Meet the ACE Ambassadors

We are proud of our outstanding students in the Department of ACE and are fortunate to have a group of students to represent the department and tell our story.

The ACE Ambassador Program is a group of trained students who assist prospective students in their college exploration process. Ambassadors work closely with the Department of ACE Undergraduate Programs Office as well as the College of ACES Office of Academic Programs to enhance the admissions process for prospective and incoming students. Our ambassadors also function as leaders and foster a network of peer support where students and prospective students can voice their questions and get information on many aspects of student life.

Our Ambassadors

Liberty Anderson

Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Galva, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Liberty is a senior in ACE with a concentration in Agribusiness Markets and Management and a minor in Business. She currently serves as the Marketing Coordinator for the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), the Director of Communications for Commodity Trading Associates (CTA), and works as a Resident Assistant in Private Certified Housing. Liberty transferred into the College of ACES through the inter-collegiate transfer (ICT) process after her freshman year. She is so excited to meet and assist prospective ACE students!

Jack Conner

Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Hanover Park, IL
Concentration: Financial Planning
Ambassador Bio: Jack is a Junior studying Agricultural and Consumer Economics with a concentration in Financial Planning. He is a transfer student from his hometown community college, so he would love to answer any questions about the transfer process. Being a first-year on campus, he has current experiences of what it is like to be new to campus life.

Nancy Espinoza

Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Hoffman Estates, IL
Concentration: Financial Planning
Ambassador Bio: Nancy is a current Junior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign studying financial planning and minoring in Business. On campus she is an active member of The Association of Latino Professionals for America, and also apart of Financial Planning Club. After graduation she hopes to work in the wealth management industry and her goal is to be able to help individuals and families achieve financial goals. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and watching new TV shows.

Kristin Karakoleva

Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Norridge, IL
Concentration: Agricultural Accounting
Ambassador Bio: Kristin is a junior transfer student studying Agricultural Accounting. Throughout her time at the University of Illinois, she has been part of the Accounting Club and the Eastern European Illini. She is looking forward to meeting with students and helping them navigate their future!

Clara Kuelper

Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Rio, IL
Concentration: Public Policy and Law
Ambassador Bio: Clara is a junior studying Agricultural and Consumer Economics with a concentration in Public Policy and Law. She plans to pursue a career in agricultural law after attending law school. She is currently serving as the 4-H House President and is also involved in Collegiate Farm Bureau and Hoof n' Horn Club.

Callie McAdams

Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Carrollton, IL
Concentration: Environmental Economics and Policy
Ambassador Bio: Callie is a senior studying Environmental Economics & Policy with minors in Political Science and Legal Studies. She plans to attend law school and ultimately pursue a career in legislative work. She currently serves as Vice President of Campus Affairs for the Student Alumni Ambassadors and Risk Management chair for Kappa Alpha Pi pre-law fraternity. Callie loves Illinois and is excited to share insights with new students.

Alexis Nall

Graduation Year: 2028
Hometown: Kilbourne, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Alexis is a sophomore from Kilbourne, Illinois, located between Springfield and Peoria, studying Agribusiness Markets and Management. She plans to attend law school after graduation to become an agricultural and estates attorney. On campus, she stays active in Sigma Alpha, Hoof N’ Horn, and Collegiate Farm Bureau, which deepens her connection to agriculture and leadership.

Anna Ocotl

Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Concentration: Finance in Agribusiness
Ambassador Bio: Anna is a senior studying Finance in Agribusiness in the College of ACES. She is from the South Side of Chicago and is proud to be a first-generation Latina student. After graduation, Anna wants to broaden her knowledge and skills in a bank environment. In her free time, she loves enjoying moments with friends, taking walks with her dog, exploring new food and drink places, attending concerts, shopping, and cooking!

Anuj Patel

Graduation Year: 2028
Hometown: Hoffman Estates, IL
Concentration: Agricultural Accounting
Ambassador Bio: Anuj is a sophomore from Hoffman Estates, IL. He is currently studying agri-accounting and hopes to pursue a career in audit or tax after getting his CPA. Outside of class he likes running, working out, and watching football.

Sarah Pettigrew

Graduation Year: 2028
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Concentration: Public Policy and Law
Ambassador Bio: Sarah is a sophomore majoring in ACE with a concentration in Public Policy and Law with minors in Leadership Studies, Legal Studies, and Political Science. On campus, she is a member of Student Alumni Ambassadors, Pre-Law Honors Society, and Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law Fraternity. She is a JBT Scholar and a James Scholar and works as an ACE Student Worker in the Undergraduate Programs Office. Sarah loves Illinois and is looking forward to meeting new students!

Sara Poletti

Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Jerseyville, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Sara is a senior majoring in ACE with a concentration in Agribusiness Markets and Management and minoring in International Development Economics. She is a JBT Scholar and a member of Student Leadership Council and Sigma Alpha Professional Agriculture Sorority. After graduation, she is planning to pursue a Master of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications.

Karleigh Prose

Graduation Year: 2028
Hometown: Girard, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Karleigh is a sophomore studying Agribusiness Markets and Management. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in agronomy retail sales or crop scouting, where she can combine hands-on work with relationship building. In her free time, she enjoys staying involved in agriculture-related organizations, attending Illinois sports games, and spending time with friends and family.

Abby Rieke

Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Concentration: Environmental Economics and Policy
Ambassador Bio: Abby is a junior from Naperville, Illinois and is currently double majoring in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, as well as Environmental Economics and Policy.

Cecil Ryan

Graduation Year: 2028
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Concentration: Environmental Economics and Policy
Ambassador Bio: Cecil is a sophomore studying Environmental Economics & Policy with a minor in Legal Studies, planning to attend law school after graduation. She is a member of the JBT Scholars program here at Illinois. Outside of class, she's part of the Mock Trial team as well as a theater RSO and works for Campus Recreation!

Fatima Siddiqui

Graduation Year: 2028
Hometown: Palatine, IL
Concentration: Public Policy and Law
Ambassador Bio: Fatima is a sophomore from Palatine, Illinois, studying Public Policy and Law with minors in Legal Studies and Business. On campus she is a JBT Scholar, Vice President of DEI and Operations for Society of Women in Public Affairs and a member of the Illini Cross Country and Track & Field Club Team. Fatima is excited to meet future ACE students!

Tavariana Simmons

Graduation Year: 2028
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Concentration: Agricultural Accounting
Ambassador Bio: Tavariana is majoring in ACE with a focus on Agricultural Accounting and has a goal of becoming a CPA. When she's not in class you’ll usually find her watching shows in various languages and genres, though horror and comedy are definitely her favorites.

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