Sarena will complete her degree in Kinesiology next year. She is a member of the Illini Medical Screening Society and also volunteers in the emergency department of Carle Hospital. Sarena worked with other students to found Students for Mental Health, which focuses on promoting mental health awareness and advocating for additional mental health resources on campus.

Mariam will complete her degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in 2024. She has volunteered at South Park Pediatric in Chicago and Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest. She is a Wencher Scholar and serves on the executive board of I-HEAL. Mariam also received a Joanne M. Carraway and Charles M. Carraway Scholarship this year.

Ore is a sophomore in Kinesiology. A Dean’s List honoree, she is a member of the social committee of Alpha Delta Epsilon, an organization for students from a variety of disciplines who are planning careers in health-related fields. She also volunteers extensively in the community, helping older residents do yard work and fundraising for people in need.

Yareli will complete her degree in Community Health in May. She volunteered with Carle Foundation Hospital for two years and is currently an intern in the Carle Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Department. An I-Promise scholarship recipient, Yareli worked as an athletic trainer in the University of Illinois Sports Medicine and Human Performance Center.

Tania will complete her degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences next year. During a job shadowing experience at Northwestern Hospital in McHenry, IL, Tania followed practitioners in nursing, physical therapy, pharmacy, speech therapy, radiology, respiratory therapy, pathology, and business operations. She completed an associate’s degree in Applied Sciences at Kishwaukee Community College in Malta, IL.

Kelly will complete a degree in Community Health in December. She works with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Opportunity House Inc. in Sycamore, IL, and volunteers with NAMI DuPage, a support organization for people with mental illnesses and their families. Kelly also received the Jerry D. Burnam Scholarship and Aurelio E. "Joe" Florio Scholarship this year.

Emily will complete her degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in 2024. She recently has participated in such pandemic-safe activities as sending holiday letters to veterans and Valentine’s Day cards to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. She currently is involved with the Best Buddies program on campus. A Dean’s List honoree, she is sisterhood chair of Phi Sigma Sigma.

Sarah will graduate in 2023 with a degree in Community Health. She is a team leader at one of the campus COVID-19 testing sites and also works remotely for the Department of Accountancy. A Dean’s List honoree, she is a research assistant on a study of the perspectives of caregivers to older adults on healthcare equity.

Minwoo will complete his degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in May and go on to dental school. He has volunteered at Carle Foundation Hospital and been a research assistant in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology. A Dean’s List honoree, Chancellor’s Scholar, and James Scholar, Minwoo was a volunteer dental assistant at the Champaign County Christian Health Center.

Caridad will complete her degree in Community Health in 2024. As an active volunteer with her church and community in Chicago, Caridad has assisted with food drives and created youth events such as color runs, concerts, and weekly gatherings. She has followed through on her interest in politics by working on campaigns and serving as an election judge.

Andrew will complete his degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in 2024. As a member of the health preprofessional honor society Alpha Epsilon Delta, Andrew participated in the Heart Walk to raise money for the American Heart Association. He also works with children as a coach at Soccer Planet and is tutoring a local 7th grade student in math.

Ayannia is a first-year student in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. She has been active in Feed My Starving Children, Illinois Miss Amazing, and Community Clean Up. She also has worked as a recreational leader for the Chicago Park District, assisting the day camp director with planning daily activities and accompanying campers on field trips.

Michal will complete her degree in Kinesiology in May. She has accumulated more than 400 hours of physical therapy observation in early intervention, acute care, outpatient orthopedic, vestibular therapy, and home health settings. She has been a rehabilitation aide with Athletico Physical Therapy and a research assistant in the Renal and Cardiovascular Disease Research Lab.

Hana will complete her degree in Kinesiology in 2023. She works as a desk clerk in Ikenberry Commons North. She has volunteered with MEDLife (Medicine and Development for Low Income Families Everywhere), the Muslim Student Association, and Habitat for Humanity. She previously received an Illinois Promise Scholarship and a President’s Award Program Scholarship.

Erica will complete her degree in Community Health next year. She is the student outreach and media coordinator for the Department of Latina/Latino Studies. A Dean’s List honoree, she has been recognized for her accomplishments as the fundraising chair in Lambda Theta Alpha. Erica also received the Floyd and Etta McAfee Award this year.

Emily will complete her degree in Community Health in 2023. She has conducted research on the use of health apps by people with cardiovascular disease and food insecurity, and the use of telehealth by dietitians. A Dean’s List honoree, Emily is a Wellness Ambassador on campus and an active member of Future Healthcare Executives.

Rose will graduate next year with a Community Health degree. She currently volunteers at the New American Welcome Center, where she co-founded a tutoring program for youths in Champaign-Urbana. She is an active participant in the philanthropic and volunteer activities of the Pre-Physician Assistant Club and works as a research assistant in the Institute of Genomic Biology.

