After being admitted to Northern Illinois University (NIU),
was so excited to attend a four-year school. Like many freshmen, she started strong, but the first year was challenging. After navigating the pressures of her first year, Erika enrolled at Moraine Valley to take a few classes and return to NIU. She planned to enroll at Moraine Valley for one semester. However, Erika enjoyed the Moraine Valley experience so much that she decided to complete the college鈥檚 two-year program.
While attending Moraine Valley, she held student work positions in various on-campus jobs including the library, the gym and the McDonald鈥檚 that was on campus at that time.
鈥淥ne of my most meaningful student worker experiences was in the Registration Office where I learned about admission, registration, records processes and grade reports,鈥 Erika said. 鈥淭he person who led the department was knowledgeable, flexible and confident. Her leadership and efficiency in that office piqued my interest in careers in higher education.鈥
Erika鈥檚 interest in higher education was the springboard to much more. After earning an associate degree at Moraine Valley, Erika returned to NIU to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. She continued her studies, earning two master鈥檚 degrees, a Master of Arts in teaching from Chicago State University and a Master of Divinity with a Justice Ministry certificate from North Park Theological Seminary. In December 2024, she completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Leadership from Concordia University.
Today, Erika has realized her interest in higher education that started years ago.聽She currently is the for the College of Computing at Illinois Institute of Technology.
鈥淚 wear many hats at Illinois Tech. In many ways, I am the pitch hitter for special projects and programs,鈥 Erika said. 鈥淚n this position, I provide strategic leadership to expand undergraduate and graduate programs while overseeing international programs and transfer mapping for new global partnerships.鈥 She also leads the K-12 STEM Caf茅 outreach initiative, a university-wide flagship program that strengthens STEM engagement starting as early as elementary schools.
In addition to her dedication to higher education, Erika remains a writer at heart. She spent the last several years writing and being in journals, and publications. She is working on an autobiography and plans to publish a book of poetry. She enjoys travel, having visited four continents, most recently taking a trip to Paris. She enjoys serving in the ministry at her church and doing community work. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Through all of her many accomplishments, her role model and greatest inspiration is her mother, Minister Carolyn Burt, who passed away last year. 鈥淚 finished my Ph.D. in her honor and will continue to make her proud all the way to heaven,鈥 said Erika.
