Welcome, Class of 2024!
AHS E-News Fall 2020
AHS E-News reached out to incoming freshmen to find out which major they'd chosen and why. Here are the students who responded.
Josephine Aladesuru
Josephine has joined the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health as a Community Health major, and plans to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. She graduated from Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago.
“I am aware of the underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minority communities in the healthcare workforce. Pursuing this major as a Black woman will help to diversify and improve that workforce.”
Paige Alcorn
Paige graduated from Trinity High School, an all-girl Catholic school in River Forest, IL. She will pursue studies in Community Health within the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health and currently is planning to become an orthodontist.
“I have always been interested in health education and promotion. The Community Health major is very flexible so if I choose to change my career path, I will have a variety of options.”
Emily Butryn
Emily, who graduated from John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, IL, will pursue a degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences within the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health. Her goal is to become a physician assistant.
“I decided that joining AHS would best fulfill my need to achieve success in the healthcare industry. The college has support groups and clubs that facilitate communication and provide assistance throughout the program.”
Brooklyn Clough
Brooklyn graduated from McHenry Community High School West Campus in McHenry, IL. She has joined the Department of Speech and Hearing Science and plans to become a speech-language pathologist.
“I went through speech therapy and I also have witnessed people struggling with speech impediments. I chose Illinois because I felt it would prepare me best for graduate school, and I am very excited for the research experience opportunities.”
Marina DeAtley
Marina’s goal is to become a physical therapist after completing her studies in Kinesiology. She graduated from Judah Christian School in Champaign, IL.
“I had four surgeries within a four-year period and had to have a lot of physical therapy. All of my therapists were wonderful and helped me to heal physically and mentally. I have always wanted to give that same amazing experience to others who are going through similar hardship.”
Stella Emezue
Stella is pursuing studies in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences within the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health. She graduated from Downers Grove South High School in Downers Grove, IL, and hopes to help premature newborns as a physician in a neonatal intensive care unit.
“I want my major to address many aspects of the medical field. That way, when I fully commit to the direction I want to go in the field, I will have had the chance to explore them all.”
Reagan Hanson
Reagan will focus her studies on Tourism Management within the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism. She graduated from Milford High School in Milford, IL. Her career goal is to become a foreign exchange coordinator.
“I’ve always been passionate about helping to lead and manage others. I liked that RST would allow me a wide array of job opportunities.”
Sam Harris
Sam completed her entire K-12 education at Morgan Park Academy in Chicago. She has joined the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health as a Kinesiology major, and is interested in both physiotherapy and sports medicine.
“The College of Applied Health Sciences provides so many resources and opportunities that will impact my undergraduate education and future endeavors. Selecting Illinois was definitely the right choice.”
Jules Heberer
Jules plans to pursue medical studies after completing her degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health. She graduated from Wethersfield High School in Kewanee, IL.
“I was attracted to this degree program because it is the best general major for my future career. I plan to take classes in all three concentration areas: Health & Aging, Health & Behavior Change, and Health & Diversity!”
Sonali Jain
Sonali graduated from Staunton High School in Staunton, IL. She will pursue a degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health. Sonali plans to become a dentist.
“I was interested in I-Health because it gave me the opportunity to learn about many different aspects of health. Having this broad perspective will help me relate to my patients better.”
Jacob Jones
Jacob graduated from Judah Christian High School in Champaign, IL. He will pursue a degree in Community Health with a focus on Health Planning and Administration. He hopes to enter the field of medicine, possibly as a physician.
“Community Health will allow me to learn how to be a leader in a field that heals people and improves their lives. The leadership skills I gain also will help me in my everyday life.”
Abbie Keasler
Abbie graduated from Gallatin County High School in Junction, IL. She has joined the Department of Speech and Hearing Science. She is open to several career paths but currently plans to begin her career as a traveling speech-language pathologist, transitioning eventually into a school setting.
“I was attracted to the Department of Speech and Hearing Science because of the vast number of career options, all of which involve helping others live a better life.”
