Author: Sydney Flowers

Associate professor Andiara Schwingel received both the college and campus Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award for Faculty.

Dr. Schwingel came to AHS as a visiting scholar in 2008 from a position as a post-doctoral fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Asia Research Institute. In her time with KCH, she has taught more than 40 undergraduate classes on international health, women’s health, and gerontology and aging. In the Aging and Diversity Lab, she involves many undergraduate students in research that seeks to optimize well-being and independence across the lifespan and diverse populations.

Dr. Schwingel founded START, or Student Aging Researchers in Training, which places undergraduate scholars in labs across the college. She has herself mentored more than 30 START projects. A priority of the START program is to involve students from underrepresented backgrounds in research experiences, academic enrichment, and community support. She currently serves as Associate Head for Undergraduate Studies in Community Health. She also received this award in 2018. In 2013, she was awarded the Phyllis J. Hill Award for Exemplary Mentoring in the Edmund J. James Scholar Program, and she has been on the List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent nearly every semester since 2012.

Doctoral student Allyson Box received the college Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award for Teaching Assistants.

Allyson is a graduate research assistant in Dr. Steve Petruzzello’s Exercise Psychophysiology Lab, and a teaching assistant for his undergraduate class on the social and psychological aspects of physical activity.

She has been named to the List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent every semester since the fall of 2017.

Student letters supporting her nomination described her as “approachable,” “passionate,” “an exemplary teacher,” and “an exceptional communicator.” One said, “I know Allyson cares a lot about the success of her students. She would consistently stay after class to answer questions or concerns. I know my fellow classmates respected Allyson greatly.”

Professor Steve Petruzzello received the AHS Phyllis J. Hill James Scholar Award for Exemplary Mentoring.

Dr. Petruzzello joined KCH as an assistant professor in 1991 after completing his PhD at Arizona State University. He has received the college award for excellence in undergraduate teaching in 2011, the college and campus awards for excellence in undergraduate teaching in 2013, the college award for excellence in graduate student mentoring in 2016, and the Phyllis Hill award for the first time in 2018.

Since he last received the Hill award, he has mentored almost 40 additional students enrolled in the James Scholar program. His mentorship is sought-after and coveted, and he has guided an average of 19 James Scholar projects a year since 2018. His students clearly benefit from his individualized approach. One said, “I truly appreciate how Dr. P took the time to meet with each student, understand their project, provide feedback, and inspire deeper thinking. Despite his many students, he makes each individual feel validated while still challenging them to be their best selves.”

Amy O’Neill, academic advisor for the kinesiology degree program, received the campus award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising.

Since joining KCH as a kinesiology advisor in 2003, Amy has advised thousands of students. She cares deeply that each of her students has a positive experience and meets with success. She makes her office a safe haven for students, where they know they will find support through both highs and lows.

Amy teaches the course that introduces new first-year and transfer students to kinesiology. She created a kinesiology advising website to provide students with access to important resources, and she crafts a weekly email to students to share news of opportunities for involvement and growth. These were especially important over the many months that students were isolated because of COVID. She also represents AHS on the campus New Student Registration Committee and is the point of contact for the Office of Admissions on summer registration. She serves on KCH’s Honors and Awards Committee and has been a member of several college-level search committees and the College Scholarship Committee.

After completing his bachelor’s degree in Community Health, Jeremy is continuing his education in KCH toward a Master of Public Health degree. His career goal is to be a pediatric occupational therapist. He notes the abundance of opportunities and the people he met here as highlights of his undergraduate career. While he is staying on campus, he will miss the feeling of walking into first classes unsure of what lies ahead, but trusting that it will all work out.

Layan plans to pursue a career in healthcare marketing after receiving her bachelor’s degree in Community Health. She was a social media intern at ALSAC, the fundraising organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and finds the power of social media compelling. The highlight of her time here has been the intellectual and professional development she experienced. She will miss the incredible people she has met, and the support and guidance of her professors.

After receiving her PhD in community health, Kristin will work part-time as a clinical researcher with the Veterans Administration (VA). Her career goal is to be a researcher at either a university or VA facility. She studies the ways in which women use religion to cope with intimate partner violence and the impact it has on their health outcomes. Working on her dissertation was a highlight of her time at Illinois, and she will miss all of the resources available at the University of Illinois.

Zach will receive his master’s degree in Kinesiology. He begins studies toward a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Northwestern University in the fall. Ultimately, he hopes to open his own practice. As a research assistant in Dr. Marni Boppart’s Molecular Muscle Physiology Lab, he investigated extracellular vesicles in mice, and counts his research experience as a highlight of his graduate studies. He will miss his classmates and the great faculty at Illinois.

