Biology major Daniel Rodriguez is leading the effort to maintain the University of Illinois Springfield Community Garden over the summer as the project coordinator. It’s a paid student position where he works 20 hours a week watering the plants, pulling weeds and organizing volunteers. During the school year, Rodriguez is also active as a member of the TARA Meditation Club, the Biology Club and plays on the dodge ball team. When he’s not tending to the garden, Rodriguez works as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at a Springfield nursing home.

Growing up in a small town, Jake Seidel spent a lot of time working outdoors. He brought his passion for the outdoors to the University of Illinois Springfield where he’s now learning how to protect the environment as a biology major. At UIS, Seidel is president of the Biology Club, a member of the UIS Cross Country and Track and Field teams, the Capital Scholars Honors Program, Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society and Students Allied for a Greener Earth (SAGE).

When international student Maria Espinosa came to the University of Illinois Springfield from Colombia to play on the UIS women’s golf team, she knew she would grow as an athlete. However, she didn’t know she’d become a leader on campus.

Hometown: Shelbyville, Illinois
Major: Political Science
Future Plans: Attend law school and become involved in politics

Hometown: Wauconda, Illinois
Major: Biology
Future Plans: Become a dentist

Hometown: Schaumburg, Illinois
Major: Psychology
Future Plans: Pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology

Hometown: Chatham, Illinois
Major: Business Administration (Marketing Concentration)
Future Plans: Work in the marketing field

Halle Stuart enjoys the “close-knit community” at the University of Illinois Springfield. She is a worship leader for the Christian Student Fellowship and is currently interning at Springfield Memorial Hospital in the Marketing-Communications Department assisting with the hospital’s ongoing rebranding project. She chose UIS because it was close to home. Following graduation, she plans to look for employment in the marketing field.

Katie Brethorst loves history and theatre! The University of Illinois Springfield junior recently wrote her own play about the life Susan Lawrence Dana, who commissioned Springfield’s famous Frank Lloyd Wright home, and performed it on campus. Brethorst is also involved in the UIS Theatre Program, works for the Sangamon Auditorium Ticket Office, and is a staff writer for the student newspaper.

Hometown: Streamwood, Illinois
Major: Psychology
Future Plans: Earn his master’s degree in mental health counseling

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Major: Medical Laboratory Science
Future Plans: Earn a master’s degree in public health