March 12, 2025
Two Awards Presented to College of Architecture Staff
In a first for the College of Architecture, two of its staff members have been honored simultaneously by Illinois Institute of Technology: Office and Finance Manager Christine Manuel and Director of Academic Affairs Cynthia Torres each received staff awards for their outstanding contributions to the university in 2024.
The first award category, titled Addressing Issues Related to Diversity, Identity, Inclusion, and Other Social Justice Topics, was presented to Manuel during the Illinois Tech Staff Service and Excellence Awards on January 30, 2025. Fabrication Center Manager Brick Cassidy and Associate Professor Eva Kultermann submitted Manuel for the award.
Manuel noticed students who were struggling with finances at the end of a semester and created the Student Emergency Fund, an easy-to-access, donor-funded pool of money for financial emergencies. “Our friends and alumni were delighted to support our students in this way,” according to Dean Reed Kroloff. “And no one was surprised to learn that the idea originated with Christine.”
Describing Manuel in their nomination, Cassidy and Kultermann stated that “through tough times over recent years, she has kept her drive and direction in line day in and day out. Christine is constantly there for faculty, staff, and students, knowing how to fix any problem that comes her way with grace and efficiency.”
Torres was presented with the award for the category of Innovative Solutions that Improve the Experience of Illinois Tech Students and/or Alumni. Kultermann nominated Torres for the award after her 10 years as director of academic affairs.
“Whether it’s entering a registration permit, sharing a new scholarship opportunity, finding the right teaching assistant for a class or department, or guiding our students across the Commencement stage, I’m happy just knowing I tried to make someone’s life a little easier that day,” Torres says.
Many faculty, staff, and students know Torres as the founder and author of the college’s weekly newsletters. She was a pioneer in the college by embracing and developing the use of mass email communications, from news updates to suggested student courses.