Melissa Van is getting a jumpstart on her future career at the University of Illinois Springfield where she helps promote student events on campus as the marketing chair for the Student Activities Committee and the Asian Student Organization. “I make flyers, distribute flyers, do word of mouth and social media advertising,” she said. Van is also the vice president of the UIS Community Garden Club and a Capital Scholars Honors Program peer mentor. Following graduation from UIS, she plans to use the knowledge she’s obtained in the classroom and by marketing events at UIS to launch her career. “I really want to do something with marketing. I’m not sure yet, but I’m thinking advertisements, maybe something with movies.”

Leadership is lived at UIS. Every day.