Meet the Team
Title V: Caminos al Éxito
We are a team that has a shared purpose of helping students in their educational goals. As a team, we make sure students feel heard, empowered, and that they receive the support that they need for their college career and success beyond.
Northeastern Illinois University Éxito Staff
A lifelong Chicagoan, Tricia has a record of accomplishment in building family, community, and institutional programming and partnerships to strengthen educational offerings and college access.
Ms. Rosado has led college access initiatives for students and their families for over twenty-five years. Most recently, Tricia was named the acting Director of Chicago GEAR UP to lead the U.S. Department of Education grant at the Center for College Access and Success- Northeastern Illinois University. Additionally, she is the PI for the Title V Caminos al Exito cooperative grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education for Northeastern Illinois University. During her nineteen-year tenure with Chicago GEAR UP (CGU), she served in various capacities, including a College Access Coach, coordinating the city-wide student service plan, managing multiple schools as an Area Manager, and as the Assistant Director for three years.
Tricia is Latina and bilingual in English and Spanish, the first in her family to graduate from college, and is in the proposal phase of her Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry) at Illinois State University. Her service has been primarily in Black and Latino communities and with Chicago Public Schools. She won an Excellence in Leadership Award for the Northeastern Illinois University ENLACE Fellows Program, an NEIU Instructor and Academic Support Professional Excellence Award, and is a Diversifying Faculty in Illinois Fellow.
Willie Correa was born, raised and continues to reside in Humboldt park on the Northwest side of Chicago. He is a first-generation college two-time graduate from Northeastern Illinois University. He received his Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies and Masters in Higher Education Leadership with the Enlace program. He is also a proud CPS graduate from Prosser High School.
Willie has 20+ years of postsecondary experience in many different capacities working with GEAR UP Chicago. Willie aspires to guide as many youth to reach their short and long term goals that will help them have a successful future.
Willie's hobbies include watching, coaching and playing sports. He has volunteered for the past 24 years as a coach in various sports in different communities around the City of Chicago. He is also a huge Cubs fan! Go Cubs Go!
Wilbur Wright College Éxito Staff
Tatiana Gallegos is a Chicago native from the city’s Pilsen neighborhood. Tatiana has experience working in the K-8 and higher education pipeline and has dedicated her career to working with non-for-profit organizations that look to serve underrepresented populations from across the Chicago land area.
Tatiana completed her undergraduate studies at Dominican University as a Spanish Studies major where her love for language and study abroad travel blossomed. It was through her study abroad experience that she became a student ambassador and discovered her other passion for helping first-generation college students study abroad.
It was through this opportunity that she continued to work with students which led to her career in higher education. She continued her graduate studies at Northeastern Illinois University as part of the ENLACE program and received her Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership.
Elvira is a Chicago native and graduated from DePaul University. She started her academic career at Iowa State University in pursuit of a Psychology degree and ultimately discovered her fascination with society and social changes in Sociology. She is a first-generation college
graduate with a passion for guiding students throughout their college careers. Having previously served as an Admissions Specialist/Advisor at Wright College, Elvira is committed to helping students navigate college through a holistic and pro-active approach. She is enthusiastic about using her knowledge and life experience to help others find their own success.
NEIU Éxito Peer Coaches
David Canola
David Canola is a first-generation college student majoring in Physical Education at NEIU. He is a Wright College alumni, where he was a member of the PTK Honor Society, and received his AA in Accounting. A native of Ecuador, and fluent in both English and Spanish. He is an advocate for equality and is always motivated to share all of his experiences with underprivileged communities. In his spare time, he is a driver instructor at NOVA driving schools and a coach at Lil' Kickers. Working with new learners is one of his biggest passions because he loves to build confidence. Some of his other interests include playing soccer, water polo, running, biking, swimming, and exploring new things around the city. Amongst his goals are to become a high school P.E. teacher, and soccer coach.
Lilly Madrigal
Lilly Madrigal is a full-time student at Northeastern Illinois University. She is a transfer student from Wilbur Wright College and a current junior at NEIU. Lilly is majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Math and Science. She is also a Golden Apple Scholar of Illinois and upon graduating she hopes to work as a middle school STEM educator in an underserved community where she can give back to her students. Lilly is also enthusiastic about staying active, so in her spare time she works as an indoor cycling instructor at a studio called Cyclebar. Lilly also likes to ensure she is active within her school community so at NEIU she serves as the Secretary of the Student Government Association, an event coordinator with the NEIU programming Board, and serves as the social media content specialist of the MSTQE (Math, Science, and Technology for Quality Education) program.
Ulices Lopez
Ulices Lopez is a junior at Northeastern Illinois University. He is majoring in Communications, Media, and Theater with a minor in Journalism. Ulices is a transfer student from Wright College, where he graduated with an Associates degree in General Studies. He is a CPS graduate from Roosevelt High School. Ulices is fluent in both Spanish and English. He has 4 years of experience working with students and aiding them throughout their postsecondary careers.
Ulices enjoys playing sports and staying active. One of his favorite hobbies is going to the movie theater to watch movies and eat popcorn. Other hobbies include watching sports, TV shows, and professional wrestling. His goal is to one day work as a Social Media Manager for one of his favorite sports teams.
Carolina Nava
Carolina Nava was born and raised in Chicago. She is a senior Interning from the Northeastern Illinois University Social Work department. Currently Enrolled in her 4th year where she will soon graduate with a bachelor's in Social Work. She strives to work in the field with kids and young adults. A Proud CPS Graduate from Roosevelt High school. First Generation college attendee, ready to share experience and help those who struggle with the transition. Fluent in both Spanish and English. During her spare time, she likes to do interior decoration for friends and family.
Jesus Lopez
Jesus Lopez is a senior at Northeastern Illinois University. He joined the Caminos al Éxito team as a Social Work intern for the 2022-2023 academic year. Jesus transferred from Triton Community College where he studied for three years. At NEIU he has been a member of Student Government, he wanted to be more active and helpful to students. He worked to create programming for students living on campus. His hobbies include playing video games and watching tv shows and movies. Jesus enjoys listening to audio books and comic books. One of my favorite books is the Autobiography of Malcolm X.