Rachel Kostelz
After graduating in December, Rachel plans to become an occupational therapist. She mentors students as a pre-health ambassador for the Career Center, has volunteered at Carle Foundation Hospital and with the university’s We CU program, and is a member of Best Buddies. Rachel is a Dean’s List honoree and Edmund J. James Scholar.

Kelly Benjamin
After completing her Community Health degree in December, Kelly will pursue a Master of Public Health degree focused on mental health. She volunteers as a job coach for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and with her community food pantry. She received an AHS Dean’s Scholarship.
Kelly also received the Aurelio E. “Joe” Florio Scholarship this year.

Mariam Ajeigbe
Mariam will pursue a medical degree and specialize in anesthesiology after completing her studies in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in 2024. She has volunteered at South Park Pediatric Clinic and Advocate South Suburban Hospital. She is a Wentcher Scholar and serves on the executive board of I-HEAL. Mariam also received an AHS Dean’s Scholarship this year.

Alexa Cohen
Alexa will pursue a Master of Health Administration degree in AHS after graduating in May with a degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. She interned with Champaign County Health Care Consumers, shadowed physical therapists at Impact Physical Therapy, and volunteered at the CRIS Healthy Aging Center. She is a Dean’s List honoree, Edmund J. James Scholar, and President’s Scholar.

Cait Egan
Cait plans to become a physical therapist after completing her Kinesiology degree in 2023. She is a certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise and worked as a camp counselor for her hometown park district. She is an executive board member of the a capella group No Comment, and an Edmund J. James Scholar.

Alexandra Gonzalez
Alexandra will complete her Interdisciplinary Health Sciences degree next year and plans to become a physical therapist. She is a personal assistant to students with disabilities and has shadowed physical therapists at Carle Foundation Hospital. In 2016, she received a Research Apprentice Program: Outstanding Environmental Team Award from the College of ACES.

Mathilde Hanchard
Mathilde will pursue a master’s degree in Health Administration and a career in healthcare consulting after completing her Community Health studies next year. She is a Certified Nursing Assistant and has volunteered at hospitals in Mundelein and Urbana. She also is an undergraduate research assistant on a study of post-partum depression among minority women.

Armando Miranda
Armando will pursue a Master of Public Health degree after graduating from the Community Health program in May. He was a research assistant in the Department of Latina/Latino Studies and pursued his own research on reproductive autonomy through the Summer Research Opportunity Program. Armando also received a Doris Strickland-Collins and Edward W. Collins Award this year.

Abby Snelling
Ashley will complete her Community Health degree in 2023. Already a Certified Nursing Assistant, she will pursue licensing as a registered nurse and a PhD in nursing practice. She participated in the University of Illinois at Chicago Minorities in Healthcare Mentorship Program and volunteers throughout the community as a member of the Student Nurses’ Association.

Minwoo Choi
Minwoo joins the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry after completing Interdisciplinary Health Sciences studies in May. He was a dental assistant with the Champaign County Christian Health Center and a research assistant in molecular and integrative physiology. He is a Dean’s List honoree, Chancellor’s Scholar, and James Scholar. Minwoo also received an AHS Dean’s Scholarship this year.

Olivia Kupiec
Olivia graduates from the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program in May and plans to pursue medical studies. She is a research assistant in Dr. Wendy Rogers’ Human Factors and Aging Lab and volunteered in three departments at Carle Foundation Hospital. A Dean’s List honoree, Olivia was a human development intern at Clark-Lindsey Village.

Joi Newson
Joi will graduate next year with a degree in Community Health and plans to become an oncologist. She mentored at-risk students as a volunteer with the West Humboldt Park Development Council and also volunteered with the American Heart Association. Joi served as an ambassador for and received a scholarship from the nonprofit organization Beauty and Brains.