After completing her degree in Kinesiology in May, Jessica will work as a medical assistant and coach soccer for a year before enrolling in a physician assistant program. She has volunteered at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana and Franklin Middle School in Champaign. She is active in the Pre-Physician Assistant Club and the Kinesiology Student Association.

Lina graduates in May with a Kinesiology degree. She has volunteered at the annual summer camp of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and is a research assistant in the Disability, Participation, and Quality of Life Lab. A former vice president of the medical fraternity Phi Delta Epsilon, Lina was a 2020 summer research fellow at the Mayo Clinic.

Emily completed her Kinesiology degree in December and is pursuing graduate studies in physical therapy. At Illinois, she helped athletes with disabilities to exercise in the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services and was a research assistant in the Exercise Psychology Lab. A Dean’s List honoree and James Scholar, Emily was a member of the Illini Medical Screening Society.

Darius will complete his degree in Community Health in May. He is a personal assistant in the Beckwith Residential Support Services program in Nugent Hall, and works with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District as an HIV prevention/sexual health peer and social media manager. Since the start of the COVID pandemic, he has worked as a contact tracer and interviewer.

Jamie will complete her degree in Kinesiology in 2022. She is a Certified Nursing Assistant with Synergy HomeCare and volunteers at Carle Foundation Hospital. She also volunteers as an EMS aide for Illini Emergency Medical Services, which staffs university-sponsored events. A Dean’s List honoree and James Scholar, Jamie also received the Roger Winfield Morse Memorial Scholarship this year.

Cacia will complete her degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in 2024. She became involved in medical research as a high school senior, when she participated in a work-study program with a surgical oncologist and co-authored a paper on micrometastases in colon cancer that was presented at the International Congress on Cancer Metastases. Cacia is a James Scholar.

Hyerim will pursue a career as a nurse practitioner after completing her degree in Kinesiology in May. She chose this career because of her passion for service to others. On a mission trip to Guatemala two years ago, she made a promise to return as a nurse practitioner and make even more meaningful contributions.

Mubaraka will graduate in May with a degree in Community Health. She is interested in public health practice and policy and would like to play a leadership role in reducing preventable diseases, injuries, and health imbalances. She volunteers at the food pantry in her mosque, planning activities and menus and designing flyers to promote the pantry to community members.

Nimotalahi will complete her degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in 2023. She plans to build hospitals in small villages in Nigeria that currently lack access to good healthcare. A member of the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps, she has been assisting phlebotomists and entering data for people getting tested at University COVID testing sites.

Jalyn will complete her degree in Community Health next year. She plans to become a dermatologist and develop her own line of skin care products. She has been working as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens for about a year. Becoming a pharmacist is her back-up plan, as she has gained significant knowledge about the uses of different medications.

Elisha completed her degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in December. She was an intern with the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services, a personal assistant to students in the Beckwith Residential Support Services program, and a physical therapy aide at a local hospital. A Dean’s List honoree, Elisha participated in Duke University’s DPT Summer Discovery Program.

Lauren will complete her degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences next year. She has volunteered with Merci’s Refuge, a holistic, faith-based support and recovery program for women in Champaign, IL. A Dean’s List honoree, she worked last summer with Maggie’s Place in Phoenix, AZ, which provides residential services to pregnant women and single mothers who have experienced homelessness.

Britney will complete her degree in Kinesiology in 2024. As a volunteer with the Young Olympians program at the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club, Britney guides children through physical, cultural, and educational activities. A James Scholar, she won the Fall 2020 UIUC Rhetoric Program Student Essay Contest and will have her writing published in the I Write textbook.

Aurora will complete her degree in Kinesiology next year. She is a scholar in the Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program (I-LEAP). She is active in the Pre-Physical Therapy Club and the Athletic Training Club and plans to become an athletic training aide for Campus Recreation in her senior year.

Angel is a first-year student in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. He is a member of the registered student organization I-HEAL and a Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program (I-LEAP) Scholar. He volunteers with the Department of Chemistry’s REACT program to interest third-grade students in science. He is a President’s Award Program scholarship recipient.

Virginia will complete her studies in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in 2024. She volunteered extensively throughout high school, including participating in a Catholic Charities Food Drive and co-organizing two “March for Peace” rallies, each of which drew more than 1,000 people to rally against violence in their community. Virginia is an International Baccalaureate Diploma recipient.

Eve will complete her degree in Community Health in 2024. As a SPARK Scholar, she is a research assistant on a study of relationship between exposure to violence and nutritional intake. She also is a volunteer case manager at Avicenna Community Health Center. A Dean’s List honoree and James Scholar, Eve is part of the Campus Honors Program.

