Anita Evans, MSECE ‘20
Doctoral Fellow & Academic Success Coach
Anita is an Erikson doctoral student and alum of its Early Childhood Education master’s program. Her work at Erikson supported teachers in two school-year-long professional development series: SELove, which provided social and emotional learning for preschool teachers in Hawaii, and Project Connect, which connected learning routines with authentic assessment for kindergarten teachers statewide in Illinois.
Anita taught preschool for 8 years at a play-based co-op for children ages 2-5. She also has a background working in non-profit organizations as an administrator and teaching artist. Among her work, she created the Curiosity Club, leading arts + science workshops for inquisitive kids in summer camps, libraries, classrooms, and at the Adler Planetarium.
Her goal is for the Academic Success Center to be a resource for all Erikson students so that no one has to figure everything out on their own. We all learn better when we learn together.
Diane Carasig, MSCD ‘17
Academic Success Coach
Diane obtained her MS in Child Development from Erikson in 2017. She is passionate about early learning and prior to moving to Chicago for graduate school, she was based in the Philippines where she was a classroom teacher and a program officer for an early learning project. At Erikson, she was involved in early childhood research and policy.
Diane has worked for the Academic Success Center since 2017. She has worked with students through study groups, one-on-one tutorials, and giving feedback through ASC online.
She is currently based in the Philippines where she is a child development consultant and has remained connected to Erikson. These days, she is primarily occupied with using her child development knowledge in raising her two daughters.
Fernando Gonzalez III, LCSW, MSW ‘17
Academic Success Coach
Fernando has his Master of Social Work from the Erikson Institute (2017) and is halfway through obtaining his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Health Care. Fernando holds clinical interest in play therapy, psychosomatic theory, and child sexual abuse.
Fernando currently works full-time as a Clinical Coordinator at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital where he supervises a team of 10 clinical social workers. Additionally, Fernando provides clinical supervision and training in Play Therapy.
Fernando has worked for the Academic Success Center since 2017. Fernando supports students through a Theraplay and developmental lens, providing students with structure, transparency, and guidance.
Fernando enjoys spending time in the kitchen, primarily focusing on improving his skills in baking. Fernando also enjoys Latin dancing, exercising, and spending time at the beach.
Cree Thurmond, MSECE ‘24
Academic Success Coach
Cree is an experienced early childhood education professional with over a decade of expertise in supporting children’s development from infancy through adolescence. Since 2011, Cree has worked across various roles, beginning as a preschool teacher and advancing to serve as a center director for several years. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and an American Sign Language Interpreter certification, Cree brings a unique blend of knowledge in child development, communication, and inclusion to her work.
Cree is also an alum of Erikson Institute’s Early Childhood Education T3 program, further solidifying her commitment to high-quality, research-based early learning practices. Throughout her career, Cree has had the privilege of working with children ranging from 6 weeks to 18 years old, with a focus on creating nurturing, inclusive environments where all children can thrive. Her passion for early childhood education and dedication to creating supportive, engaging spaces for children make her a valued professional in the field.
Her goal as an academic success coach is to provide support to all Erikson students, reassuring them that they are not alone and that she, too, has been in their shoes and successfully made it through. She is here to offer guidance, encouragement, and a steady source of support throughout their academic journey.
