Scholar Spotlight
Diana Arellano, Community Health
Q: Why did you choose a major in the College of Applied Health Sciences?
I chose Community Health from the College of Applied Health Sciences because I knew I wanted to do something
in the health care area but not exactly what. I had a friend majoring in Community Health as well before I came to
college and told me that this would be the perfect major for me especially because students get three areas of
concentrations to choose from: Health Education and Promotion, Heath Planning and Administration, and Rehabilitation
and Disability Studies.
Q: What are some of your favorite classes (currently taking or have taken in the past)?
Last semester was a blast even with 18 credit hours. I loved all of the Community Health classes I was taking,
which included 101, 111, 244, 206, 260, and 494. But I have to say that 260-Medical Ethics was a lot of fun and
494-International Health was really interesting and something I definitely want to study more in depth.
Q: What other activities are you involved with (fraternity/sorority, sports, clubs, work, etc.)
I'm currently involved with New Life Volunteering Society, Posse, I-LEAP, and plan to join Frontiers-International
Health Society and Future Health Care Executives.
Q: What has been the best experience you have had so far at Illinois?
The best experience I have had here in college so far was my Alternative Spring Break trip to Washington D.C.
Our trip was focused on hunger and homelessness which included an "urban plunge" of actually seeing what it is
like to be homeless for three days and two nights. Three days may not seem like a long time to be homeless but
it is incredible how much I learned from those three days and the other activities my group and I did through
out the week. This experience opened up my eyes to the struggles of the homeless and my actions and thoughts
about the homeless too. I learned valuable life lessons that I will always carry with me. I strongly urge everyone
to do ASB at least once because there are a number of other topics that ASB covers and it is one trip you will never forget.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being an I-LEAP student?
Being an I-LEAP student, I enjoy the support the most. I know I can always turn to Sheri with any questions
that I have and she will do her best to help me with them. I also love the passion and dedication Sheri has
brought together for I-LEAP because it is truly amazing how genuine her care for the students in I-LEAP is.
Q: What are your future goals?
My ultimate future goals are to help and teach women in Latin American countries about their health. Before
doing that I want to go to graduate school for Public Health and International Health and I'm interested in
participating in the Peace Corps.
Q: Any Words of Wisdom that you can share?
My favorite words come from Walt Whitman: "Re-examine all you have been told...Dismiss what insults your Soul."