Joshua will complete his degree in Community Health in 2023. He has worked as an entry-level emergency medical technician in a clinic and on an ambulance, and currently is a CPR/First Aid instructor for the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute and Illini Emergency Medical Services. He also works as a contact tracer for the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District.

Jordan is in her first year of studies toward a degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. She was mentored by firefighters and medics while training as an emergency medical technician in high school. She also was a member of Business Professionals of America, a leading career technical student organization, and competed in state finals.

Anysiah will complete her degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in 2024. Prior to the COVID pandemic, she made weekly visits to the Cantata nursing home in Brookfield, IL, where she played games and participated in activities with the residents. Unable to do this over the last year, she has kept in touch with Cantata residents by sending cards.

After graduating in May with a degree in Kinesiology, Peter will hone his leadership skills and serve his country as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his service, he plans to become a teacher and basketball coach at the middle or high school level.

Ellyce will complete her degree in Kinesiology next year. She is a research assistant in the Disability, Participation, and Quality of Life Lab. A Dean’s List honoree and James Scholar, Ellyce collaborated on a study of the effects of W-sitting in children for a class on motor development. She also is a Chancellor’s Scholar.

Victoria completes her degree in Kinesiology in May. She has been a coach and choreographer with the Rolling Meadows High School varsity gymnastics team. She is the founder and current president of the Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) Club on campus. A Dean’s List honoree and Edmund J. James Scholar, Victoria also received the Carita Robertson/PEW Scholarship this year.

Emily will complete her degree in 2022. She works as a commentator for both the men’s and women’s basketball games at a local community college. She also creates content for the college’s social media pages. A Dean’s List honoree, she volunteers as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team of a local high school.

Gabriel completes his studies in May. He is considering becoming a strength and conditioning coach for either a Division I college team or a professional team. Another area he is interested in is high school athletics, and he is contemplating pursuing a career as either a high school athletic director or guidance counselor.

Todd will complete his degree in 2024. He is a member of the game day events staff in the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, and assists with training and mentoring high school soccer players in Champaign-Urbana. Todd has received a C-U Kiwanis Club Outstanding Leadership Award and a Rotary Club of Champaign Outstanding Achievement in Athletics Award.

Seongji will graduate in December with a degree focused on Sport Management. She founded a research project group with other international students called Global Business Analytics. A Dean’s List honoree, she also has served as a group facilitator in The Career Center’s career development program for international students, and is active in the Sport Business Association.

Milton will complete his degree next year. He is an undergraduate research assistant in the Auditory Neuro Experience Lab and an intern in the Child Language Lab at Northwestern University. He serves on the executive board of the University of Illinois Dance Marathon, which raises money for St. John’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield, IL.

Kelsey will complete bachelor’s degrees in SHS and Psychology next year. She is an undergraduate research assistant in the Child Speech Research Lab and has worked in the Voice and Speech Rehabilitation Lab. A Dean’s List honoree and James Scholar, she has volunteered at the Carle Auditory Oral School and The Caring Place.

Chloe will complete her degree next year. She is a member of the Binaural Hearing Lab and the Aging and Neurocognition Lab, and serves as the Pre-Health Coordinator and Pre-SLP Ambassador in The Career Center. She also serves on the James Scholar Advisory Board. A Dean’s List honoree, Chloe also received a Sylvia Wacker Herzog Scholarship this year.

Abby is a first-year student in SHS. As a member of her high school speech team, she recited poetry and did prose reading. A Dean’s List honoree, she also volunteered with Junior Achievement’s High School Heroes program, through which she and a classmate worked with second- and fourth-grade students and led small discussion groups.

Veronica will graduate next year and pursue a career in speech-language pathology. She is no stranger to communication challenges, having total hearing loss in her right ear. She plays three instruments and sings in the campus acapella group, The Illinois Rip Chords.

Andrea will graduate next year. She assisted with research on the fluency of Spanish speakers and how they communicate in English and Spanish. She is learning Spanish Sign Language and is a member of the Bilingual Organization for SHS Students and the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association.

After graduating in May, Kelin will serve as a special education teacher with Teach for America for a year. She is an intern with The Autism Program and volunteered in the Speech Pathology Department of Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. She is president of the American Sign Language Club on campus.

Diana will complete her degree next year. She is an undergraduate research assistant in the Health Equity and Aging Lab and the Voice and Speech Rehabilitation Lab. She presented her research in the 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium. A Dean’s List honoree and James Scholar, Diana serves as vice president of the I-LEAP Advisory Board.

Sammy will complete her degree next year. As a member of the Development in Neurogenetic Disorders Lab, she assists with research on early development in infants and young children with neurogenetic disorders such as fragile X syndrome. She also volunteers with the Reading Partners Program at the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club and with University Primary School.