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Alexis and Angelina Badami share more than just a last name. The sisters are expected to become double alumnae of ������� this August.

Alexis (B.A. ’24 Mathematics, current student M.A. Teaching — Secondary Education) earned her associate’s degree from Harper College in the Spring of 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, and was looking for a place to earn her bachelor's degree. She had recently shifted her focus from mechanical engineering to teaching math. So, she did what many people do when they have a question: she turned to Google.

“I was searching for schools to transfer to on Google and found �����о���n,” Alexis said. “I hadn't even heard of �����о���n to be completely honest. And I was like, ‘Mom, I heard of the school. What do you think?’ She goes, ‘Oh my gosh, yeah, that's like known to be a teaching college.’”

Then, her mom shared something else: Alexis and Angelina’s late father, John Badami — who was a teacher — also went to �����о���n. He completed a teaching entitlement program in Elementary Education: Math in May 1996.

“So then it just felt meant to be,” Alexis said.

Due to the pandemic, Alexis didn’t end up attending �����о���n right away. As she neared the end of her first semester at �����о���n in 2022, Angelina (BSW ’24, current student MSW), was finishing up her associate’s degree from Harper College and wanted to pursue a career in social work. Alexis encouraged her sister to go to �����о���n because she thought it would be a good fit for both of them.

“It was really smart economically,” Alexis said. “This is a school where a lot of students work, which was important because we both worked throughout our whole college experience. People who work go here. �����о���n is really flexible in classes because of that, and we can live at home and go to school and get these great degrees in exactly what we needed our degrees in. It really just felt like the right move for us.”

The decision became all the more special when they were able to commute together during Angelina’s first year.

“It was actually really fun to be going to school together because we were aligned enough with our schedules where it made sense to travel together,” Angelina said. “We would also have these gaps where we’d just wait for each other, but we also had gaps at the same time so we would go to a lot of events on campus.”

They recalled enjoying the Weeks of Welcome events where they had tacos and desserts. They also enjoyed attending events in the Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Cultural Affairs where they were able to grow friendships and make lasting memories.

“We went to a women's event at the Pedroso Center, a sip and paint, and that was really, really fun,” Alexis said. “I think that was finally when we felt like this is our school. We were getting involved and met a lot of other women and just had a good time. They made it so approachable. Anyone could come and paint this guided picture. They had food and we just sat and talked and got to meet new people.”

Alexis and Angelina also said that the University’s faculty greatly impacted their journey and they are grateful to be taught by teachers who care about them and their success.

Angelina said she had a moment in a social work class taught by Daniel Fitzgerald when she knew for certain that social work was the right path for her. His motivation and advice throughout the class made a significant impact on her.

“He really assured me and I felt like these are my people,” Angelina said. “I think, just  looking around the classroom, I was surrounded by so many other social workers and thought, ‘Oh my gosh we're so alike! We have pretty much similar gifts and it's just really cool that we all get to use similar gifts to be in this field.’”

Fitzgerald is excited that Angelina is finishing up her degree and is excited for her to enter the social work field in a professional capacity.

"I am so proud of Angelina," Fitzgerald said. "Her hard work has paid off and now she will start fulfilling her purpose of helping and supporting people. I have joyful memories of Angelina in my Social Work classes. Her curiosity and thoughtfulness always stood out for me. The best is yet to come for her!"  

For Alexis, faculty members, including Nancy Wrinkle, Ph.D., Anastasia Brelias, Ph.D., and Quintin Clemons made an impression.

“Dr. Wrinkle was my advisor and I had three classes with her,” Alexis said. “She was so helpful. Even though they were just straight up math classes, she knew a lot of us were wanting to be math teachers, and she would really help us to both deeply understand the math and get practice in teaching. There would always be a project that required some teaching skill. She’s been so supportive throughout my whole time at �����о���n. This has been true of every professor I have had. It is obvious they care for their students and they want to see us succeed. They're not trying to trick us out or make you feel like, ‘if you fail, you fail.’ They're actually wanting us to succeed and do as well as we possibly can.”

Dr. Wrinkle recalls meeting Alexis when she transferred to �������n.

“She was so positive and enthusiastic, and her mathematics skills were simply top notch,” Dr. Wrinkle said. “I know she is going to make a fantastic math teacher because of how relentlessly positive and optimistic she was in my classes, while always keeping the mathematics in mind.”

Alexis and Angelina are excited to earn their master’s degrees this summer and are proud to have followed in their father’s footsteps.

“I would 100% recommend for people to come to NEIU because I feel like whatever walk of life you're in, NEIU is for you,” Alexis said.  “No matter your age, no matter your race, your gender identity, your socioeconomic background, whatever it is, you are meant to be there. There's so much diversity and that's what makes it fun and exciting.”

Angelina echoed her sister’s sentiments.

“I learned so much from my classmates, their own experiences and how passionate they were,” Angelina said. “We kind of kept each other accountable throughout our studies. This university isn't just for 20 year olds. It’s for everyone who wants to get an education, use their skills and learn more.” 
 

Top photo (from left to right): Angelina and Alexis Badami