Distinguished Alumni

Dr. Catherine Roe has built a distinguished career researching Alzheimer's disease, with a particular focus on detecting the disease before symptoms of memory loss and cognitive decline appear. She earned her doctorate from Southern Illinois University, studying clinical and experimental psychology with an emphasis on learning, memory and cognition, before spending more than 21 years in the departments of neurology and biostatistics at Washington University School of Medicine.

At Washington University, Roe studied biomarkers — measurable biological indicators that can reveal the presence of Alzheimer's disease in the brain and body. Her research focused particularly on preclinical Alzheimer's, a stage in which biological evidence of the disease is present even though an individual has not yet developed noticeable problems with memory, thinking or everyday cognitive function.

A major focus of Roe's research examined whether changes in driving behavior could provide early clues to the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Her research team installed monitoring equipment in the vehicles of more than 350 participants, allowing researchers to continuously study how cognitively healthy individuals drove their own vehicles during their normal daily routines.

The research found that subtle changes in everyday driving behavior could indicate the presence of preclinical Alzheimer's disease and help predict which participants would later develop symptoms. The findings offered researchers another potential way to recognize the progression of Alzheimer's before traditional symptoms become apparent.

Roe has published more than 125 peer-reviewed scientific articles and received numerous federal and foundation grants supporting her research. She has served on scientific editorial boards and reviewed research for more than 40 journals, including JAMA, Neurology and Nature Aging.

Her research accomplishments also led to her selection by the National Institutes of Health to serve on its Human Complex Mental Functions Study Section, evaluating and ranking scientific grant proposals for potential federal funding. Internationally, she has reviewed research proposals for organizations in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom supporting Alzheimer's and other scientific research.

Roe is also co-inventor of Assessing Dementia 8 (AD8), a brief screening tool designed to identify early changes in memory, orientation, judgment and everyday functioning associated with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The screening tool is now widely used around the world.

Before entering academia, Roe worked in the private sector as a research manager for Express Scripts and director of research at Masters and Johnson.

Throughout her career, Roe has maintained a strong connection to Southern Illinois University and credits SIU and its psychology program with providing the education, experiences and friendships that helped establish the foundation for her professional success.

Dr. Heather Tillewein, ‘19

Young Alumni Achievement

Dr. Heather Tillewein is an Assistant Professor of Public Health at Austin Peay State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Health Education from Southern Illinois University and her Master of Public Health from the University of Missouri.

Tillewein’s research focuses on sexual and reproductive health, LGBTQ+ health disparities, sexual violence prevention, substance use, and rural health inequities. Her work has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Archives of Sexual Behavior, Journal of Homosexuality, American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, and AIDS Care.

In 2025, Tillewein received the Outstanding Theoretical Paper Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality for her research on sexual violence and revictimization among rural LGBTQ+ communities. In 2024, she was honored with the Ayman El-Mohandes Young Professional Public Health Innovation Award from the American Public Health Association. She has also been recognized as a 40 Under 40 Public Health Catalyst Award recipient and named a Health Innovator to Watch by the Boston Congress of Public Health.

Tillewein has led and contributed to several significant public health initiatives. As Principal Investigator on a $375,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Health, she led healthcare-associated infection data validation efforts while supervising and training six student researchers in CDC-aligned protocols. She has also served as Project Leader on an NIH/NIDA supplement focused on transgender engagement in rural harm reduction initiatives.

A national leader in public health, Tillewein serves in leadership roles within several professional organizations, including the Evidentiary Review Committee, Committee on Women’s Rights, APHA DEIA Advisory Group, and Governing Council of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Section of the American Public Health Association. Previously, she served as Chair of the Scientific Program and as a Member-at-Large on the Board of Directors for the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality.

Through her research, teaching, and service, Tillewein advances evidence-based public health practice and policy with a focus on health equity, prevention, and social justice.

Renée J. Johnson, ‘19

Innovation Award

Renée J. Johnson is a nationally recognized leader in entrepreneurial ecosystem development whose career has focused on expanding opportunity for small businesses, particularly women and underserved entrepreneurs. A graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Johnson has spent more than two decades bridging public policy, nonprofit leadership and national strategy to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems and drive inclusive economic growth.

