Staff

Name: Tiffany Cowger

Experience: Tiffany has held many positions within Upward Bound including Counselor, Coordinator, Assistant Director, and now Director. She is a graduate from Wabash Valley College and Southern Illinois University of Carbondale.

Email: cowgert@iecc.edu

Phone: 618-395-7777 ext 2284

Name: Jennifer Jennings

Experience:  Jennifer is a graduate of Olney Central College and has been with Upward Bound since 2011. After serving many years as Administrative Assistant to the program, Jennifer was named Assistant Director in 2024. 

Email: jenningsj@iecc.edu

Phone: 618-395-7777 ext 2285

Name: Candice Young

Experience: Candice started with Upward Bound as a counselor in 2018 and is now the Coordinator for LTC (along with many other hats!). She is a graduate of Lincoln Trail College and Eastern Illinois University.

Email: youngc@iecc.edu

Phone: 618-544-8657 ext 1310

Name: Rachel Carter

Experience: Rachel has been with Upward Bound since 2023. Rachel is the Counselor for Robinson and Newton Community High Schools. She is a graduate of Lincoln Trail College and the University of Maine of Augusta. 

Email: carterr@iecc.edu

Phone: 618-544-8657 ext 1311

Name: Grae Drake

Experience: Grae has been with Upward Bound since 2024. They are an alum of TRIO Educational Talent Search, and they are now the Counselor for Lawrenceville High School and Oblong High School. Grae is a graduate of Lincoln Trail College and Liberty University. 

Email: drakeg@iecc.edu

Phone: 618-544-8657 ext 1309

Name: Julie Auteberry

Experience: Julie previously worked as a Counselor with Upward Bound from 2017-2022, and now she is back with us as a Coordinator. She is a graduate of Olney Central College, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and Grand Canyon University.

Email: auteberryj@iecc.edu

Phone: 618-395-7777 ext 2282

Name: Rusty Foerster

Experience: Rusty has been with Upward Bound since 2023. He is an Alum of TRIO Student Support Services and now he is the Counselor for Edwards County and Richland County High School. Rusty is a graduate from Olney Central College and Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville.

Email: foersterr@iecc.edu

Phone: 618-395-7777 ext 2283

Name: Kristie Markman

Experience: Kristie joined TRIO Upward Bound in 2024. She has been part of the IECC TRIO family since 2017 as the TRIO Student Support Services Administrative Assistant and Program Support Specialist. Kristie is a graduate of Wabash Valley College, USI and currently working on her master's degree in student affairs at EIU.

Email: markmank1@iecc.edu

Phone: 618-395-7777 ext 2286

Name: Christy Morley

Experience: Christy joined Upward Bound in 2021. She is an Alum of TRIO Student Support Services and is now the Counselor for North Clay and Red Hill High Schools. Christy is a graduate of Olney Central College and the University of Southern Indiana.

Email: morleyc@iecc.edu

Phone: 618-262-8641 ext 3611

Name: Jade Colclasure

Experience: Jade joined TRIO Upward Bound in 2024. Jade attended Frontier Community College and the University of Southern Indiana. She first met the UB staff while she was working as a barista. They will always remember her excellent customer service skills!

Email: colclasurej1@iecc.edu

Phone: 618-262-8641 ext 3626

Name: Bart Nation

Experience: Bart joined TRIO Upward Bound in 2024. A graduate of Lincoln Trail College and Eastern Illinois University, Bart previously taught in Japan and the Philippines.

Email: nationb@iecc.edu

Phone: 618-262-8641 ext 3612