Emily Grayburn
Emily will go into healthcare administration after completing her degree in 2023. She has done research in the areas of cardiovascular disease and telehealth and is a campus Wellness Ambassador. A Dean’s List honoree and Illinois Student Assistance Commission State Scholar, Emily also is on the AHS Student Council and a member of Future Healthcare Executives.

Hadiya Jagroop
Hadiya will complete her degree in 2023. She plans to get a master’s degree in Public Health before enrolling in a dual MD/JD program. The treasurer of Mentors in Medicine, Hadiya will participate this summer in the Carle Illinois College of Medicine REACH program. She is a Dean’s List honoree, Access and Achievement Program Scholar, and President’s Scholar.

Lauren Penick
Lauren plans to become a physical therapist after completing her degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in 2023. She assisted with research on mobility and fall prevention as a SPARK Scholar. She has shadowed physical therapists in school and clinical settings. Lauren is a Campus Honors Program Scholar and Edmund J. James Scholar.

Michal Dymarsky
Michal will complete her Kinesiology degree in May and go on to studies in Physical Therapy. She was a research assistant in the Renal and Cardiovascular Disease Research Lab and serves on the executive board of the Pre-Physical Therapy Club. She received the 2020 Roger Winfield Morse Memorial Scholarship. Michal also received an AHS Dean’s Scholarship this year.

Sergio Quezada
Sergio will continue his studies toward a degree in Physical Therapy after completing his Kinesiology degree in May. He holds personal training certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. As a research assistant in the Exercise Psychology Lab, this Dean’s List honoree administered physical assessment tests and led group exercise classes.

Eric Wong
Eric will begin studies toward a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Northwestern University this fall. His undergraduate degree is in Kinesiology. He has worked with physical therapists at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services. He was a research assistant in the Exercise Psychology Lab and is a Dean’s List honoree.

Malaak Yehya
Malaak will complete her Community Health degree next year and plans to go into medicine. She spent two summers in a Northwestern University neuroscience research program and is a research assistant in a neurobiology lab on campus. She volunteers at Carle Foundation Hospital and Avicenna, a free health care clinic, and is a Dean’s List honoree.

Kelly Benjamin
After completing her Community Health degree in December, Kelly will pursue a Master of Public Health degree focused on mental health. She volunteers as a job coach for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and with her community food pantry. She received an AHS Dean’s Scholarship.
Kelly also received the Jerry D. Burnam Student Scholarship this year.

Jonathan Briick
Jonathan will teach physical education after completing his Kinesiology degree in December. An active duty member of the US Marine Corps for more than 16 years, he currently assists with research on PE teacher education, volunteers with the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club, and is a Dean’s List honoree. Jonathan also received a Carita Robertson/PEW Scholarship this year.

Gerald Yusko
Gerald hopes to improve access to fitness programs in low-income communities after completing his degree in Kinesiology next year. A corporal in the US Marine Corps, he is a certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and is completing a virtual internship with the University’s strength and conditioning program. He is a Dean’s List honoree.

Jaclyn Buczkowski
After completing her degree in Kinesiology next year, Jaclyn will pursue a career as a physical therapist specializing in prosthetics. She has shadowed physical therapists in outpatient and inpatient settings, learning about pediatric practice at Lurie Children’s Hospital and being mentored by practitioners in a private chiropractic/rehabilitation clinic. She is a Dean’s List honoree.

Summer Garrison
Summer will complete her Kinesiology degree in 2023 and hopes to become either a sports psychologist or a collegiate soccer coach. She is a member of the Illinois varsity women’s soccer team and serves on its leadership committee. A Dean’s List honoree, Summer is a Scholar in the Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program.

Eunice Kim
Eunice completed her Kinesiology degree in December. She will pursue a career in pediatric physical therapy. She volunteered at the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services and led cancer survivors through American College of Sports Medicine-based exercise sessions in the Exercise Psychology Lab. She was an Edmund J. James Scholar.

