Hometown: Peoria, IL

Major: Exercise Science

Future Plans: Become an esthetician

Nicole Thomas chose the University of Illinois Springfield because of the close-knit campus community. “I love the campus,” she said. “The people I’ve met made it my home. The one thing I like the most is the opportunities UIS offers.” On campus, she’s part of the STARS living learning community and the former president of the Picture Perfect Modeling Troupe. This semester, she’s interning and working full-time as a behavioral health technician at Lincoln Prairie Behavioral Health Center in Springfield. Following graduation from UIS, she plans to attend esthetics school to become an esthetician.

Leadership is lived at UIS. Every day.