Jim Cogdal

Executive Director

Jim Cogdal became the Executive Director of the Sigma Chi Leadership Institute on March 21, 2019. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Bradley University. During his time at Bradley, Jim was initiated into Sigma Chi Fraternity and attended the Horizons Huntsman Leadership Summit in 2002 and two Krach Transformational Leaders Workshops. Due to his experiences, he developed a passion for connecting with Sigma Chi members through transformational leadership development opportunities. Jim was previously the Senior Director of Membership Development at Sigma Chi International Fraternity Headquarters, where he served as one of the principal architects for Sigma Chi Fraternity’s new-member education program, values-based decision-making program about alcohol and drugs, the Sigma Chi Facilitator Academy and the onboarding of Sigma Chi’s learning management system, Sigma Chi Online.

Jim is a master-certified instructor in Tracom SOCIAL STYLETM and Tracom Resilience. With SCLI Chairman Michael Greenberg as International President, Jim and his team have developed numerous award-winning courses as members of the Sigma Chi and SCLI staff. Jim lives in Arlington Heights, Il., with his wife, Jenny, and their children, Emma and Gus.

Robert Rabe, M.Ed., M.Div.

Vice President of Business Development

(847) 425-4427 robert.rabe@scli.org

Robert Rabe, M.Ed., M.Div., is the Vice President of Business Development for Sigma Chi Leadership Institute. He was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and decided to pursue his undergraduate studies just across the border at Northern Kentucky University in Mental Health and Human Services. His undergraduate studies involved four practicums that addressed systemic societal and mental health issues, ranging from social health education to inner-city gang violence. Upon completing his B.S. in Mental Health and Human Services, Robert began his graduate studies at St. John’s University in theology and social justice, where he earned a Master of Divinity.

During his time as a teacher and administrator, Robert completed a Master of Education in Educational Administration (Pk-12) from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, and began his doctoral studies at Cardinal Stritch University in Leadership in Higher Education. Robert was very excited to be recruited by Sigma Chi to serve as the Senior Curriculum Developer. He was initiated into the Sigma Chi brotherhood at 43 and has a deep passion for the mission and educational future of Sigma Chi Leadership Institute. Robert has authored several articles and books, including a high school religion textbook, The Bible: The Living Word of God, that is used in Catholic high schools throughout the US. Robert is looking forward to 2023, when he will complete his Ph.D. in Leadership in Higher Education!

Christopher Rekitzke II, M.A.

Executive Fellow

(847) 425-4495 chris.rekitzke@sigmachi.org

Christopher R. Rekitzke II, M.A., is the Sigma Chi Leadership Institute’s Executive Fellow. He graduated from Valparaiso University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Through his membership in Sigma Chi and Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon as an undergraduate, Chris was inspired to continue his education and obtain a Master of Arts in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from Ball State University.

Chris was honored to join the SCLI Team in 2022 as the inaugural Executive Fellow. In his role, Chris splits his time with SIgma Chi International Fraternity and is responsible for organizing staff meetings and agendas, assisting with special projects, and other duties as assigned by the executive and associate executive directors. Chris actively volunteers with the Iota Sigma and Epsilon Omega chapters of Sigma Chi as a chapter advisory board member and mentor, respectively. Chris resides in Evanston, IL, and spends his free time with his Shih Tzu companion Scully and eating at Chicago’s finest food establishments.

Jim Holcomb, M.A.

Director of Business Operations

(847) 425-4502 jim.holcomb@sigmachi.org

Jim Holcomb, M.A., joined Sigma Chi Leadership Institute in 2021 as Director of Business Development. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Education from California State University, Sacramento. Moreover, Jim has a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Planning with a leadership and ethics emphasis from the U.S. Naval War College. Jim comes to the SCLI, having previously served in the U.S. Army, as a primary school teacher and, most recently, as a U.S. Secret Service Special Agent.

Within the leadership development realm, Jim served as the Chairman of Sigma Chi Fraternity’s Jordan Initiative, where he managed the conceptualization and actualization of the new member education programs. Jim is a trained Horizons Huntsman Leadership Summit guide and has been on the Krach Transformational Leaders Workshop faculty for over 20 years. Jim works out of Tennessee and spends his free time with his family and bike.

Kaitlyn Martin, M.A.

Associate Director of Marketing and Communications

(847) 425-4428 kaitlyn.martin@scli.org

Kaitlyn Martin, M.A., is the Sigma Chi Leadership Institute’s Associate Director of Marketing and Communications. She graduated from Robert Morris University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, concentrating in marketing and sport management. Due to her involvement in fraternity and sorority life, Kait is a lifelong member of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity; she decided to continue her education by obtaining her Master of Art in Student Affairs in Higher Education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Kait was honored to join the SCLI team in 2019 as Curriculum Development Coordinator. She played an instrumental role in developing transformational leaders by designing a competency-driven curriculum focused on authenticity, membership selection, and well-being. Kait serves the Greek community as the Advisor to the University of Chicago’s Panhellenic President and as an active member of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors. Kait spends her free time reading or surrounded by her eight nieces and nephews.

Taylor Lee

Associate Director of Special Events

(847) 425-4485 taylor.lee@scli.org

Taylor Lee joins Sigma Chi Leadership Insititute as Associate Director of Special Events. He graduated from Southern Utah University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Taylor was initiated into the Kappa Iota chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity in 2015 and held the Ritual Chairman and New Member Educator positions. He is also a member of the Order of Omega and Alpha Phi Sigma Honor Society.

