Thomas has been an academic adviser at SIU for over 25 years. He is committed to serving and advising students at SIUC. He advises students in Liberal Arts English, History, Foreign Languages, Linguistics, Philosophy, and University Studies.
Languages, Cultures & International Studies (LCIS)
Linguistics (LING)
Philosophy (PHIL)
Raquel is an academic advisor who graduated from SIU with a BA in English and later completed an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Kentucky. Raquel enjoys guiding students toward a major path that best fits their interests, skills, and long-term goals. Her interest in helping students began as an undergraduate when she worked as a tutor at the Writing Center and as a writing tutor for student athletes. Raquel is originally from Carbondale and likes to spend her free time writing, reading, and admiring the idyllic landscape of Southern Illinois.
A graduate of Austin Peay State University in Tennessee, Lisa is a recent transplant to the Southern Illinois community, having moved to Murphysboro in 2022. Lisa has fallen in love with the beauty and charm of Southern Illinois; she has a 6-year-old daughter, she and her family spend a lot of time exploring local parks and browsing the amazing farmers markets. Professionally, Lisa spent 5 years advising undergraduate students in areas ranging from Criminal Justice, Management, and Leadership in an accelerated program for adults; here she also discovered her love of helping people achieve their highest goals. Lisa joined the SIU College of Liberal Arts advising team in March 2025 and is excited to share her love of learning with SIU Salukis! Personally, Lisa is a lifelong reader, a Nintendo gamer, and loves cats.
Steve is the academic advisor for students in Anthropology, Communication Studies, Political Science, Pre-Law, and Sociology He served in the Navy before college and holds a BA in Philosophy and an MFA in Creative Writing, both from SIU Carbondale. Steve joined advisement at the beginning of 2022. Prior to that, he worked for 21 years in Morris Library and taught ENGL 101 and 102 classes for 3 years as a graduate student. His extensive past at SIU makes him an excellent resource for students trying to navigate the system. He enjoys coffee and problem solving. His further interests are varied, including drawing, exercise, organic farming, and cat wrangling.
Brien grew up in Denver Colorado, finished high school at Carbondale Community High School and has been here ever since. He is an SIU Alumnus in Philosophy. Brien traveled around the country playing ultimate (frisbee) for many years before settling down, started at SIU at the Clinical Center in 2009 and has been in several positions before his current one. His son is a junior in high school who is a great kid and loves to play video games. At SIU Brien enjoys the process of helping students, whether it's navigating the maze of Faner Hall or the maze of getting through college.
