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Meet Your Student Ambassadors
Connect with your Student Ambassador and learn how to engage in University life at Concordia-Chicago.
Ambassadors play an important role in shaping the future of the University by helping in the Undergraduate Admissions Offices, giving campus tours, talking to new students on the phone and participating in visit days.
Ruth Eatherton
Major: Elementary education (grades 1-6) (LTE) with minors in theology and middle grades literacy
Hometown: Sheboygan, WI
Campus Involvement: Wind Symphony
Get to know Ruth:
What are your career goals after graduation? My hopes after graduation are to teach Middle School English or elementary at a Lutheran school.
What study habits or techniques do you recommend? I love going off campus to find quiet spaces to focus! My favorites are the River Forest Library and Oak Park Coffee Shops.
What’s your favorite CUC event or tradition? Wind Symphony band tour is always a highlight for me! It’s so fun building community and many memories are made.
Campus Involvement: Campus Activity Board and Latino Student Union
Get to know Sarah:
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of academics? I'm involved in quite a bit. I’m the vice president of the Campus Activities Board, an RA for 3rd Jonathan Hall, a member of the Latino Student Union, and I also have an off-campus job at my home church.
What’s your favorite CUC event or tradition? My favorite event at CUC would have to be Bingo Night. It’s great to see everyone on campus come together, enjoy some friendly competition, and spend time with each other.
What passion projects or causes are you involved in? My passion project is my internship at my home church. I have been working there for 5 months now as an intern and it has been the best few months of my life.
Benjamin Hardy
Major: Secondary education – mathematics (LTE) with a minor in theology
Hometown: Clinton Township, MI
Campus Involvement: Football, Spiritual Life, RA
Get to know Ben:
What are your career goals after graduation? I'm studying to become a math teacher in secondary education with a minor in theology. I also want to coach football.
What’s your favorite course or professor, and why? My favorite classes are my math courses. Professor Goetting helps us really understand the material, and since I love math and problem-solving, it all just clicks.
What advice do you have for new students? My advice is to get your homework done as early as possible, so your future self doesn’t have to stress about it. Schedule your assignments and tests, so you can plan when to do more or less.
Benjamin Harrison
Major: Management with a minor in music
Hometown: South Burlington, VT
Campus Involvement: Wind Symphony, Student Government
Coming soon.
Lillian Hildebrand
Major: Elementary education (LTE) with a minor in theology and music
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of academics? I enjoy being involved in music and other activities. At Concordia, I am part of Kapelle (the touring choir) and Laudate (the women's choir). I have also joined the Ultimate Frisbee club and other intramurals for fun!
What’s a fun fact about you? I once took a 35-hour train trip (each way!) to the Grand Canyon with my family.
Why did you choose CUC? I chose CUC because of the community. When I visited, everyone was welcoming, and I could truly picture myself studying here and being a part of that community for my college experience! Also - the music and spiritual life opportunities are tremendous.
Grace King
Major: Elementary education (LTE) with a minor in theology
What’s your favorite course or professor? Literary Theory and Criticism with Doctor Rogner has been my favorite English course!
What’s your favorite campus memory? A favorite campus memory is the homecoming football game my sophomore year!
What’s your favorite CUC event or tradition? I love evening prayer offices and daily chapel. It’s so great to come together in worship every day with my peers and professors.
Zachary Sodergren
Major: Christian Ministry with a minor in theology
Hometown: Macomb, MI
Coming soon.
Syuzanna Syuhanova
Major: Biology
Hometown: Island Lake, IL
Campus Involvement: CULearn Tutor, Pre-Dentistry Club
Get to know Syuzy:
What are your career goals after graduation? I plan on going to graduate school after I finish my degree, specifically dental school, with hopes of becoming a dentist or pursuing a specialty.
What’s your favorite CUC event or tradition? Bingo nights at CUC are always fun and exciting when people come together to try to win a free prize.
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of academics? I like doing a variety of things, from reading books and watching shows to riding roller coasters and rock climbing. I also enjoy trying new activities, like crochet—I tried it last year with this school’s club and had so much fun!
Jacquelin Vega Martinez
Major: Marketing with minors in international business and graphic art
Hometown: Evanston, IL
Campus Involvement: Dance
Get to know Jacquelin:
What’s your favorite course, and why? My favorite course is Speech Communication because it has really helped me develop my public speaking skills. I also enjoyed being able to present on interesting, fun topics of my choice.
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of academics? I enjoy drawing/sketching, reading, and dancing. These hobbies help me relax and support my mental health.
What’s your favorite CUC event or tradition? My favorite event at CUC was the haunted house. It was so much fun to dress up as one of the monsters and see everyone’s reactions!
Jessica Garcia Vargas
Major: Marketing with minors in international business and graphic art
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Campus Involvement: Esports, Art Club
Get to know Jessica:
What’s your favorite course, and why? 21st Century Concepts of Marketing is my favorite subject because of the experience it gave me in my major.
What activities do you enjoy outside of academics? I love video games and crafts. It's a great way to enjoy my free time, which is why I always go to Esports and art club events.
What’s your favorite memory at Concordia? The events hosted by CUC are awesome—I even won a PS5 at Casino Night!
