University of Illinois at Chicago Office of Public Affairs (MC 288)
601 S. Morgan St., Chicago, IL 60607-7113, (312) 996-3456, www.uic.edu/depts/paff

June 7, 2001

Contact: Jeffron Boynés (312) 413-8702; jboynes@uic.edu

COLLEGIATE ENTREPRENEURS' ORGANIZATION DIRECTOR NAMED AT UIC

The University of Illinois at Chicago has appointed Lee Kite national director of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization, an organization founded at UIC that encourages student involvement in entrepreneurship activities. The appointment is subject to the approval of the university's Board of Trustees.

In making the announcement, organization founder and UIC entrepreneurship professor Gerald Hills said he is confident Kite will "accelerate the growth of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization."

Kite comes to UIC from OMNI Youth Services in Buffalo Grove, Ill., where she served as director of volunteer services and, later, as director of public affairs. She earned a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master's degree in education from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.

"I am very excited about becoming the national director of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization," said Kite. "The increasing interest in entrepreneurship among college students is impressive, and the business community's willingness to become involved will definitely contribute to fulfilling the organization's goals."

Kite will be responsible for directing the organization's operations. Major responsibilities will include annual conference planning, coordinating various marketing-related activities and expanding Internet-based member benefits.

Founded at UIC's Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization is a national network of entrepreneurship students. The institute, recognized by Success magazine as the third leading entrepreneurship program in the United States, was among the first entrepreneurship studies programs in the country.

- UIC -