Meet the Staff

At Aurora University, you will work closely with your Admission representative throughout the admission process. We are here to answer questions, share with you the benefits of an AU education and be your resource until the time you step foot on campus to begin classes.

Your Admission representative will coordinate completion of your application to the university, inform you of important deadlines and explain various ways to finance your education. Take a few minutes to learn more about our freshman Admission staff.

James Lancaster
Director of Freshman Admission

630-844-5144 | jlancast@aurora.edu

Educational background: Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from Aurora University; Master's Degree in Physical Education from Chicago State University

How long have you been at AU? Since 1984. I started here as an Aurora University student and I never left!

What advice would you give a first-year or prospective student? Enjoy the experience and get involved.

Words you would use to describe AU: Inspiring, challenging and supportive

Something interesting or unique about me: I have four daughters.

What was your favorite thing about AU when you were an undergraduate student? The personal interaction with faculty and staff.

Erin Halley
Assistant Director of Freshman Admission

630-844-5297 | ehalley@aurora.edu

Educational background: I received my bachelor's degree in psychology at Wisconsin Lutheran College in 2006, and had an internship experience in Higher Education at Marquette University.

What advice would you give to a first-year or prospective student? Do not be afraid to ask questions. Always be willing to get involved on campus and try out new things; there is plenty to do! A great college experience becomes even better when you put the effort into it.

What is your favorite thing about AU: The atmosphere. A lot of things contribute to making the atmosphere at

AU wonderful. To name a few, the people here are amazing, the campus is beautiful, and it is an ideal place to build a lot of memories.

Jill Bures
Freshman Admission Representative

630-844-3849 | jbures@aurora.edu

Favorite quote: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, either way you are right."

What is playing on your iPod? A little bit of everything, but I love Country.

What advice would you give to a first year or prospective student? Ask a lot of questions and make as many relationships with staff and faculty as possible.

What activities are you involved in outside of AU? Playing Soccer, Running, Triathlons

Favorite book: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Luke Kerber
Freshman Admission Representative

630-844-5293 | lkerber@aurora.edu

Favorite quote:  "I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen." - Frank Lloyd Wright

Favorite book: Anything about American and local history

What movie is in your DVD player: "The Dark Knight"

What advice would you give to a first-year or prospective student? Relax! Apply and visit campus, but at the same time enjoy your final years of high school. When you start college, the hardest thing to learn is not the course work or where the eating places are on campus, but time management. Get involved, but at the same time manage your time efficiently. Don't put too much on your plate, if you can't eat it!

Stacy Hubacek
Freshman Admission Representative

630-844-5145 | shubacek@aurora.edu

Educational Background: Aurora University 2007, B.A. Communication

What advice would you give to a first-year or prospective student? Stay organized! While currently being in high school and going through the admission process, you are wearing two large hats. As long as you stay organized and manage your time wisely, you will be fine. Make sure to ask any questions you don't know and visit as many times as you can. During your first year make sure to enjoy all the new experiences and get involved as much as possible! 

What is your favorite thing about AU: Location, beautiful campus and dedicated faculty. Aurora offers smaller classes where you will get to know your professors and they take the extra time to mak

e sure you are successful in everything you do. 

What activities are you involved in outside of AU? Planning my wedding, as well as my sister's!

Joshua Binder
Freshman Admission Representative

630-844-5418 | jbinder@aurora.edu

Education Background: Bachelor degree in Education/Kinesiology from St. Ambrose University; Master’s Degree in Higher Education from Ashford University

What advice would you give to a first-year or prospective student? Be active, get involved, and enjoy your experience. The close-knit family atmosphere at AU makes the transition to college easy and fun.

Favorite quote: "The richest person in the world is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least.”

-Rev Run

What activities are you involved in outside of AU? Playing/coaching or watching sports, preferably basketball, football, and golf.

Shawna Armstrong
Freshman Admission Representative

630-844-5468 | sarmstro@aurora.edu

Education Background: Bachelor’s degree in sports management from North Central College in 2009; Master’s in Sports Leadership/Administration in 2012.

What advice would you give to a first-year or prospective student? There are so many different opportunities to get involved on campus, take advantage of that. You never know what new activity you find that you love, what new friends you will meet and how much of an impact it can make on yourself and others!

What movie is in your DVD player: The Avengers!

Favorite quote: “Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.”

What activities are you involved in outside of AU? Enjoying being a newlywed with my college sweetheart, Ryan, golfing, lifting, hanging with our rescue mutt, Marley and reading.