Hometown: Mt. Prospect, Illinois
Major: Social Work

Nancy Cano chose the University of Illinois Springfield “for the small campus that would allow me to have more connections with the faculty and students,” she said. On campus, she is the marketing chair for the Baile Monarcas, a Latinx dance group. She is also a member of the Campus Child Advocates and the Art Club. Asked what she most likes about UIS, she said “besides the small community, I really like the koi fish pond.”

Leadership is lived at UIS. Every day.

Hometown: Kalaiya, Nepal
Major: Biochemistry
Future Plans: Earn a master’s degree

Hometown: Highland, Illinois
Majors: Elementary Education and Mathematical Sciences
Future Plans: Become an elementary school teacher

Hometown: Chicago, IL
Major: Information Systems Security
Future Plans: Seek job opportunities

Hometown: Decatur, Illinois
Major: Biology
Future Plans: Attend medical school

Hometown: Saarbrücken, Germany (born in Ghana)
Major: MBA with a certificate in Business Analytics
Future Plans: Enter the workforce

Hometown: Springfield
Majors: Elementary Education & Communication
Future Plans: Earn a master’s degree

University of Illinois Springfield student Amanda Brown came up with the idea to add children’s libraries to local laundry mats. She received financial support from the Kiwanis Club of Springfield-Downtown, where she is a member, to buy bookcases and other items. She also contributed books for her own childhood library, in addition to other donations.

Hometown: Alsip, Illinois
Major: Biochemistry
Future Plans: Graduate and/or professional school

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Major: Mathematical Sciences
Future Plans: Earn a master’s degree

Hometown: Carpentersville, Illinois
Major: Master’s in Human Development Counseling
Future Plans: Work as a clinical psychologist