we’re Not your
average scuba divers.

Chicago Undersea Explorers Society (CUES) was created by a dedicated group of scuba divers in early 2020. We are committed to creating an organization that prioritizes a passion for scuba diving, as well as the desire to share that passion with others.

This idea grew to form a non-profit educational organization focused on diversifying and giving back to the scuba diving community through underwater education. CUES is founded on a commitment to bring the ability to explore the underwater world to communities that may not have the opportunity otherwise. Curiosity, camaraderie, and diversity are at the center of all CUES-related events and activities.

CUES Board Members with representatives of the Windy City Seals

CUES Board Members with representatives of the Windy City Seals

As divers, we are all about our buddies and our community. At CUES, we wish to build and foster new lines of collaboration and communication across Chicago’s scuba community. Our primary goals are to inspire a life-long love for scuba in our students and volunteers, and to provide an opportunity to create new experiences with scuba throughout the Chicagoland area and beyond.

In an effort to help open up the underseas world for all, CUES actively searches for opportunities to bring scuba education to historically excluded and underserved groups of all ages and backgrounds. As the Society expands and fosters these relationships, we are committed to facilitating scuba courses, special events, and open conversation around diversifying Chicago’s scuba community.

2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Melissa Szwan

    Chair
    chair@divecues.org

    Melissa is a graphic designer by trade and avid lover of the outdoors by nature. When not working with her favorite mission-driven organizations to advance their goals through good design, she can be found lurking around the lakefront with her dog, bouldering badly, and doing her best to maintain neutral buoyancy.

  • Katie Whitlow, PhD

    Vice-Chair & Training Director
    training@divecues.org

    Katie is fully invested in aquatic life. She started diving in 2012 and immediately fell in love, though she didn't get to blow bubbles in the ocean until much later. She is now an Assistant Professor of Biology at Saint Mary's College (IN), where she researches fish feeding and locomotion while daydreaming about how to grow her own set of gills. In addition to teaching physiology and marine bio for her day job, she now certifies new divers as a SCUBA instructor as well!

  • Sarah Brown, PhD

    Treasurer
    treasurer@divecues.org

    Chemist by day and mermaid by night, Sarah will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the ideal gas law if you let her. Despite being a firm lover of colourful fish and all things ocean, she has also developed strong warm and fuzzies for Great Lakes shipwreck diving. She is excited to see what's in store for CUES this year, and the betting pool is currently open for when she’ll finally complete her Divemaster and Instructor certifications.

  • Grace Schulz

    Secretary
    secretary@divecues.org

    Grace revived her love for scuba with CUES, where she has been thrilled to be surrounded by the vibrant, outdoor-exploring, inclusive community. Out of the water her days are spent working with octopus as she pursues a PhD at the University of Chicago. She will show you photos of her cat and latest baking adventure at the slightest provocation.

  • Katie Mika, PhD

    IT Director & Membership Director
    it@divecues.org
    membership@divecues.org

    Katie dreamed of scuba diving as a kid and finally fulfilled her goal through a high school class in 2005. She’s since gone on to obtain her NAUI Instructor certification and loves introducing new divers to scuba! During surface intervals, she is a scientist studying how the incredible diversity of fish we see underwater evolved. Her favorite dive trip to date was to Raja Ampat in Indonesia.

  • Andrew Zaruba

    Communications Director & Community Relations Manager
    communications@divecues.org
    communityrelations@divecues.org

    Andrew's first time diving was in 2017 on a trip to Curacao. Since then, he's kept up diving around the Midwest and has loved every minute of it. On dry land, he is a software engineer by trade and otherwise spends his time running, playing jazz music, and lazing around with his dog. His favorite local dive site is the wreck of the Straits of Mackinac.

What do we do?

As a new and quickly growing organization, CUES is looking to get involved with our local community here in Chicago. Each member of the CUES staff has experience working with a variety of individuals and organizations, and we are excited to bring that experience to a larger community.

We plan to offer free or low-cost Discover Dives, Certifications (at all levels), Scuba Camps, and additional water-related programming to historically excluded and underrepresented communities of all ages, including: low income individuals, BIPOC, LGBTQIA, adaptive, veteran and ROTC organizations, and any other community or organization that would benefit from scuba diving. 

We are always looking for new individuals and organizations to work with, so please don't hesitate to reach out!