Meet the ACE Ambassadors | Agricultural & Consumer Economics

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) 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 - especially those going through the ICT process!

Natalie Beltran

Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Elmhurst, IL
Concentration: Environmental Economics and Policy
Ambassador Bio: Natalie is a junior from Elmhurst, Illinois, studying Environmental Economics and Policy. Within the College of ACES, she is a JBT Scholar and a member of the Student Leadership Council. On campus, she is actively involved with the Student Alumni Ambassadors, Kappa Alpha Pi pre-law and government fraternity, and a social sorority. Passionate about law and policy, Natalie hopes to pursue a career in public service.

Yifei Huang

Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Nanchang, China
Concentration: Finance in Agribusiness
Ambassador Bio: Yifei is a senior majoring in ACE with a concentration in Finance in Agribusiness and minoring in Data Science. On campus, she is an active member of Data Science club and is also involved in Minority in Business Club. She is looking forward to meeting with and helping admitted students!

Olivia Kalicki

Graduation Year: 2028
Hometown: Bloomingdale, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Olivia is a sophomore majoring in ACE with a concentration in Agribusiness Markets and Management while also pursuing a minor in Business and Leadership Studies. She is a JBT Scholar and serves as the Vice President of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA). Additionally, she is involved in the Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority, ActGreen Sustainable Business Club, and REACH Social Media Marketing Club. She can’t wait to connect with new students!

Kristin Karakoleva

Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Norridge, IL
Concentration: Agricultural Accounting
Ambassador Bio: Kristin is a junior from Norridge, IL. She is currently studying Agricultural Accounting and hopes to work in tax as a CPA. Outside of class, she loves to play tennis, watch Illini sports, and hang out with her friends.

Celestial Kay-Oladimeji

Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Dolton, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Celestial is a junior majoring in ACE with a concentration in Agribusiness Markets & Management. She is a member of the NACWC (National Association of Colored Women's Clubs), and she mentors for 100 Strong and Trio SSS. She is so excited to meet and interact with the admitted freshmen and transfer students to show them why she loves the College of ACES!

Clara Kuelper

Graduation Year: 2028
Hometown: Rio, IL
Concentration: Public Policy and Law
Ambassador Bio: Clara Kuelper is a sophomore 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.

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.

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!

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 and Legal Studies. On campus, she is a member of Student Alumni Ambassadors as well as Pre-Law Honors Society. She is also a JBT Scholar and works as an ACE Student Worker in the Undergraduate Programs Office. She 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, a member of Collegiate Farm Bureau, Student Leadership Council, and serves as Standards Board Chair for Sigma Alpha Professional Agriculture Sorority. After graduation, she is planning to pursue a Master of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications.

Ben Quirke

Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Gurnee, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Ben is from Gurnee, IL (Northern suburb of the Chicago area), and hopes to become involved in the supply chain industry with food production or working with commodity trading after graduation. He loves playing basketball, running, and lifting weights in his free time.

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.

Vivian Roberts

Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Summit, NJ
Concentration: Environmental Economics and Policy
Ambassador Bio: Vivian is a Junior in ACE with a concentration in Environmental Economics & Policy, with a minor in Business, and a prospective minor in the Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Fellows Program. She is involved in her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, where she serves as the Public Relations Director. In her free time, Vivian loves running and spending time outdoors, especially snowboarding and backpacking. She is super excited to meet future ACE students!

Nate Scranton

Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Pittsfield, IL
Concentration: Finance in Agribusiness
Ambassador Bio: Nate is currently a senior at the University of Illinois majoring in ACE with a concentration in Finance in Agri-Business, while also pursing a minor in Business. On campus he is involved in the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, currently serving as the Treasurer. He is also a JBT Scholar as well as a member of the Student Advancement Committee for the College of ACES. He works part time at the ACES Funk Library as an intern.

Erika Steinman

Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Tolono, IL
Concentration: Agricultural Accounting
Ambassador Bio: Erika is a senior from Tolono, IL. After graduation, she plans to sit for her CPA and start working as an associate at an accounting firm. On campus, Erika loves walking to the Japanese Idea Garden and studying at local coffee shops.

Avery Syoen

Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Bolingbrook, IL
Concentration: Financial Planning
Ambassador Bio: Avery is a junior from Bolingbrook, IL studying Financial Planning. In the future, she hopes to become a Certified Financial Planner. In her free time, Avery enjoys going to the ARC fitness classes, crocheting, sports, and spending time outside.

Richard Yeom

Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Palatine, IL
Concentration: Consumer Economics and Finance
Ambassador Bio: Richard is currently a senior majoring in Consumer Economics and Finance with a minor in Business. He loves hiking, hanging out with friends, and discussing the political and economic state of the world.