As Associate Director of Special Events, Taylor supports the mission and implementation of SCLI’s leadership programs. Before joining SCLI, Taylor served on Sigma Chi Fraternity’s Expansion team, where he developed a passion for the Sigma Chi undergraduate experience. He enjoys seeing the fraternity’s members benefit from active engagement within the leadership programs SCLI coordinates. Taylor grew up playing the drums, riding dirt bikes, and enjoying all things outdoors.

Jesse Trout

Associate Director of Special Events

(847) 425-4492 jesse.trout@scli.org

Jesse Trout was named Sigma Chi Leadership Institute’s Regional Trainer in 2021. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Austin Peay State University. Before joining SCLI, Jesse served as Chairman of Sigma Chi Fraternity’s Member Services and Development Committee.

Jesse comes to the SCLI as a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach and has over ten years of experience in higher education, student success, and coaching. A dedicated member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, he has served on the faculty for Krach Transformational Leaders Workshop and Officer Training Academy, as well as countless fraternity committees. Jess is also a trained Horizons Huntsman Leadership Summit Guide. Jesse and his wife Erica, a Sigma Chi Sweetheart, live in Tennessee, where Jesse is involved in the addiction recovery community.

Brian Wilson, Ph.D.

Senior Director of Institutional Effectiveness

(847) 425-4487 brian.wilson@scli.org

Brian Wilson attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he majored in biology and minored in economics. After graduation, he attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he completed his master’s and Doctor of Philosophy in molecular and integrative physiology. A member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Brian served as his chapter’s President, Vice President, Scholarship Chairman, and New Member Educator.

While teaching courses at the U of I, Brian found his true passion was working with undergraduate students both within and outside their fields of study to help them develop and reach their fullest potential. With that in mind, he hopes to impact how our undergraduate students interact with their campuses and communities and how they develop as future leaders in their chosen fields by ensuring that Sigma Chi Leadership Institute provides leadership programs of the highest caliber.

As Sigma Chi Leadership Institute’s Senior Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Brian uses data-driven approaches to improve all aspects of SCLI’s programs and their delivery to students.

Abigaile Vanhorn, Ph.D.

Vice President of Learning & Development

(847) 425-4425 abigaile.vanhorn@scli.org

Abigaile VanHorn, Ph.D., is Sigma Chi Leadership Institute’s Vice President of Learning & Development. She attended Purdue University, where she completed her Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in political behavior and institutions. She taught at the college level for over ten years and researched the scholarship of teaching and learning, women and politics, mentoring, and leadership theory and practice. She has successfully integrated qualitative and quantitative research methods to tell the story behind the data. Her vocational passion lies in the development and implementation of leadership programs for a variety of organizations.

Abby joined SCLI in 2019 as the Director of Curriculum Development. She brings her expertise in the scholarship of teaching and learning, leadership curriculum development, coaching, and assessment and evaluation to the Sigma Chi Leadership Institute. She currently serves as the President of the Blue Key Honor Society’s national board of directors, where she works with student leaders across the country, enhancing scholarship, leadership, and service during their academic careers. When not writing curriculum or wielding a survey instrument, she can be found wielding a power tool in the name of home improvement.

Margaret Stacy-Duffy, M.Ed.

Associate Director of Curriculum Development

(847) 425-4888 margaret.stacyduffy@scli.org

Margaret Stacy-Duffy, M.Ed., joins SCLI as the Associate Director of Curriculum Development. She graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Earth Systems, Society, and Environmental Sustainability, where she engaged in sustainability initiatives and outdoor recreation organizations. After spending time in central South Dakota working with youth in the community, Margaret pursued her Master’s of Education at Marquette University, where she worked in the Office of Assessment as a graduate assistant, supporting faculty to write programmatic learning outcomes and collect and report assessment data.

Margaret then went on to teach at the college level while serving as a career coach, advising leadership organizations, and engaging in community development. Her passion is in designing intentional and dynamic learning experiences using facilitation, dialogue, and reflection. In her free time, you can find her at the nearest forest preserve paddling in the summer or cross-country skiing in the winter.

Elizabeth Carter, MLIS, M.Ed.

Online Instructional Designer

(847) 423-6554 elizabeth.carter@scli.org

Elizabeth Carter, MLIS, M.Ed., joined the Sigma Chi Leadership Institute team in August 2022 as the Online Instructional Designer. Beth graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor's degree in secondary education. After teaching English at the Busan English Library in Busan, South Korea, she returned to the United States to teach middle and high school language arts while obtaining her master's in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University.

Beth relocated to Chicago to work as a school librarian, teacher, and member of the post-secondary success team while completing a second master's in Learning Technology from Western Governors University. As the Online Instructional Designer, she will design interactive learning while utilizing inclusive practices.

Sigma Chi Leadership Institute Staff

Executive Leadership

Jim Cogdal

Robert Rabe, M.Ed., M.Div.

Christopher Rekitzke II, M.A.

Business Operations

Jim Holcomb, M.A.

Kaitlyn Martin, M.A.

Taylor Lee

Jesse Trout

Institutional Effectiveness

Brian Wilson, Ph.D.

Instructional Design

Abigaile Vanhorn, Ph.D.

Margaret Stacy-Duffy, M.Ed.

Elizabeth Carter, MLIS, M.Ed.

The Leaders and Visionaries Behind Sigma Chi Leadership Institute