Gail Skladzien Sheluga

Gail Skladzien Sheluga's life is a testament to resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to both family and community. Gail attended Iowa State from 1972-1976, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Textiles and Design/Merchandising . She embarked on a career in fashion merchandising for Bamberger’s (Macy’s) and Carson Pirie Scott, traveling to fashion markets domestically and foreign. Like many women, Gail ultimately decided to step back from her career to devote herself fully to her role as a wife and mother. While raising her two children, she helped her Roselle community in a volunteer role serving on the Roselle Park Board. In this role, she was integral to securing funding to construct the first park district building for the town and solving a crisis situation with her community pool. As her children grew, she worked part time, always in roles that allowed her to work with other people. As life circumstances changed, Gail became the primary source of income and custodial parent. It was then she took on the enormous challenge of completing a cohort program for teacher certification at Northern Illinois University. Gail’s first, and only teaching assignment at age fifty, was in the Family Consumer Department at Dundee Crown High School in Illinois. Within months of the beginning of her teaching career, Gail enrolled in a cohort, receiving her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois. Despite her passion for clothing construction and fashion, the only teaching position open was teaching in Culinary Arts. Gail perfected skills and knowledge to provide a student-centered approach for Culinary Arts; student participation in an in-house restaurant; and International Foods to many lucky students until retiring in 2016. At this time, Gail was able to embark on her most exciting opportunity as the House Director at Delta Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma at Iowa State University from 2016-2022, The very same house at 120 Lynn to which she was Treasurer and President during her undergraduate years. As House Director, she was the "Mom" on site, running the house and all the duties that came along with it, as well as supporting young girls as someone they could turn to, trust, and call upon whenever they needed. Since her Kappa retirement, Gail continues to maintain relationships with her “girls” as the grow into women experiencing careers, marriage, and children. Currently, Gail demonstrates the ideals of KKG as an advisor to the Beta Theta chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma at Illinois State University. During her tenure as House Director she also teamed up with other House Directors, in a close-knit community, Coterie, focused on collaboration, team-building, and reliance. As secretary for Coterie it was inspiring to see the notes of her “Mom” from the 70’s, serving in the same position. While she loved her experiences at ISU, Gail returned to the Chicagoland area to take on her new favorite role as Grandma to her two beautiful grandchildren. Gail is a member of the Northwest Suburban (Chicago) Alumnae Association of KKG focusing on philanthropy as chair for the Rose McGill Fund Holiday donation. As a member of the ISU Alumni Association, Gail took pride and enjoyment volunteering for Cyclone Tailgates as a greeter and also directing family games at the Alumni Center before home football games. Gail’s lifelong affinity for the university, campus, and town of Ames inspired her daughter, Katie (Sheluga) Suchy, 2010, to attend Iowa State University earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development and Linguistics. Gail and Katie love that they share not only an alma mater, but a bond for life, and enjoy revisiting the campus at every opportunity.