Elena Lathos brings more than 20 years of experience in various roles at UIC, all focused on enhancing student success through programming. A dedicated member of the UIC community since 2002, Elena has contributed to retention and mentoring for both undergraduate and graduate students in technology disciplines. As a staff member supporting undergraduate recruiting in the UIC computer science department, she played a pivotal role in the department’s growth, helping expand the student body from 187 students in 2005 to more than 2,000 today.

In her former role as director of community development for Break Through Tech Chicago, Lathos took pride in helping UIC students prepare for successful careers in Chicago’s tech industry. She is proud to have worked on a mission-driven team to develop opportunities at the undergraduate level which support skill development, economic advancement, and social mobility. Additionally, Lathos has contributed to various college-level committees focusing on broadening participation, pipeline programs, and admissions.

Lathos holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Salisbury State University, where she was also a Division III lacrosse player and worked at a domestic violence shelter and crisis center. She later earned her MBA from UIC after returning to her hometown of Chicago.

Outside of work, Lathos enjoys the outdoors, traveling, and running. She lives by the mantra, “Forward is a pace.”