2024
Kofoworola Ajadi — Prairie State College — GPA 4.0
Kofo participated in Illinois Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation which led to her involvement in two research projects – “Roots of Unity” which combines mathematics and programming, and “Decomposition of Microplastics”. She is the president of Phi Theta Kappa, secretary of STEM Club, and volunteers in Real Acts of Kindness Foundation dedicated to reducing hunger and poverty in Nigeria.

Allison Brayton — John A. Logan College — GPA 4.0
Allison’s plans include studying forensic accounting with the goal of a career in data processing for a non-profit. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. When the business tutor retired, she organized with fellow classmates to fill the void and now leads a 10-person study group both through SnapChat and on campus. She also volunteers with the Jackson County Historical Society, the local Kiwanis, and is an IL RiverWatch citizen scientist monitoring stream habitat and water quality.

Briana Chavez — Carl Sandburg College — GPA 3.8
Briana plans to transfer and major in elementary education with a focus on ESL. She plans to then continue on to completion of her master’s degree. She is active in Women of Character, Hispanic Latino Student Association, TRIO SSS, Phi Theta Kappa, National Society of Leadership & Success, and is a Student Ambassador. She volunteers with Loving Bottoms and has participated in several other community service activities including chaperoning middle school dances.

Yousef Hattar — Triton College — GPA 4.0
Yousef’s goal is to complete his pre-engineering degree at Triton and transfer to pursue his B.S. in aerospace engineering. He currently tutors other students in writing, science and math, and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Creative Writing Club. He is an active volunteer at his church. By becoming an engineer, he plans to give back to his community by teaching and sharing his passion of engineering and physical science with others.

Larry Kamara — Carl Sandburg College — GPA 4.0
Larry plans to transfer with the goal of earning his B. S. in biomedical engineering and going on to medical school to specialize in cardiology. He volunteers at the Galesburg Rescue Mission which has opened his eyes to the resilience and humanity of people and the importance of compassion and empathy. He is a member of Men of Distinction, African Student Association, Phi Theta Kappa, Black Student Association, is a Student Ambassador and a member of the cross-country team.

Lorenzo Schons — Carl Sandburg College — GPA 4.0
Lorenzo’s goal is to transfer and major in psychology, specifically sports psych or clinical psych. He then plans to pursue his master’s degree in the Netherlands. He is a member of Men of Distinction (Member of the Year 2023-24), Hispanic Latino Student Association, Phi Theta Kappa, National Society of Leadership & Success, International Club (president), is a Student Ambassador and member of the soccer team. His volunteer activities are numerous and include volunteering at local middle and elementary schools through reading programs, mentoring, and chaperoning dances, Special Olympics, participating in local food programs by serving/cleaning/organizing, community cleanups, and many others.

Goda Zemblys — College of DuPage — GPA 3.5
Goda plans to transfer to U of I to major in marketing, a field she chose because she can combine her two largest interests – behavioral science and business. Upon completion of her degree she plans to apply her knowledge about marketing into the fashion and/or health industry. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and College of DuPage Honors Society. She is involved in First Generation Students events and meetings and also is part of the Business Club. She volunteers at EV Fine Arts by teaching youth how to sew. She works to help youth make the connection between being clothing consumers and the process of making clothes themselves.


2023
Jean Pierre Cabezas Ortiz
Carl Sandburg College

Perla Gonzalez
Kishwaukee Community College

Anna Krupinski
College of DuPage

Jillian McNally
Joliet Junior College

Hallee Mewes
Rock Valley College

Shannon Robertson
Lake Land College

Talianna Rubin
Lake Land College

Matt Van Duyn
College of DuPage


2022
Jackelyn Abel
College of DuPage

Josue Bashombe
Carl Sandburg College

Denise Carreto-Muñoz
College of DuPage

Zainab Imam
College of DuPage

Dina Jovanovic
College of DuPage

Bisma Khan
College of DuPage

Victoria Nguyen
College of DuPage


2021
Jansan Davis
Spoon River College

Ellie DeBock
College of DuPage

Iya Jabi
College of DuPage

Brianna Moreno
College of DuPage

Jenevee Oca
College of DuPage

Mariam Sudhir
College of DuPage

Samuel Wilson
College of DuPage

Andrea Yovahnovich
College of DuPage