Hometown: Chicago
Major: Criminology and Criminal Justice
Future Plans: Earn a master’s degree in legal studies and criminology

Ariel Burkes is president of the Black Women of Excellence student organization and a cheerleader at the University of Illinois Springfield. She is also a member of the NAACP. Burkes chose UIS because of the diversity and programs offered. “What I like the most about UIS is that, although it is a small school, it supports everyone and fights for everyone no matter the race or color of their skin,” she said. Following graduation from UIS, she plans to go to graduate school and find an internship in forensics or at the FBI in Texas in order to build her career.

Leadership is lived at UIS. Every day.