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.
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown: Belvidere, IL
Concentration: Consumer Economics & Finance
Ambassador Bio: Matt Albrecht is a junior in ACE. In addition to being an ACE Ambassador, he is involved in Student Alumni Ambassadors, as well as Illinois Sports Business Conference.
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Hennepin, IL
Concentration: Finance in Agribusiness
Ambassador Bio: Molly Boyd is a sophomore studying Agricultural and Consumer Economics with a concentration in finance in agribusiness. In addition to being an ACE Ambassador, she is a member of 4-H House Cooperative Sorority, Illinois Collegiate 4-H, and Illinois Rowing.
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Prophetstown, IL
Concentration: Consumer Economics and Finance
Ambassador Bio: Emily Brooks is a freshman majoring in ACE – Consumer Economics and Finance. She comes from many generations of Illini and agriculturalists, so she is looking forward to being a resource for new ACE Students. In addition to serving as an ACE Ambassador, Emily is involved in 4-H House Cooperative Sorority, Collegiate Farm Bureau, Illini Emerging Leaders, and Hoof N’ Horn.
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown: Ashton, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Brett Buhrow has enjoyed working with faculty and being involved on campus in the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, ACES Student Advancement Committee, and Illini Pride Executive Board as the Block I Events Chair.
Graduation Year: 2022
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Concentration: Public Policy and Law
Ambassador Bio: Ben Cohen loves the Department of ACE. He is a member of the Central Residential Funding Board, Undergraduate Committee on Student Misconduct, and works with the Office of the Chancellor.
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Bushnell, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets and Management
Ambassador Bio: Will Hensley grew up on a grain and cattle farm in Bushnell, Illinois and went to Bushnell-Prairie City High School. On campus, he is involved in several clubs as well as the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown: Peoria, IL
Concentration: Consumer Economics and Finance
Ambassador Bio: Brend is a member of the track and field club teams on campus. He enjoys hanging out with friends, fixing motorcycles, and taking his golden retriever, Bella, for walks.
Graduation Year: 2022
Hometown: Morton, IL
Concentration: Environmental Economics and Policy
Ambassador Bio: Aleksi Knepp is a transfer student from the Department of Biology. She is a member of Illini Pride and CRU as well as working as a TA for STAT 212 and ACE 306!
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Nokomis, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Kendall Knodle grew up on a family farm in Nokomis, Illinois farming corn, soybeans, and wheat with a small herd of cattle. He is involved with clubs around campus and is also a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Carrollton, IL
Concentration: Finance in Agribusiness
Ambassador Bio: Madalyn Koster is an ACE transfer from Food Science and Human Nutrition. She is an active member of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority on campus. She is excited to interact with all the new ACE students!
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Mason, IL
Concentration: Public Policy and Law
Ambassador Bio: Because of her roots on a hog and grain farm in Southern Illinois, Emma Kuhns is passionate about all things production agriculture and law. In addition to being an ACE Ambassador, Emma is an Illinois Student Admissions Representative and the Scholarship Chair for Sigma Alpha Professional Agriculture Sorority. She can't wait to meet you!
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Carlinville, IL
Concentration: Public Policy and Law
Ambassador Bio: Reagan Kulenkamp is a sophomore in ACE. In addition to serving as an ACE Ambassador, Reagan is on the Executive Board and Treasurer of Nabor House Fraternity and is a member of the College of ACES Student Advancement Committee.
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown: Peoria, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Sarah Meghrian is a junior double majoring in ACE and Ag Communications. She is involved with various other leadership roles on campus in Panhellenic Council and Illini Emerging Leaders.
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Macedonia, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Kate Miller is a freshman in ACE and a new member in the 4-H House pledge class of 2025. In her free time she enjoys going to the ARC, grabbing coffee, and hanging around campus.
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown: Lena, IL
Concentration: Agricultural Accounting
Ambassador Bio: Jackie Moest is a Junior in ACE with a minor in business. On campus, she is an active member in her sorority Phi Mu and works at the ACF lab.
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown: Hanover Park, IL
Concentration: Financial Planning
Ambassador Bio: Jocelyn Nguyen is a junior with a concentration in Financial Planning. Outside of class, she is an active member of the Financial Planning Club, Asian American Association, Minority Business Student Association, and the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity. She can't wait to spread her love for the ACE family to prospective and incoming students!
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown: Lewistown, IL
Concentration: Financial Planning
Ambassador Bio: Nick Pollitt is a Junior with a Concentration in Financial Planning. On campus, he is involved with the Delta Chi Fraternity and the Financial Planning Club. Nick is looking forward to being a resource for any students who need advice!
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Bloomington, IL
Concentration: Agricultural Accounting
Ambassador Bio: Ellie Strubhar is a Sophomore in ACE studying Ag-Accounting with a minor in Food and Agribusiness Markets and Management. Outside of ACE Ambassadors she is involved in the Exec Board for her sorority and in Accounting club.
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Sublette, IL
Concentration: Finance in Agribusiness
Ambassador Bio: Margaret Vaessen is from a small town in northern Illinois. She is passionate about advocating for agriculture, small businesses, and rural America. In her free time, she loves spoiling her niece and nephews, being active outdoors, and cooking.