Join us in applauding these accomplished Illinois State University alumni.
Championing student success
Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, Ed.D. ’06, was named 2025 Illinois Superintendent of the Year by the Illinois Association of School Administrators. She was also one of four finalists for the National Superintendent of the Year Award. The superintendent of Peoria Public Schools since 2015, Desmoulin-Kherat began her career as a middle school teacher. An administrator for more than 35 years, Desmoulin-Kherat’s vision for education is rooted in community involvement and a passion to provide opportunities for children to succeed.
Hitting a high note
Suzy Bogguss ’79 received one of country music’s highest honors by being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, on January 16, 2026. A graduate of the Wonsook Kim School of Art, Bogguss began her career by playing solo gigs in Normal. She went on to record six Top 10 country singles, one platinum album, and three certified gold albums. She also won a Grammy in 2005 for Best Traditional Folk Album. In September 2025, Bogguss was inducted into the Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Mid-Am magic
Brandon Holtz ’10 won the U.S. Mid-Amateur Golf Championship on September 18, 2025, at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, earning an invitation to the esteemed 2026 Masters Tournament and the 2026 U.S. Open. The former Illinois State basketball guard played professional golf full time from 2010 to 2014 before regaining his amateur golf status in 2024. Holtz, who earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the College of Business, lives in Bloomington and is a real estate agent for RE/MAX Rising.
Chicago style
Liz Flores ’12 made her mark on two of Chicago’s most popular professional teams by designing the Chicago Cubs’ 2025 Hispanic and Latino Heritage Celebration jersey and a hat for the Chicago Bulls’ 2025 Artist Series. Flores, a Chicago-based artist and College of Business graduate, said her Cubs jersey design was inspired by the geometric patterns and embroidery found in traditional Latino garments. Her Bulls hat included a quote in Spanish on the side that translates to “from Chicago to the world.”
