You can contact an officer by email at ntfc6546@gmail.com. Please put “ATTN: NameOfOfficer” in the subject line of your message.
President
Theresa Dobbs (she/her) is a Senior Instructor in the Department of Mathematics. She is a former member of GEO and MTEA (the teacher’s union in her hometown of Milwaukee, Wis). Theresa has been an NTFC member since 2021 and served as NTFC Comms Chair in 2023-2024.
Vice-President
Zuofu Cheng is a Teaching Associate Professor, in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Treasurer
Eben Alguire (they/them) is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Theatre Department where they focus on creative problem solving, iterative design, and destigmatizing the perception of “failure” in their BFA program, “Arts and Entertainment Technology.” In parallel with this, they are active in their industry organizations, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology and the Entertainment Services and Technology Association, where they advocate for neurodivergent accessibility and representation. They’ve been a union member whenever possible, including laying the groundwork for the University of Pittsburgh Staff organizing effort. They can often be found taking on more projects than can be advisable.
Secretary
Leah Marie Becker (she/her) is a Lecturer in the Department of English, teaching classes in rhetoric, professional writing, and environmental writing. While this is her first leadership position within the NTFC, she previously advocated for students’ and workers’ rights as a graduate student at Illinois, serving as a member of the Students Advising on Graduate Education (SAGE) board and as a graduate representative to the CAS Academic Standards Committee. She is passionate about teaching, standing up to injustice, and spending as much time as possible snuggling with her Scottish Terrier, MacDougal.
Bargaining Research Chair
Dani Nyikos (they/them) is a Lecturer in the English Department, who teaches classes in rhetoric, creative writing, and video game writing. They particularly love storytelling that engages with complex and difficult issues. They also enjoy staying up late at night thinking about the vastness of the universe. Dani served as co-lead negotiator, together with Rachel Fein-Smolinski, during the 2024 contract bargaining.
Communications Chair
Marisa Peacock (she/her) is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Advertising, with interests in social media strategy, public relations, and content management. She became UIUC faculty and an NTFC member in 2019. Since 2023, she has served on the NTFC Stewards Council and Contract Action Team. She is also pursuing her MFA in design at UIUC.
Grievance Chair
Katrina Gaffney (she/her) is a Lecturer in the Department of English. She is a former member of GEO and has been a member of NTFC since 2023, serving as a steward from 2024-2025 and grievance chair from 2025-2026. She teaches courses in creative writing and composition/first-year writing.
Chief Steward
Lindsey Stirek (any/all) is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the School of Art & Design and a practicing artist of calligraphy and the Japanese Way of Tea. They began working at UI in 2020 and joined the union for Visiting Academic Professionals. In 2022, she received her PhD from Ohio State and began working as a specialized faculty member in Art & Design teaching manga, anime, and Japanese arts. He has been an NTFC steward since 2023 and served on the grievance committee since 2024.
