WI. and completed my Ph.D. in 1983... In 1984 my parents took ill and I returned to Illinois to become their caretaker to help pay them back for the help with my daughter while I was off in academia. I was offered numerous positions, but in 1984 decided to accept the faculty position at Governors State University in Illinois (A university established in 1969). I have been at GSU ever since. I was awarded tenure in 1988 and have won numerous awards for my teaching, research and service. I have been President of the Faculty Union and Administrative Chairperson of the largest department on campus (Education). I have also served on significant Higher Education councils. I am now the Coordinator of Special Education Program and concentrating on technology and research. I often present at conferences and have several professional publications. Recently I have been working on an American Memory project for the Library of Congress and have been an active genealogist since HS. I also had a bunch of non-paid volunteer jobs such as 13 years as the Children's Choir director at my church... and serve on the Board of Trustees of a Presbytery of Chicago.. etc. etc. etc. I had to eliminate the website URLs from my profile, but if you would like to visit some of my sites they can be viewed by going to my domain maribeth dot com.