Alexis Klima
Alexis plans to become an occupational therapist after completing her Kinesiology degree next year. She has assisted Dr. Kevin Richards with studies of adapted physical education teacher education, and will assist with a COVID-19 study this summer. She volunteers in Carle’s Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center and is a Dean’s List honoree and member of the Pre-Occupational Therapy Club.

Chioma Ononogbo
Chioma hopes to continue her studies toward a Master of Public Health degree after graduating in May. She volunteers in the community through the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She has volunteered with Crisis Nursery, and completed internships with Champaign County Health Care Consumers and Medical Home Network. She is a Dean’s List honoree.

Jasmine Wilson
Jasmine will complete her degree this summer. She plans to work toward eliminating health and healthcare disparities as a physician assistant. She is a healthcare technician at Carle Foundation Hospital. Her unit was one of the first to work with COVID-19 patients. She also attended Parkland College, where she was on the Dean’s List.

Rachel Alber
Rachel will pursue a career in physical education after completing her Kinesiology degree next year. A competitive dancer for 13 years, she helped teach routines to a performance group in high school and was an assistant teacher in her local park district’s dance program. She is a President’s Award Program Scholar at Illinois and Dean’s List honoree.

Rachel Brokenshire
After graduating in December, Rachel plans to become a physical therapist. She was a rehabilitation aide in a physical therapy office and is a research assistant in the Disability Participation and Quality of Life Research Lab. She is president of the Pre-Physical Therapy Club. Rachel also received a Doris Strickland-Collins and Edward W. Collins Award this year.

Gracie Savino
Gracie plans to become a physical therapist after graduating in 2023. She is a personal assistant to students with disabilities in the Beckwith Residential Support Services Program and a research assistant in the Disability Participation and Quality of Life Research Lab. A Dean’s List honoree, Gracie also volunteers at Carle Foundation Hospital.

Erica Gonzalez
After completing a degree in Community Health next year, Erica hopes to increase access to health care resources in Latinx communities. A Dean’s List honoree, she is the student outreach and media coordinator for the Department of Latina/Latino Studies and has volunteered as a translator in elementary schools. Erica also received an AHS Dean’s Scholarship this year.

Madison Catalano
Madison completes her Kinesiology degree in May and goes on to Duke University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She is a research assistant in the Exercise Psychology Lab, a personal assistant to a student with cerebral palsy, and a volunteer at Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club. She is a Dean’s List honoree and Edmund J. James Scholar.

Lina Hawari
Lina will pursue a career in medicine after completing her Kinesiology degree in May. She volunteers at a Muscular Dystrophy Association summer camp and is a research assistant in the Disability Participation and Quality of Life Lab. She was a research fellow at the Mayo Clinic last summer. Lina also received an AHS Dean’s Scholarship this year.

Jamie Kahn
Jamie plans to become a physician assistant after completing her Kinesiology degree in 2022. She is a Certified Nursing Assistant and volunteers at Carle Foundation Hospital. She also volunteers with Illini Emergency Medical Services. She is a Dean’s List honoree, Edmund J. James Scholar, and Chancellor’s Scholar. Jamie also received an AHS Dean’s Scholarship this year.

Megan Kalinowski
Megan begins studies toward a medical degree this fall after graduating with a Kinesiology degree. She is a research assistant in the Molecular Muscle Physiology Lab and has volunteered at Carle Foundation Hospital, Lurie Children’s Hospital, and a public health clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. She is a Dean’s List honoree, Chancellor’s Scholar, and Edmund J. James Scholar.

Emilie Pettersen
Emilie completes her Kinesiology degree in May and enrolls in a Doctor of Occupational Therapy program in the fall. A Dean’s List honoree and Edmund J. James Scholar, Emilie is a research assistant in the Adolescent Development and Parenting during Transitions Lab and a personal assistant in the Beckwith Residential Support Services program.

Jonathan Briick
Jonathan will teach physical education after completing his Kinesiology degree in December. An active duty member of the US Marine Corps for more than 16 years, he currently assists with research on PE teacher education, volunteers with the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club, and is a Dean’s List honoree. Jonathan also received a Ralph Geeseman Scholarship this year.

