About us

We are a non-profit organization, entirely run by dedicated volunteers.

Their commitment is the key to our success. If you'd like to get involved, join us now to make a difference together.

Thank you for your support.

The JIFchic Team

Co-Director: Dr. Sylvie Goutas

Dr. Goutas is an accomplished scholar and educator with a diverse academic background. She earned her Ph.D. in French & Francophone Literature from the University of Chicago, complemented by a Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies in French Literature from the University of Paris 7. Her passion for language pedagogy led her to obtain a Master's in French as a Foreign Language Pedagogy from the University of Rouen, following her Bachelor's in English and Cinema and Audiovisual Studies from the University of Reims (France).

Her teaching journey began in Spain, where she lived, instructing Business French after previous roles as a French Lecturer and administrative intern at Florida State University. Subsequently, she pursued her Ph.D. and served as a Lecturer at the University of Chicago, while also teaching at institutions such as the School of the Art Institute, Loyola University Chicago, and Daley College.

Upon completing her doctoral studies, she transitioned to the role of Visiting Assistant Professor at Dominican University before joining Wheaton College, Illinois, where she taught French and Spanish. Presently, she holds the position of Associate Instructional Professor in French at the University of Chicago.

Throughout her career, Dr. Goutas has been actively involved in immersive language programs, including serving as a teacher at Benedictine University's French and Spanish Immersion Weekend programs and as a Journée Intensive en Français Liaison at Dominican University. In 2018, she assumed the role of director of the latter program, having previously served as assistant director for five years. Additionally, she currently serves as the President of the AATF Chicago/Northern Illinois Chapter.

Since 2023, Dr. Goutas has co-directed a program in partnership with Gissele Drpich, further expanding her commitment to immersive language education and cross-cultural understanding.

Co-Director: Gissele Drpich

Gissele brings a wealth of experience and a multicultural perspective to her role as a language educator at Mundelein High School. With a Master’s Degree in Economics from l’Université de Montréal, she transitioned from a successful career in finance to pursue her passion for teaching in 2004.

Outside of her work at Mundelein, Gissele has been actively involved with the Journée Intensive en Français (JIF). Her first experience with JIF was with her students in 2017, and she presented at the event in 2018, beginning her volunteer work that same year. Over the years, she has continued to contribute to JIF, and in 2023, she embraced the role of co-director alongside Sylvie, furthering her commitment to creating meaningful French immersion opportunities for students.

Gissele’s leadership extends beyond the classroom. She has served as President of the Francophone Youth Theater, where she championed creative language teaching through theatrical workshops, and has led workshops on her home culture of Quebec, sharing its rich traditions and linguistic heritage.

In addition, Gissele has led multiple student trips abroad to France, Montreal, Quebec City, Spain, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica. She also used to coordinate an exchange program with Sèvres, where students immersed themselves in French culture before returning home to host their exchange partners. This program fostered cultural understanding and helped students build long-term international friendships.

Gissele is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Latin American Literature and Cultures, demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning. She serves as an executive board member of the AATF Chicago/Northern Illinois Chapter and was previously a Sister Cities Commission member for Mount Prospect, where she helped promote goodwill and international understanding.

Gissele is driven by a desire to equip her students with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

all of our volunteers

Assistant Director: Fatou Dioum

Fatou Dioum is an integral member of the JIF team, having contributed to the program for over three years, initially joining as an intern before rising to the position of Assistant Director. Fatou is a dynamic leader and coordinator, playing a central role in planning and executing the events that make JIF such a rich and rewarding experience for all participants.

A native French speaker from Dakar, Senegal, Fatou brings a unique cultural perspective to her work. She has taught the 2024 JIF course “Découvrir le Sénégal”, where she introduced students to the rich cultural heritage of her homeland, guiding them through its diverse traditions, art, and history.

Fatou holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a minor in Romance Languages and Literature from the University of Chicago, where she was honored as a Global Honor Student. Alongside her professional career as a banking analyst at a leading global bank, she is deeply committed to education and community engagement.

In addition to her work at JIF, Fatou is a co-founder of the non-profit organization *Yewwu Yittel Sunu Askan*, which focuses on empowering young Senegalese individuals through initiatives in education, the environment, women's and youth empowerment, humanitarian aid, and health. The organization is dedicated to providing resources and opportunities for Senegal’s youth to succeed and become active contributors to their communities and society.

Fatou has eagerly embraced the opportunity to serve as Assistant Director, working closely with Sylvie and Gissele to further strengthen her commitment to immersive language education and cross-cultural understanding.