NLU's Inaugural Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)  Summit, Transforming Together: Impact, Excellence, Comunidad

Eddie Phillips, Ed.D

Provost and Senior Vice President

National Louis University

With 20 years of experience, Dr. Eddie J. Phillips Jr. is a distinguished higher education executive leader with a proven record of leading large organizations and driving strategic innovation and results. Dr. Phillips is considered a thought leader and trusted voice on issues impacting higher education. His experience in student and academic affairs, regional and programmatic accreditation, organizational leadership, and data-driven decision-making has consistently promoted student success and resulted in transformative change for every institution he has supported.

As the Provost and Senior Vice President at National Louis University, Eddie plays a crucial role in shaping the institution’s strategic direction. He serves as a senior leader, working closely the university’s President on advancing the university vision and mission, defining and managing strategic priorities, elevating the institution’s brand, supporting talent acquisition and development efforts, cultivating partnerships, and ensuring fiscal efficiency and performance outcomes for the university’s academic enterprise and student affairs division.

As a Chicago native, born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Phillips’ passion for education and his commitment to the City is evident in his professional history. Prior to joining National Louis University, Phillips worked at Kennedy-King College, City Colleges of Chicago, where he held several leadership roles, including Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, Dean of Instruction, Associate Dean of Instruction, and Registrar. Dr. Phillips has also served in various roles at Northern Illinois University, Malcolm X College, and Rush University Medical Center.

His leadership has elevated the work of the organizations he’s supported, resulting in several significant partnership and financial opportunities including a $5 million gift from Mackenzie Scott at Kennedy-King in recognition of the need and impactful work happening at the institution; a $1 million gift a Chicago-based IT managed service provider to address tech-equity in underserved communities; nearly $1 million in funds raised to support innovative undergraduate programming at National Louis University; and many more strategic partnership and resource generating opportunities.

Dr. Phillips is deeply engaged with organizations committed to community and social impact and believes education is a catalyst for change, particularly for those coming from marginalized backgrounds. Dr. Phillips currently serves on Nancy B. Jefferson’s school council (a Chicago Public School alternative school and youth detention center); serves as a board member for Youth Job Center (an Evanston-based youth workforce development organization); serves on the Illinois P-20 Council (a group intended to deliberate and make recommendations to the Governor, Illinois General Assembly, and state agencies for developing seamless and sustainable systems of quality education and support across the entire lifespan of student learning); serves as a member of Adler University’s Board of Trustees; and is a 2025 fellow with Leadership Greater Chicago.

Dr. Phillips holds a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Sociology and Criminology as well as a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership and Administration, all from Northern Illinois University. His academic interest is focused on examining social and structural inequities for justice-involved individuals of color and challenging existing structures of power and privilege. He uses critical inquiry as a theoretical framework and centers race as a point of analysis to explore and advocate for the rights and equitable treatment of justice-involved individuals of color.

Inés Sahagún-Bahena, PhD

Director, El Centro de Excelencia, Project Director Title V grant, Co-Chair, HSI Task Force

National Louis University

Inés Sahagún-Bahena is the Director of El Centro de Excelencia at National Louis University in Chicago and leads its Title V PPOHA & Title III HSI-STEM grants. She is an accomplished higher education administrator with 15+ years of experience leading initiatives that drive student retention, equity, and success. Dra. Sahagún-Bahena is specialized in federally funded grant management, underrepresented student advocacy, and cross-functional collaboration and has a proven record of designing and implementing impactful student support services, managing multi-million-dollar projects, and building institutional capacity to serve historically underserved students. She is a first-generation college and doctoral graduate who holds a Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Joao Goebel, Ed.D.

Associate Professor and Chair of ESL/Bilingual Education, Fulbright-Hays-NLU Study Abroad Co-Director

National Louis University

Juanita Márquez

Project Director of UG HSI Teacher Pipeline Initiatives, Fulbright-Hays Study Abroad Co-Director, Adjunct Professor

National Louis University

Sandra Gonzalez-Adamski, Ed.D

Assistant Professor in the Teacher Preparation Program

National Louis University

Sandra Gonzalez-Adamski, Ed.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Teacher Preparation Program at National Louis University. She is a former Bilingual elementary teacher, Assistant Principal, and Director of Dual Language and English Language Learners. She received her doctoral degree from National Louis University in 2021 in Curriculum, Advocacy, and Policy. Currently, she teaches graduate courses in the teacher preparation program and the ESL/Bilingual department. She is an active researcher in the fields of Latino Studies, Teacher Preparation, and Latino Critical Race Theory. Dr. Gonzalez-Adamski worked on the federally funded 2019 CLAVE PPOHA grant for one year as a Faculty Mentor and assisted in the CLAVE Scholarship selection committee. Dr. Gonzalez-Adamski is also NCE Co-Chair - 2025-2026.

Lionel Sarti

Associate Vice President of Enrollment

National Louis University

With close to 20 years of experience in higher education, Lionel Sarti is a dedicated and dynamic leader, mentor, and role model. As a proud first-generation college graduate and Latino leader, he understands the unique challenges and powerful potential of underserved communities, and he has made it his mission to inspire others to pursue their goals with confidence and purpose.

Lionel founded his own consulting company in 2022 specializing in confidence coaching, anti-bullying, and suicide prevention, where he empowers clients to overcome self-doubt, discover their strengths, and make impactful career moves. His approach is rooted in a blend of personal experience, professional expertise, and an unwavering belief in the power of confidence.

Lionel holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from DeVry University and earned his Master’s in Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management. Lionel also played a critical part in the creation of the Next Generation Hispanic Scholars program to financially help underserved students in socio-economic need. He is Six Sigma Yellow Belt certified and has his certificate as a Confidence Life Coach. Lionel was the founder and former Chair for SOL (Society of Latinx), a business resource group, aimed at empowering Hispanic students and colleagues. 

In November 2024, Lionel was promoted to Associate Vice President of Enrollment. He oversees strategic enrollment initiatives, develops innovative recruitment strategies, and works to enhance student access and success. In February 2025, Lionel joined the Board of Directors at Acero Charter Schools. In this role, he is dedicated to guiding strategic initiatives, fostering academic excellence, and supporting the organization's mission to empower students through quality education.

Beyond his professional achievements, Lionel is an avid traveler who thrives on exploring new cultures and perspectives, adding richness to his coaching practice. He is also a passionate fitness enthusiast, believing in the importance of mental and physical wellness in building a confident, balanced life. His parents are from Guatemala, and currently resides in LaGrange, IL.