Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

Major: Human Development Counseling

Future Plans: Work as a middle school counselor in a public school district

Jessica Joyner chose the University of Illinois Springfield because of the “amazing” Human Development Counseling program, the wide variety of graduate assistantships and because of the welcoming campus. She is the graduate assistant for the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center and helps to organize volunteer projects on and off campus. “I like the friendliness of the staff and faculty (at UIS),” she said. “I also love how UIS makes their students top priority and they stand for equality and social justice for people of color.” Following graduation, she plans to work as a middle school counselor in a public school district.

Leadership is lived at UIS. Every day.