Johnson began her career on Capitol Hill and in government, serving with members of the Illinois congressional delegation—including Sens. Richard Durbin and Roland Burris, Rep. Bobby Rush—and later with Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser. Those experiences shaped her understanding of how public policy, access to capital and institutional systems influence entrepreneurial success and inspired her commitment to creating more equitable pathways for business owners.

She later served as national training director for former First Lady Michelle Obama's The United State of Women, where she designed and led the Galvanize Program. The initiative provided leadership, entrepreneurship and civic engagement training to more than 10,000 women across 10 states, equipping participants with the skills and networks needed to lead in business, public service and their communities.

Today, Johnson serves as vice president of ecosystems and strategic partnerships for the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, the nation's leading organization dedicated to advancing economic opportunity for small and microbusinesses. She develops national strategies that connect entrepreneurs with capital, policymakers and support organizations while strengthening opportunities for rural, veteran and underserved business owners. She also created AEO's first Regional and Industry Council model, bringing together leaders from across sectors to better align regional economic priorities with federal policy.

Johnson remains committed to mentoring future leaders through civic engagement and board service, including her role with The Campaign School at Yale Law School. Her career reflects the power of innovative leadership, strategic collaboration and public service to expand economic opportunity nationwide while exemplifying the values of Southern Illinois University.

Hilla Medalia, '01, '04

Diversity and Inclusion

Hilla Medalia is an internationally acclaimed Israeli documentary filmmaker, producer, and writer whose award-winning films have brought global attention to stories of conflict, resilience, and the human experience. A graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Medalia earned her master's degree in Film and Television, where she transformed a student thesis project into her first feature-length documentary, To Die in Jerusalem. The film premiered at the Jerusalem Film Festival, aired on HBO, and marked the beginning of a distinguished international career in documentary filmmaking.

Since launching her career, Medalia has become one of Israel's most respected documentary filmmakers. Her work has been featured by HBO, Netflix, PBS, BBC, ARTE, and other major broadcasters, while screening at premier film festivals including Sundance, Tribeca, Toronto, Hot Docs, IDFA, and the Cannes Film Festival. Through her films, she explores complex issues ranging from war and peace to identity, justice, and human rights, always centering the personal stories that illuminate larger global events.

Her recent documentary credits include Oscar-nominated films Children No More: Were and Are Gone, Holding Liat, which won at the Berlin Film Festival, Innocence, Mourning in Lod, Prisoner X, and H2: The Occupation Lab. Collectively, her films have earned numerous international honors, including a Peabody Award and six Emmy Award nominations, and have established Medalia as a leading voice in contemporary documentary cinema.

Medalia often credits her time at Southern Illinois University Carbondale as a pivotal step in her development as a filmmaker. The University's emphasis on independent storytelling and documentary filmmaking provided the creative foundation that launched a career spanning more than two decades. Today, through Medalia Productions, she continues to create films that foster dialogue, challenge assumptions, and demonstrate the power of documentary storytelling to connect people across cultures and perspectives.

Danny "Red Dog" Abbott, ‘01

Saluki Spirit

Danny "Red Dog" Abbott is a proud Southern Illinois University alumnus whose years of unwavering support for Saluki Baseball have made him one of the most recognizable and beloved figures at Itchy Jones Stadium. A fixture on "The Hill" since the early 2010s, Abbott, along with the rest of The Hill Gang, has transformed baseball games into a tradition that embodies the spirit of Saluki pride, hospitality and community.

As one of the founding members of The Hill Gang, Abbott has helped cultivate one of the most distinctive fan experiences in college baseball. The group, composed of devoted alumni and community supporters, gathers in a green space just outside the third base line at every home game, where the aroma of charcoal grill fills the air and the ringing of the gang’s bell. While their baseball activities have become their signature, Abbott and the group are equally supportive of all Saluki Athletics programs, regularly in the stands or bleachers at football and basketball games, at home and away. The group's philosophy has always been simple: support the players, grow the fan base, and preserve one of SIU Athletics' most cherished traditions.

Abbott has become especially well known for serving complimentary hot dogs to fellow Saluki fans, students, visiting families, and anyone who stops by to share in the experience. His generosity has created countless friendships among alumni, current students, parents of players, and opposing fans alike, turning strangers into members of the extended Saluki family. Parents have often remarked that Abbott makes them feel at home.