Katherine Kondelis
A graduate of Rochester High School in Rochester, IL, Katherine currently plans to focus her studies in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences on Health and Behavior Change. In the future, she will pursue medical school studies and is interested in pediatrics and neonatology.
“I was attracted to Interdisciplinary Health Sciences when I learned about its blend of public health and science. I also loved that the coursework is flexible and versatile.”
Cecilia Lee
Cecelia graduated from Padua Franciscan High School in Parma, OH. She has joined the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health as a major in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Cecelia plans to work in the medical field, specifically public health.
“I have always dreamed of working in public health. I think AHS offers a unique degree program where I’ll learn the skills that can help me to achieve my dream.”
Todd Marshall
Todd graduated from Central High School in Champaign, IL. He has joined the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism and will focus his studies on Sport Management. He has his sights set on working for a professional basketball team in the United States or abroad.
“I’ve been in sports all my life and I love the energy and passion around sports.”
Abby Martinez
Abby graduated from Pritzker College Prep in Chicago. She has joined the Department of Speech and Hearing Science and hopes to work either in audiology or neuropsychology.
“I’ve known that I wanted to help people communicate effectively since I started high school, but I’ve also always had an interest in human behavior. I hope to learn more about myself to decide upon and ultimately follow the right career path for me."
Lena Neaveill
Lena graduated from Cerro Gordo High School in Cerro Gordo, IL. She plans to pursue a career in speech-language pathology after completing her studies in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science.
“Throughout high school, I tutored special education students. That opportunity has inspired me to continue helping others and become a speech-language pathologist.”
Monserrat Ponce
Monserrat graduated from Elgin High School in Elgin, IL. She is majoring in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences within the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, and plans to pursue a career as either a physician or healthcare educator.
“The main reason I chose this degree is because of the well-rounded curriculum it offers to undergraduate students who are considering a pre-med track.”
Rachel Sakwa
Rachel will pursue studies in Kinesiology within the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health. She was first introduced to Kinesiology as a student at Buffalo Grove High School in Buffalo Grove, IL, and is planning at this point on a career in physical therapy.
“As an athlete, I wanted to have a deeper understanding of how the body works, and I was just beginning to dive into those topics at the end of high school. I’m excited to learn more at the U of I!”
Mackenzie Schuler
Mackenzie graduated from Peoria Notre Dame High School in Peoria, IL. She joined the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health as an Interdisciplinary Health Sciences major. She plans to pursue a career in dentistry.
“The I-Health major prepares students for a wide range of graduate programs, health careers, and pre-professional studies. It has so much to offer, and I am confident that it will craft me into a well-rounded student.”
Regan Toole
Regan will focus her studies within Community Health on Health Planning and Administration because she plans to go into hospital administration. She graduated from York Community High School in Elmhurst, IL.
“It is often said that our healthcare system works for those who do not need it. For those who desperately need help, it is nearly impossible to find the right kind of care. I want to help make healthcare more accessible for all and ensure that everyone has access to the right care.”
Lauren Torres-Turnage
Lauren graduated from Oswego High School in Oswego, IL, and has joined the Department of Speech and Hearing Science. She plans to become a speech-language pathologist.
“I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to be able to communicate with others effectively, and with confidence. My passion for helping others is what led me to this degree program.”
Joanna Verzosa-Dolezal
Joanna will be a member of the Illinois women’s soccer team. She graduated from Burnaby Central Secondary School in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, and will major in Kinesiology. She plans to become a physical therapist specializing in sports physical therapy.
“The Kinesiology program is very good here, and I want to learn from the best so that I may help people to the best of my abilities.”
Camille Ziemba
Camille plans to become an athletic trainer with a high school or sports organization after completing her degree in Kinesiology. She graduated from Buffalo Grove High School in Buffalo Grove, IL.
“The Kinesiology program offers many opportunities for research, internship, and volunteer experiences. I am so excited to spend my college career in such an excellent department that prepares students well for graduate study.”