For Dr. Dawn Korte, Southern Illinois University Carbondale was more than a steppingstone—it was the foundation for a career defined by leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to others. A proud graduate of SIU’s College of Health and Human Sciences with a major in paralegal studies, Korte has dedicated her career to fostering professional growth, advocating for women in leadership, and giving back to the institution that shaped her journey.

Raised in Carterville, Illinois, she initially enrolled at SIU to study piano performance, securing a scholarship that made her college education possible. However, a deep-rooted interest in the law led her to switch majors to paralegal studies—a decision that ultimately shaped her mindset.

“I had been interested in the law, so I changed my major and focused on law school after graduation,” she said. “That switch taught me to always keep an open mind, work hard, and accept ambiguity as a part of life.”

Korte credits her parents as her earliest role models, instilling in her the values of perseverance and dedication. At SIU, professors such as Dr. Steven Barwick and Dr. Albert Melone, along with lecturers Kenneth Hughes and Pamela Lacey, played instrumental roles in her academic development. One defining moment took place even before she was officially a Saluki—her scholarship audition in Shryock Auditorium.

“I was terrified, played way too fast, and made some mistakes,” she said. “When I finished, I thought I had blown my audition. But Professor Barwick stood up and said, ‘Welcome to SIUC—we will figure out the rest!’ That moment solidified SIU as my home.”

Leadership, Challenges, and Breaking Barriers

Throughout her career, Korte has been a strong advocate for people-focused leadership, emphasizing that the most valuable asset of any organization is its people.

“If people gave me their time and trusted me to lead them, I was going to create a place in which they could thrive,” she said. “I built relationships rooted in honesty and mutual respect, creating a strong foundation to weather professional storms.”

As a woman in the workplace, Korte faced challenges in establishing herself in executive leadership roles. She navigated these obstacles with a combination of preparation, networking, and relentless effort.

“I remained crystal clear on my goals, asked for honest feedback, and used it as fuel to improve,” she said. “I worked relentlessly to produce meaningful results that benefited both the organization and myself.”

Among her proudest achievements, Korte became the first in her family to earn a Ph.D. after completing her MBA, demonstrating her commitment to lifelong learning and excellence.

The Power of Mentorship and Giving Back

Korte is passionate about mentoring young women and supporting SIU programs that foster female leadership. As a founding member of the Women’s Leadership Council, she recognizes the power of mentorship in shaping future generations.

“Women need to support other women because we understand the demands of life and work,” she said. “Every woman has a story that can inspire another if she shares it. The Women’s Leadership Council provides a space for those stories to thrive and motivate others.”

She believes philanthropy at SIU—through scholarships and mentorship—has a measurable impact.

“We track metrics to see our impact, but the true success is in the continuation of mentor-mentee relationships long after graduation,” she said. “The heartfelt thank-yous, the stories of students helping each other through challenges—these are the untold metrics that prove what we’re doing is working.”

As SIU continues to nurture future leaders, Korte hopes the work of the Women’s Leadership Council and other initiatives will instill confidence in young women.

“I hope we give them a light that shines in their soul through dark moments,” she said. “That light is the confidence that they can, and will, prevail.”

Women’s History Month holds special significance for Korte, serving as a time to honor those who paved the way. She draws inspiration from her mother, a dedicated nurse and community leader whose legacy of service continues to guide her.

“She made an indelible mark on the lives of her patients and those around her,” Korte said. “I work to have her spirit, values, and wisdom live on through me.”

Reflecting on her career, Korte hopes to leave a legacy of commitment rather than mere contributions.

“My dad always used to say that the difference between making a commitment and a contribution is like bacon and eggs—the chicken makes the contribution, but the pig makes a commitment,” she said. “That’s what I’ve tried to do in my personal and professional life—make a commitment to something bigger than myself.”

For Korte, giving back to SIU is a way to invest in the future and ensure that young Salukis—especially women—have the support and resources they need to succeed.

“SIUC helped chart a course for my life, and I will be forever grateful,” she said.

To learn more about the Women’s Leadership Council and how you can get involved, visit siuf.org/wlc.

By Jeff Wilson

Dr. Cynthia Sims has been on many sides of the college student experience, and one thing has remained a constant – the clear need for scholarship access for all students.

“When I was a college student, I really didn’t qualify for many scholarships,” she said. “I was a committed student. It made me feel a little less than. I didn’t feel that I fit in. I didn’t feel that I was valued as a student.”

Sims was born in raised in Chicago. She left home for the first time to attend the University Louisville. She earned master’s degrees from DePaul University and the University of Chicago. She received her Doctor of Education from Northern Illinois University.

“The first time I received a scholarship was when I went to graduate school at DePaul,” she said. “I jumped up and down. I was so excited. I felt like I belonged to the university immediately. They wanted me there. I felt valued.”

Her Saluki story begins when she was offered an assistant professor position at SIU. She recently retired from the College of DuPage where she served as associate vice president.

“I worked at SIU for 14 years, and I loved it,” she said. “I am still in contact with many of my students. They invite me to their weddings and baby showers.”

Dr. Sims was committed to student recruitment and retention. She started two mentoring programs for high school students in Southern Illinois. One was the SIUC Mentorship Academy, which included a “Take Your Mentee to Class Week,” allowing high school students to shadow SIU students for the day to learn about college life. Another program was the “Enhancing Minority College and Career Preparation Service-Learning Mentoring Program,” which included college tours to Historically Black Colleges and Universities with SIU student mentors.

She established the Dr. Cynthia Howard Sims Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship at Southern and wanted to ensure that it benefits students who may not otherwise feel supported.

“I decided to start a scholarship without a grade-point average attached or extracurricular requirements,” she said. “I feel that’s important because it’s inclusive. When they complete the essay application for my scholarship, students should be focusing on ways to express themselves and use other strengths to complement their academic strengths.”

For years, Sims has seen her mother give back to her community any way she can, and that serves as a major inspiration for her philanthropic outlook.

“My mother is big on giving back. She not only donates her time, but she’s always giving money to organizations and causes,” Sims said. “She probably doesn’t know that I have watched that for years. I like to do that, too, but I wanted to expand it with this scholarship. I wanted to impact more students with this scholarship. My mother modeled that for me, and I appreciate that.”

Encouraging other alumni – particularly Black alumni – to follow in her footsteps, Sims notes the impact that scholarships play on retention and graduation rates.

“I benefited so much from my education, and I want others to benefit as well. Too many stop because of lack of funding,” she said. “As a person of color, I have a responsibility to support other students of color. Call someone at the SIU Foundation. Ask someone at your college or within a specific program what they need. You just need to take the first step.”

To make a gift to the Dr. Cynthia Howard Sims Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Endowment Fund, visit siuf.org. To speak with someone at the SIU Foundation about endowing a scholarship, call 618-453-4900.