Army ROTC

Lieutenant Colonel Art Rutnarak serves as Professor of Military Science at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Art is an active duty officer in the United States Army with over 17 years of service in diverse and challenging environments. As the Professor of Military Science, he oversees ten Reserve Officer Training Corps programs across Chicago and Northwest Indiana, including those at University of Illinois Chicago, University of Chicago, Chicago State University, Saint Xavier University, Roosevelt University, Robert Morris University, Columbia University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Indiana University Northwest, and Purdue University Northwest. Each program is wholly committed to training leaders of character and molding college students into Army officers capable of leading American Soldiers.

Art is a native of Long Grove, IL who earned degrees at New Mexico Military Institute and Roosevelt University before completing his Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology at Columbia University (New York). He served four years as a Tactical Officer at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY during which time he instructed MX400 “Officer-ship”, the capstone course for college seniors at the Academy.

Art’s significant military assignments include serving alongside the State Department as an Executive Officer at the United States Embassy-Kuwait, as Operations Officer for the 157th Infantry Brigade, where he oversaw the training of Army National Guardsmen from across the United States, and as a Military Transition Team Officer responsible for instructing Iraqi Army officers in military operations.

Major (MAJ) Nick Sommers is a Military Intelligence Officer in the United States Army with more than 13 years of active-duty service. He currently serves as the Battalion Executive Officer and an Assistant Professor of Military Science with the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program at the University of Illinois Chicago. In these roles, he supports battalion operations while contributing to the education, mentorship, and leadership development of future Army officers.

CPT Francisco Reyes is a United States Army Logistics Officer currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Military Science (APMS) and Lead Army ROTC Instructor at the University of Chicago, assigned to the Fire Battalion in Chicago, Illinois. In this role, he is responsible for the training, education, mentorship, and professional development of future Army officers while supporting recruiting, retention, and leader development initiatives across the battalion.

CPT Reyes commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 2020 after graduating from the University of Illinois Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Law, and Justice. He later earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus in 2024.

Following commissioning, CPT Reyes was assigned to the 2d Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany, where he served in multiple leadership and staff positions, including Maintenance Platoon Leader, Alpha Troop Executive Officer, and Squadron S4 Officer in Charge. During his time in Europe, he gained extensive experience in maintenance management, sustainment operations, logistics planning, organizational leadership, and supporting operational requirements in a multinational environment.

CPT Reyes subsequently served with the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), where he commanded Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Group Support Battalion, from July 2024 to May 2026. As a company commander, he was responsible for the readiness, training, welfare, discipline, and development of Soldiers supporting Special Operations Forces. His organization supported numerous exercises and operations, including SOUTHERN STAR 25, FUERZAS COMANDO 26, ATLANTIC DAGGER 26, PANAMAX 26, PACIFIC DAGGER 26, and subject-matter expert exchanges in Peru and El Salvador.

During his command, CPT Reyes emphasized physical readiness, leader development, organizational discipline, and Soldier achievement. His company earned recognition as the battalion’s Best Retention Company, achieved a 95 percent Army Fitness Test pass rate with a 430 average, and produced Soldiers who successfully completed demanding military and international fitness events. He also served as the Officer in Charge for 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)’s first Expert Infantryman, Expert Soldier, and Expert Field Medical Badge training lane.

In May 2026, CPT Reyes transitioned to Army ROTC duty in Chicago. As the Lead Instructor at the University of Chicago, he oversees cadet training and development while teaching Military Science and preparing cadets for increasingly complex leadership responsibilities, Cadet Summer Training, commissioning, and service as Army officers. His training philosophy emphasizes disciplined preparation, tactical competence, physical readiness, accountability, and the practical application of Army leadership principles.

CPT Reyes continues to focus on developing adaptive, disciplined, and competent leaders who are prepared to lead Soldiers in complex environments. His professional interests include leader development, logistics and sustainment operations, tactical training, organizational leadership, mentorship, and the continued development of the Army profession.

CPT Reyes is married to Yadira Guadalupe Hernandez Paredes, and they have a daughter, Aylani. He values family, service, and the responsibility of developing the next generation of Army leaders.

Staff Sergeant (SSG) Antoinetta M. Berry-Tharpe is a Chicago native and dedicated member of the United States Army, bringing more than a decade of military service, professional experience, and leadership to her career. She enlisted in the Army in 2015 as a Human Resources Specialist (42A), beginning a journey defined by service, commitment, and a passion for supporting fellow Soldiers and their families.

Throughout her military career, SSG Berry-Tharpe has served in a variety of operational and administrative assignments, including the 421st Medical Battalion (Multifunctional), 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power), 742nd Military Intelligence Battalion, and 297th Military Intelligence Battalion. These diverse assignments have provided her with extensive experience in personnel management, administrative operations, organizational readiness, and Soldier support across multiple military disciplines.

With more than ten years of service, SSG Berry-Tharpe has developed a strong commitment to leadership, mentorship, and the professional development of those around her. She is passionate about fostering a culture of teamwork, accountability, and excellence while ensuring Soldiers have the resources, guidance, and support necessary to succeed both personally and professionally.

Beyond her military accomplishments, SSG Berry-Tharpe considers her most meaningful and rewarding role to be that of a devoted mother to four children. Her dedication to family, service, and mentorship reflects the values that continue to guide her military career and her commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others.