Chris Deegan
Director

Chris joined UIC as the Director of Study Abroad in May 2004. He earned his Masters degree in Asian Studies at the University of Hawaii and then continued graduate work as a Degree Fellow with the East West Center in Honolulu . His doctoral fieldwork focused on cultural geography and identity in a central India river valley through its unique pilgrim circulation pattern. An introduction to that research is published as: "The Narmada : Circumambulation of a Sacred Landscape", in Hinduism and Ecology: The Intersection of Earth, Sky, and Water , Chappel and Tucker (editors). Harvard University Press. 2000.

Prior to his work in international education, for over a decade he was a research consultant in India for international and non-governmental organizations. He worked on issues ranging from the tensions between agricultural production and cultural practice, to disease eradication strategies in vulnerable rural communities. He presents regularly on all these themes at conferences, seminars, and professional association meetings.

Following many years on the sub-continent, he began a second career in international education. He spent three years as a study abroad Program Director in India and a dozen years as a college administrator and consultant developing curricula and overseeing academic study abroad programs in locations as diverse as Mongolia, Viet Nam, India, and the Pacific island nations of Fiji and Samoa. Send an e-mail? deegan @uic.edu

Irina Krymova
Assistant Director

Irina holds a Bachelor's degree in Oriental Studies and Chinese Linguistics from Moscow State University , Russia .  During her undergraduate career, Irina participated in an academic year study abroad program at Beijing Foreign Studies University , China .  Irina strongly believes that study abroad is a unique opportunity to study culture "inside" and an experience every student should have.  She received her MBA at UIC in 2002.  Send an e-mail? krymova@uic.edu

Albert Miliauskas
Senior Academic Advisor

Albert Miliauskas joined the UIC Study Abroad Office as a Peer Advisor in August of 2004. Albert earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at the University of Illinois at Chicago in May of 2005. After graduation he became a full-time Academic Advisor. While an undergraduate, he participated in the Baltic Studies Program at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas , Lithuania . He is excited to share his personal travel and study abroad experience with UIC students. amilia1@uic.edu

Krystal McPherson
Academic Advisor

Krystal McPherson joined the UIC Study Abroad Office as a student worker in July of 2006. Krystal earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago in May of 2007. After graduating, she became a full-time academic advisor. As an undergraduate, she was very active in student organizations and received many honors and awards related to student leadership. She was the President of the AAAN Ambassadors, the Student Advisor for the Unity in Christ Gospel Chorus, and Chair for the UIC Community Service Committee. Having recently returned from a program site visit to China, she is eager to help UIC students fulfill their interest in studying abroad. Contact her at kmcphe1@uic.edu.

Brad Elwood
Visiting Academic Advisor

Brad first joined UIC Study Abroad as an intern in spring 2008. As an undergraduate, he majored in International Studies and minored in Spanish at Seattle University. In May of 2008 Brad obtained a M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs from Loyola University Chicago. Brad is passionate about international education. He has studied in Switzerland, Spain, Israel and Turkey. On top of studying overseas, he has traveled to over 20 countries on four continents. Send an e-mail? belwood@uic.edu