Staff
Stacey Gilmore, Director
Stacey has been with Cox since October 2001. She received both a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies (emphasis in child development) and MA in Human Development and Family Studies (emphasis in Early Childhood Administration) from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Contact
Email: shemb1@uis.edu
Kerri Skrudland, Office Support Specialist
Kerri began working at the Cox Children’s Center in April 2019. She has a B.A. in Journalism.
Contact
Email: kskru2@uis.edu
Avery Beausoleil, Culinary Worker
Avery started working at the center in August 2022. He transitioned to a full-time employee in September 2024. He has a bachelor's degree in History and Middle Grades Education.
Contact
Email: cbeau3@uis.edu
Caterpillar Room
Meagan Wright, Child Development Associate
Meagan started working at the Cox Children’s Center in March 2012 as a student employee. Meagan became a permanent staff member in March 2013. She has her B.A. in Psychology. Meagan is currently taking classes to further her ECE education.
Contact
Email: mmcch2@uis.edu
Amanda House, Child Development Associate
Amanda has worked at the center since March 2022. She has a bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management.
Contact
Email: ahous9@uis.edu
Stars Room
Michelle Eveans, Child Development Associate
Michelle began working at the center in July of 2022. She has an associate's degree in Early Childhood Education.
Contact
Email: mevea2@uis.edu
Tamara Larcher-Keppler, Child Development Associate
Tamara began working at Cox in November 2006. She holds an associate’s degree in Applied Sciences-Child Care Services.
Contact
Email: tlarc2@uis.edu
Cardinal Room
Robin Eddington, Child Development Associate
Robin began working at the Cox Center in October 2019. She has her degree in Early Childhood Education.
Contact
Email: reddi3@uis.edu
Kristy Pittner, Child Development Associate
Kristy started at the center in September 2021. She graduated from Illinois College with a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education.
Contact
Email: kpitt4@uis.edu
Lincoln Room
Erika McCready, Child Development Associate
Erika began working at Cox in January 2020. She holds an associate’s degree in Psychology and Arts.
Contact
Email: emccr5@uis.edu
Butterfly Room
Kristin Kruger, Assistant Director
Kristin began working at the Cox Center in May 2008 as a student employee. Once she completed her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, she became a full-time staff member.
Contact
Email: kkrug2@uis.edu
Madison Blaum, Child Development Associate
Madison has worked at the center since February 2021. She began as a student employee and transitioned to a full-time employee in August 2024. She will finish her bachelor's degree in Educational Studies in December 2024.
Contact
Email: mblau3@uis.edu
Float Teachers
Emily Metcalf, Child Development Associate
Emily has worked at the center since March 2024. She has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education.
Contact
Rachel Hansen, Child Development Associate
Rachel has worked at the center since January 2023. She began as a student employee, but transitioned to full-time employment in December 2024. Rachel will graduate in spring 2025 with a bachelor's degree in Developmental Psychology with a Child Advocacy Studies certificate.
Contact
Email: rhans6@uis.edu
Student/Extra Help Employees
Ali Matthews (summer only)
Major: Elementary Education
Grace Mackey (summer only)
Major: Elementary Education