IMSA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Annual Meeting
July 19, 2025, 12:45pm
Academic Pit (Ac Pit)
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
1500 West Sullivan Road
Aurora, Illinois
CANDIDATES
During the IMSA Alumni Association Annual Meeting, the association is to elect Officers and At-Large Members for the upcoming service year. At our 2025 meeting, the following positions are up for election, along with statements from each candidate:
1. President (2-year term: August 31, 2025-August 31, 2027) [select up to one]
DANIEL COLLINS, 2015
Four years ago, I decided to strengthen my ties with IMSa by running to be an At-Large Member of IAA. I had just graduated with my master’s and was about to start my first full-time job, so reconnecting with IMSA offered some much-needed stability. At the end of my first term as an At-Large Member, the IAA Officers asked me to step into the role of Secretary, and I have held this position for the past three years. Now, as I prepare to begin the next chapter of my career by returning to the Chicagoland area to pursue a PhD at Northwestern University, I hope to recommit myself to the IAA once again in the new role of President.
While serving in the IAA—first as a cabinet member, then as an officer—I have learned much about the inner workings of the organization and its relationship with IMSA. As President, my priorities would be increasing the transparency of our operations and improving our lines of communication with IMSA. As Secretary, I have made inroads in terms of transparency by consolidating institutional memory and working with the other officers to clearly articulate our policies. Additionally, in my communications with IMSA, I have emphasized clear expectations and consistent follow-through, which have helped the IAA achieve its goals, including consistently recognizing alumni for their contributions to Intersession. As President, I would hope to build on these successes by refreshing IAA’s policies to better suit our alumni’s current needs and revitalizing our communication with IMSA to promote more joint endeavors.
Though I am unable to attend this year’s Annual Meeting in person, I am looking forward to returning to Illinois this fall and reconnecting with alumni throughout the Chicagoland area. While I am primarily running for President, I would welcome the opportunity to continue serving the IAA in my current role of Secretary or previous role of At-Large Member. Thank you for your consideration!
2. Secretary (2-year term: August 31, 2025-August 31, 2027) [select up to one]
DANIEL COLLINS, 2015
Four years ago, I decided to strengthen my ties with IMSA by running to be an At-Large Member of IAA. I had just graduated with my master’s and was about to start my first full-time job, so reconnecting with IMSA offered some much-needed stability. At the end of my first term as an At-Large Member, the IAA Officers asked me to step into the role of Secretary, and I have held this position for the past three years. Now, as I prepare to begin the next chapter of my career by returning to the Chicagoland area to pursue a PhD at Northwestern University, I hope to recommit myself to the IAA once again in the new role of President.
While serving in the IAA—first as a cabinet member, then as an officer—I have learned much about the inner workings of the organization and its relationship with IMSA. As President, my priorities would be increasing the transparency of our operations and improving our lines of communication with IMSA. As Secretary, I have made inroads in terms of transparency by consolidating institutional memory and working with the other officers to clearly articulate our policies. Additionally, in my communications with IMSA, I have emphasized clear expectations and consistent follow-through, which have helped the IAA achieve its goals, including consistently recognizing alumni for their contributions to Intersession. As President, I would hope to build on these successes by refreshing IAA’s policies to better suit our alumni’s current needs and revitalizing our communication with IMSA to promote more joint endeavors.
Though I am unable to attend this year’s Annual Meeting in person, I am looking forward to returning to Illinois this fall and reconnecting with alumni throughout the Chicagoland area. While I am primarily running for President, I would welcome the opportunity to continue serving the IAA in my current role of Secretary or previous role of At-Large Member. Thank you for your consideration!
MATTHEW ISODA, 2002
After a break from the IAA board to focus on advocating within my neighborhood, I'm excited for a chance to get more involved at IMSA again. I currently live in Hyde Park, am active in our local parks and volunteer with a local food pantry project. I work as a Principal Development Engineer for Fiber Optics at Panduit in Tinley Park, where I'll be celebrating my 20th anniversary next year.
VIOLET KONOPKA, 2016
I am excited to have an active role in the IAA and get involved!
3. At-Large Member (up to eleven may be elected; 1-year term: August 31, 2025-August 31, 2026) [select up to eleven]
DANIEL COLLINS, 2015
Four years ago, I decided to strengthen my ties with IMSA by running to be an At-Large Member of IAA. I had just graduated with my master’s and was about to start my first full-time job, so reconnecting with IMSA offered some much-needed stability. At the end of my first term as an At-Large Member, the IAA Officers asked me to step into the role of Secretary, and I have held this position for the past three years. Now, as I prepare to begin the next chapter of my career by returning to the Chicagoland area to pursue a PhD at Northwestern University, I hope to recommit myself to the IAA once again in the new role of President.
While serving in the IAA—first as a cabinet member, then as an officer—I have learned much about the inner workings of the organization and its relationship with IMSA. As President, my priorities would be increasing the transparency of our operations and improving our lines of communication with IMSA. As Secretary, I have made inroads in terms of transparency by consolidating institutional memory and working with the other officers to clearly articulate our policies. Additionally, in my communications with IMSA, I have emphasized clear expectations and consistent follow-through, which have helped the IAA achieve its goals, including consistently recognizing alumni for their contributions to Intersession. As President, I would hope to build on these successes by refreshing IAA’s policies to better suit our alumni’s current needs and revitalizing our communication with IMSA to promote more joint endeavors.
Though I am unable to attend this year’s Annual Meeting in person, I am looking forward to returning to Illinois this fall and reconnecting with alumni throughout the Chicagoland area. While I am primarily running for President, I would welcome the opportunity to continue serving the IAA in my current role of Secretary or previous role of At-Large Member. Thank you for your consideration!
BO DRISCOLL, 2007
I have deeply enjoyed my time as an Officer of the IAA and would like to continue serving on the IAA Board as an At-Large member, however with my move to Minnesota and starting a family, I don't feel I could be President. As an At-Large I will happily keep helping out with the emails, managing Discord, reunions, etc... in any way I can.
MATTHEW ISODA, 2002
After a break from the IAA board to focus on advocating within my neighborhood, I'm excited for a chance to get more involved at IMSA again. I currently live in Hyde Park, am active in our local parks and volunteer with a local food pantry project. I work as a Principal Development Engineer for Fiber Optics at Panduit in Tinley Park, where I'll be celebrating my 20th anniversary next year.
VIOLET KONOPKA, 2016
I am excited to have an active role in the IAA and get involved!
Please direct any questions to Brian Cudiamat, Class of 1996, of the 2025 IAA Elections Committee. These should be emailed to election@imsaalum.org.