Abbott's welcoming personality and steadfast enthusiasm began all the way back in his high school days in Carbondale, when he was known as “Footwork” for his center court dances during halftime. He has been an enthusiastic ambassador for Southern Illinois University baseball and all athletics for decades. His volunteerism and generosity exemplify what it means to foster the Saluki Spirit.

Leslie Patterson, '03

Volunteer Service

Leslie (Tepen) Patterson graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. During her time at SIU, she gained valuable hands-on experience as a staff member of the Daily Egyptian, the University’s student-run newspaper, where she developed the writing, editing, and storytelling skills that have shaped her professional career.

For more than two decades, Patterson has built a successful career in copy editing and proofreading, helping organizations communicate clearly and effectively through marketing, advertising, and public relations materials. Her professional experience spans a variety of industries, including agriculture, architecture, and higher education. As the owner of a freelance editorial business, she partners with advertising agencies, marketing professionals, and organizations to provide expert copy editing and proofreading services that strengthen their messaging and ensure polished, professional communications.

Patterson’s passion for SIU and commitment to supporting students has been a defining part of her service to the University community. In 2004, she joined the SIU Alumni Association’s St. Louis Chapter, where she quickly became an active and dedicated volunteer. She helped launch the chapter’s annual Trivia Night fundraiser, an event that has become a signature gathering for St. Louis-area Salukis and played an instrumental role in establishing the chapter’s scholarship program. The St. Louis Chapter Scholarship recently reached its endowment goal, creating a lasting legacy of support for future generations of SIU students.

Having personally benefited from scholarships during her time as a student, Patterson understands the transformative impact that financial support can have on a student’s educational journey. She considers one of the most rewarding aspects of her alumni involvement to be meeting scholarship recipients, hearing their stories, and seeing firsthand how the generosity of alumni can help students achieve their goals. Through her continued involvement with the St. Louis Chapter, Leslie enjoys creating connections among Salukis and sharing her pride in the University with fellow alumni.

Beyond her professional and alumni service, Patterson is dedicated to her local community. She lives in Collinsville, Illinois, with her husband, Steve, and their 12-year-old daughter, Margot. She volunteers at her daughter’s school, serving on the school board and supporting a variety of fundraising initiatives throughout the year. Whether through her professional work, volunteer efforts, or commitment to SIU, Leslie continues to make a meaningful impact by helping others tell their stories, build connections, and create opportunities for the future.

Maggie Stacey, '26

Outstanding Student Achievement

Maggie Stacey graduated in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management, earning the distinction of Summa Cum Laude. During her time at SIU, Maggie kept busy in the Saluki community. She was involved with the Student Alumni Council, Saluki Ambassadors, Saluki Ad Lab, and College of Business Ambassadors. Her leadership and commitment to her field were also recognized when she received the Outstanding Senior in Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management Award.

Maggie has continued her commitment to SIU after graduation. Very recently, she joined the SIU Alumni Association staff. Her roles include supporting alumni events and student programming.

She is pursuing a master’s degree in Communication Studies at SIU, continuing her academic journey as she finds new ways to contribute to the university she proudly calls home.

Sydney Bailey, '26

Outstanding Student Achievement

Sydney Bailey is a May 2026 graduate of SIU. She majored in Business Management with a specialization in Entrepreneurship and a minor in Public Administration. Sydney’s career goal is to own and operate a vintage retail store focused on sustainability, affordability, and ethical business practices. She also wants to create a welcoming space for community connection and creative expression.

Sydney was deeply involved in activities during her time on campus. She was President of the Student Alumni Council and Saluki Market Intern with the SIU Alumni Association her senior year. She was also a leader in the local chapter of the American Marketing Association, where she served as Director of Social Impact & Community for three years, mentoring more than 30 first-generation students as a Peer Mentor.

Many of Sydney’s favorite memories at SIU came from building community through student organizations (volunteering, leading meetings, and connecting with alumni), which helped shape her confidence and leadership skills, making SIU feel like home. She would average 40 to 50 hours volunteering each semester and loved finding ways to give back to the university and Carbondale communities.