Hundreds of University of Illinois student-athletes’ lives have been touched by Julie Pioletti. A 32-year UIUC employee, Julie has spent the latter half of those years devotedly mentoring and guiding students as an office administrator in the school’s Division of Intercollegiate Athletics.Julie works primarily with the university’s Basketball coaching staff, providing administrative supervision of its daily activities and serving as the campus and community liaison for its head coach. Along with the director of basketball operations, she also coordinates the administration of Summer Camp employees, including corresponding with prospective coaches and officials.She uses her organizational talents as a volunteer for the Coaches vs. Cancer/American Cancer Society dinner and auction. During this major fundraiser, Julie handles such arrangements as securing sponsors, selling advance tickets, working out the venue details, and assisting at the event.Julie appreciates the important role Parkland College has played in her rewarding career.“When I graduated from high school, I had a job in sales but I knew that wasn’t what I wanted to do,” she says. “After taking some general education courses at Parkland, I started working at the University of Illinois. I am fortunate that I had the opportunity to take classes and go back at different times for more classes that have helped me along the way. Getting an education is so important. Parkland is affordable and has options for financial aid so that everyone should be able to get an education!”