Maria Sanchez Steenberger
Department Manager

I grew up on the south side of Chicago and moved to Indiana for the first time when I was in my early 20s. After living in several Midwest states we moved back to Indiana, and we have now been in the Bloomington area (and I have been at IU) for 16 years. I started my IU career in Accounts Payable and have since worked for The Summer Language Workshop and Dhar India Studies as the Assistant Director of both prior to coming to FRIT. I addition to being the Department Manager, I am also a PhD Student in the Geography Department where my focus is on food insecurity rates and mitigation strategies among mothers in NE New Mexico. When not on campus I enjoy endurance sports (mostly marathon distance), hiking, gardening, and homesteading on our property in Brown County.

Katelin Hope Vesely
Graduate Student Services Coordinator 

Hi everyone! I’m Katelin, and I’m excited to join the Department of French and Italian as the new Graduate Student Services Coordinator. I’ve been academically or professionally involved with IU since 1998, and I grew up right here in Bloomington. One of my parents was a graduate student at IU, so I grew up around the graduate school experience and have long appreciated both its challenges and its rewards. Before this role, I worked as a Canvas LMS Support Consultant at UITS, and I’m currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Arts Administration through the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.  

My academic background includes Art History, with a focus on the intersections of art, science, and technology, as well as Arts Administration with an emphasis in curatorial and museum studies. Outside of work and school, I’ve been involved in over 30 community theater productions with Monroe County Civic Theater, most notably as a director or stage manager. I have a long-standing interest in integrating Shakespeare into educational and community settings. I also enjoy painting and gardening, which help me bring creativity and balance to everyday life. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone and supporting our incredible graduate students throughout their time at IU!

Jana McGee
Undergraduate and Faculty Coordinator

I began my IU career working in a law clinic for the Maurer School of Law, where I developed a fascination with the legal world, and became something of a law nerd. I'm now a graduate student in history, with an interest in early modern Europe, while continuing my work at the university. Outside of academia, I have volunteered for animals and environmental issues: I served on the local sustainability commission contributing to local policy recommendations on climate and conservation issues and spent several years volunteering with the local animal shelter, fostering cats and kittens and helping match them with new homes.

I minored in French when earning my undergraduate degree and I enjoy being back in touch with the French and Italian department.