Carson will continue his studies in the Master of Science in Health Technology program after receiving his B.S. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. His goal is to develop assistive technology for older adults. In the recent Undergraduate Research Symposium, he received an award for his presentation on medication adherence for older adults. He loved being a member of the Illini Pride Student Athletic Board and is glad to have another year with the amazing faculty in AHS.

Roxanne is completing a dual degree in Community Health and Human Development and Family Studies. She is a proud first-generation Latinx alumna of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and hopes to work here as an advocate for underrepresented students. The highlight of her undergraduate studies have been the many meaningful relationships she’s established, and she will miss the support of the Community Health faculty and staff.

After receiving her Master of Health Administration degree, Morgan will begin a one-year administrative fellowship with Memorial Health, one of the leading healthcare organizations in Illinois. Her goal is to improve health and better lives as a healthcare executive. Her most valuable experience as a graduate student was connecting closely with her professors, which facilitated comprehensive learning. What she will miss most is her MHA cohort.

Ola will receive her bachelor’s degree in Community Health. She will pursue an M.Ed. in Child Studies at Vanderbilt University, with a concentration in pediatric healthcare. She plans to become a child life specialist to support hospitalized children and their families. Her highlights include interning at Carle, working in the Child Development Lab, and studying abroad in West Africa. She will miss living close to her friends, hanging out on the Quad, and having ice cream at Jarling’s.

Aaliyah is completing her degree in Kinesiology a year early and will take a gap year before applying to Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. She will work at Athletico Physical Therapy and Rush Hospital and also plans to travel. She plans to become a pediatric physical therapist and hopes to open her own clinic in Chicago. She will miss everything about the U of I because it all made her experience memorable. “I wouldn’t change a thing,” she said.

Olivia will take a gap year after receiving her bachelor’s degree in Community Health to work as a phlebotomist in a rural hospital. Her goal is to pursue a degree and a career as a physician assistant in family medicine. Highlights of her time here were serving as a peer mentor and advisor to prospective AHS students and being a teaching assistant in Chemistry. She will miss the tight-knit community that instructors and advisors create for Community Health students.

After receiving her PhD in Community Health, Michelle will go on to an advanced fellowship in Polytrauma at the Veteran’s Affairs Healthcare Center in Boston before pursuing an academic career. Her research seeks to improve physical and mental health outcomes for people who’ve experienced violence and trauma using physical activity. She valued being able to work with faculty who have diverse areas of expertise and will miss the U of I’s resources, her colleagues, and friends.

Kyla will begin work as a healthcare consulting analyst after receiving her bachelor’s degree in Community Health. In the future, she plans to pursue an MBA and a career in management with a nonprofit healthcare organization. Among her highlights are joining the Girls Next Door A Cappella group, earning a minor in business, being a James Scholar, and earning a leadership certificate. She will miss being part of a community of lively, driven, and passionate students.

Ana will continue her studies toward a PhD in Kinesiology after receiving her master’s degree this year, and plans on a career in academia. Her research interests include health disparities related to physical activity, cognitive performance, and environmental health. She is particularly grateful for the support of her advisor Dr. Susan Aguinaga and fellow Brazilian Dr. Andiara Schwingel. She will miss talking to colleagues who are completing their PhDs this year.

After receiving his Master of Public Health degree, Rafa is going to take time to celebrate his accomplishment with friends and family. His ultimate career goal is to work for a local clinic or public health department. He found all of his MPH courses valuable and the MPH faculty amazing. “They really inspired me and made me realize that this was the perfect career choice for me,” he said. He will miss describing himself as a graduate student, as well as the beautiful campus.

After receiving her Master of Public Health degree, Faith will stay at Illinois to complete a Master of Science in Health Technology. Her goal is to work as a user experience (UX) designer of consumer health technologies for older adults. Her most valuable experience has been working as a graduate research assistant in Dr. Shannon Mejia’s Adult Development, Adaptation, and Technology Lab (AdaptLab). Faith says she’ll miss the friends she has made in her cohort the most.

Daniel will take a gap year after receiving his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. He will continue working in Dr. Neha Gothe’s Exercise Psychology Lab as well as accruing shadowing hours and working as a physical therapy aide. He plans to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Being involved in the Student Aging Researchers in Training (START) program and joining a lab were highlights for Daniel, who says he’ll miss the diverse Applied Health Sciences community.

Neha will take a gap year after receiving her undergraduate degree in Community Health and will apply to medical schools. Her goal is to become a pediatrician. The highlights of her time at the University of Illinois have been the connections she’s made and the growth she has experienced. She will miss her friends, advisor, and professors who helped her make the best of her experience. She’ll also miss the campus, especially Just Bee Acai.

After receiving her BS in Community Health, Brianna will work for a year before applying to graduate programs in occupational therapy. She was a James Scholar and Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Achievement and Leadership Program Scholar and worked in the testing center in the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services. She will miss hanging out with friends on campus and going to basketball and football games.