Renee Czeryba

Dear Illini Family,

Welcome to the Illini Moms Association! It is my deep honor to serve as your President, and I am so glad you have found your way to our community.

Founded in 1923, the Illini Moms Association is the oldest university moms' board in the country. For more than a century, we have promoted the welfare and interests of University of Illinois students and supported the families who love them. Stepping into this role, I feel both humbled and inspired by the legacy our members have built over 103 years.

Whether you are a mom, stepmom, grandmother, aunt, guardian, or any kind of mother figure to a University of Illinois student, you belong here. Our Association is a community for anyone who loves an Illini student like a mom does.

My Story

This role means more to me than I can fully put into words, not just because of the incredible organization this is, but because of the journey that brought me here.

Like many of you, I came to the University of Illinois through my child. I was a first-generation college student myself, raised by immigrant parents who never had the opportunity to pursue higher education. My dad's schooling ended after the seventh grade, before he immigrated to America, but his belief in what education could do for his children never did. Education was not something handed to me; it was something I had to figure out on my own. And I did, earning degrees from Loyola University Chicago and the Illinois Institute of Technology.

But if you had asked me growing up what I wanted to be one day, my answer was always the same: I wanted to be a mom. And being a mom has been the greatest gift, role, and privilege of my life.

Today, I am also the proud mom of a University of Illinois student. My son is a junior here, and watching him grow, learn, and build his own path at this wonderful university has been so rewarding, and like many of you, I have learned that "staying connected" sometimes means waiting for a text, or a Snap, back.

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What We Are About

Serving as Vice President this past year gave me an even deeper appreciation for what our Association represents. We are not just about events like Moms Weekend, as special as those are. We are about:

• Connection — making sure that even as our children grow more independent, they, and we, still feel part of something bigger.

• Community — building friendships among moms and mom figures who share a love for their Illini students.

• Impact — funding scholarships that help students pursue their education in ways that might not otherwise be possible.

With Gratitude to Our Board and Supporting Partners

None of the work we do would be possible without the dedication of our Illini Moms Association Board of Directors and our partners at the Office of New Student and Family Experiences. Their commitment, creativity, and heart drive everything we do. 

I also want to recognize our friends at the Illini Dads Association. We are proud to collaborate with them in support of our students and families. Together, we help create a true sense of belonging for Illini families. I am grateful to step into this role alongside this group, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together.

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We Would Love to Have You Involved

Whether your student is a brand-new freshman or a soon-to-be graduate, whether you live in Illinois, across the country, or around the world, and whether you are a mom or a mom figure of any kind, there is a place for you here. No prior experience needed.

There are many ways to get involved:

• Join our board and help shape the future of our Association.

• Volunteer on a committee, help plan events, or lend your time and talents in ways big or small.

• Attend Moms Weekend and other special events throughout the year.

• Support our scholarship fund so we can continue making a difference in students' lives.

If any of this speaks to you, please reach out. I would personally love to hear from you and help you find the right way to connect.

Go Illini!

With gratitude, 

Renee Czeryba

President, Illini Moms Association
📧 president.illinimoms@gmail.com
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