Victoria Zervos
Victoria will become a physical education teacher after completing her Kinesiology degree in May. She was a physical education intern at Holmes Junior High School. A Dean’s List honoree and Edmund J. James Scholar, she is founder and current president of the Physical Education Teacher Education Club. Victoria also received an AHS Dean’s Scholarship this year.

Danielle Fuller
Danielle is planning a career in physical education after completing her Kinesiology degree in 2023. A Dean’s List honoree and Edmund J. James Scholar, she was an assistant teacher at a daycare facility in Lake Villa and created elementary-level physical activity curricula as an education specialist with the iPALS Virtual Wellness Program last fall.

Noah Kim
Noah plans to become a physician assistant in orthopedic surgery after completing his Kinesiology degree in May. He is a Certified Nursing Assistant at Carle Foundation Hospital and a research assistant in the Molecular Muscle Physiology Lab. He also works as a personal assistant in the Beckwith Residential Support Services program.

Tracy Wohlever
Tracy graduates in May with a degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. She plans to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. An Edmund J. James Scholar, she interned at Lurie Children’s Hospital, worked as a personal assistant in the Beckwith Residential Support Services program, and volunteered with the Carle Auditory Oral Group and Carle Foundation Hospital Department of Pediatrics.

Rachel Brokenshire
After graduating in December, Rachel plans to become a physical therapist. She was a rehabilitation aide in a physical therapy office and is a research assistant in the Disability Participation and Quality of Life Research Lab. She is president of the Pre-Physical Therapy Club. Rachel also received a Kinesiology Scholarship this year.

Armando Miranda
Armando will pursue a Master of Public Health degree after graduating from the Community Health program in May. He was a research assistant in the Department of Latina/Latino Studies and pursued his own research on reproductive autonomy through the Summer Research Opportunity Program. Armando also received a Joanne M. Carraway and Charles M. Carraway Scholarship this year.

Ellie Nelson
Ellie is a first-year student in Kinesiology and plans a career in medicine. She was an assistant to her high school volleyball coach and served on the Leadership Council for volleyball and basketball. In the summer and fall, she volunteers with Miracle League, a baseball-focused organization for people with mental and/or physical disabilities.

Lindsey Norman
Lindsey plans to become a healthcare administrator after completing her Community Health degree in 2023. She is a research assistant in the Orange and Blue Wellness Zone Program and served as an Applied Health Sciences Advancement Ambassador. She is a Dean’s List honoree, Edmund J. James Scholar, and vice president of public relations for Gamma Phi Beta.

N’Deya Randle
N’Deya will complete her Community Health degree in 2024 and plans to become either a traveling nurse practitioner or a neonatal nurse practitioner. Last summer, she completed a virtual internship at Lurie Children’s Hospital. She also has volunteered as a recreational leader at Hayes Park in Chicago and was president of her high school chapter of the National Honor Society.

Jose Garcia
Jose will complete his Kinesiology degree next year and plans to become a physical therapist. He has accumulated more than 150 hours of shadowing experience at ATI Physical Therapy, Athletico Physical Therapy, and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. A Dean’s List honoree, Jose assisted Paralympic athletes with their workouts as a volunteer in the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services.

Hyun Ju Oh
After completing her Kinesiology degree in May, Hyun Ju will pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.She organizes exercise routines focused on strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance for older adults as an undergraduate assistant in the Lifetime Fitness Program. She also created exercise videos for older members of the local Korean community.

Haihley Connors
Haihley plans to become an oncologist with a practice in an urban underserved community after completing her degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in 2023. She is a research assistant on a study of health disparities and breast cancer in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. She is vice president of I-HEAL and a President’s Award Program Scholar.

Chelsea Greco
Chelsea will seek an academic position after completing her PhD this year. Her research focuses on vocational rehabilitation, health, and career development of individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions. Her dissertation examines core areas of career development and employment to improve upon rehabilitation and reentry outcomes for individuals with disabilities who have been incarcerated.

Elinor Fujimoto
Elinor will complete her PhD in Community Health in 2025. Her research examines factors that impact response to health promotion efforts. She has worked with the Carle Neuroscience Institute and the Family Resiliency Center and received the Henrietta de Boer Volunteer of the Year Award for her work with Champaign County Health Care Consumers.

Tai-Te Su
Tai-Te will pursue an academic career after completing a PhD in Community Health in 2023. His research focuses on the functional and psychological processes of aging. He currently is investigating how older adults perceive and react to their fall risk in daily life. He developed community-based fall prevention programs as a research physical therapist in Taiwan.

Michelle Pebole
Michelle will complete her PhD in Community Health next year. As a research assistant in the Transforming Trauma and Mental Health Research Lab, she examines issues related to exercise, PTSD, health promotion, and gender. Her current research assesses the impact of trauma-related symptoms on exercise behavior, perceptions of exercise, and exercise preferences among women survivors of sexual violence.

Andrew Askow
Andrew will complete his PhD in Kinesiology in 2023. As a member of the Nutrition and Exercise Performance Research Group, he investigates the effects of combined exercise and nutrition interventions on physical function, cognition, and well-being, with the goal of promoting long-term health and function in aging and insufficiently active populations.

Marlene Robles-Granda
Marlene hopes to create new health technologies for people in underserved populations after completing her master’s degree in Health Technology in August. A software engineer, she is modeling clinical anxiety and depression based on speech, language, movement, and wearable sensor data, with the goal of promoting healthy behavior. She received a Health Technology Innovators Scholarship from the University.

Kennedy Burrell
A student in the joint BS-MPH program in Community Health, Kennedy will complete her master’s degree in August and plans to work with low-income families in a health department. Her research examines food accessibility in low-income neighborhoods and the impact of housing quality on childhood asthma. She completed an internship with Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Office of Health Equity.

Libak Abou
Libak will complete his PhD in Kinesiology next year. As a physical therapist in Brazil, he developed an interest in neurorehabilitation research. He investigates fall prediction among people living with spinal cord injury, with the goal of improving evidence-based practice in physical therapy. Libak also received the Paul D. Doolen Graduate Scholarship for the Study of Aging this year.

Allyson Box
Allyson will complete her PhD in Kinesiology in 2023. Working in the area of exercise psychology, her research examines differences in functionality and taking health risks with aging. She holds exercise physiologist certification from the American College of Sports Medicine and CPR/AED for Pro Rescuers certification from the American Red Cross.

Amadeo Salvador
Amadeo completes his PhD in Kinesiology in May and will continue his academic career as a professor. His research focuses on the physiological effects of exercise and optimizing nutrition and exercise to improve human health. He has examined muscle metabolism in endurance athletes, resistance-trained athletes, and middle-aged adults, and completed more than 500 exercise tests as an exercise physiologist.

Kevin Paulussen
Kevin will complete his PhD in Kinesiology next year. He examines the effects of protein supplementation and exercise on muscle mass loss, and uses stable isotope tracers to investigate skeletal muscle metabolism. He recently studied the impact of walnut and almond ingestion on the gut microbiome and the impact of yoga on cognitive and physical health in older adults.

Sicong Ren
Sicong will complete her PhD this year. She develops quantitative methods of measuring mechanical loading in physical activity to supplement existing qualitative methods, and is identifying the mechanical loading patters that correlate strongly with bone health outcomes. She also is leading an international effort to track bone health in children and adolescents.

Mengyi Wei
Mengyi will complete her PhD next year. She researches bullying behavior in physical activity settings to identify how physical education teachers, after-school program staff, camp counselors, and others can create positive, active, and safe learning environments for children. She recently studied the effect of the pedagogical Teaching Physical and Social Responsibility model on reducing bullying behaviors among schoolchildren.