If I could describe my three years in college thus far, I would more than likely describe them as truly life-changing. It sounds corny I know, but there is no other word that best fits how much I've grown and progressed especially through the College of ACES. I remember my freshman year as an ACE student, I wondered what type of person I would grow to be, and what kind of changes I could implement for the purpose of inspiring others while also changing myself for the better.

As a senior getting ready to graduate from Financial Planning, I am spending a lot of time lately reflecting on all of the opportunities that ACE has given me.  Through my involvement with the program, I have had many wonderful opportunities.  ACE’s small class sizes allowed me the chance to better get to know my professors, which opened up many doors for me.  These connections led me to an internship and then full-time offer with my dream financial planning firm.

As a junior in the College of ACES, I have had the opportunity to grow and learn within the college, and now as an ACE ambassador hope to share my positive experiences within the college with others. It has been an incredible experience so far working with such friendly, caring and committed professors and counselors. I feel as if I have joined a community with people who strive to form me into a well-developed, highly educated and passionate student.

I am a junior in ACE with a concentration in Finance in Agribusiness. Being from the Southside of Chicago, I never thought I would end up calling the College of ACES home. I started at the University of Illinois in the Division of General Studies knowing I wanted to pursue a career in the business sector, but unaware of how to obtain such a dream. Researching this applied economics department, I applied to ACE in the spring of my freshman year. Little did I know I was on my way down a wonderful path of self-discovery.

Over the summer I was traveling in Spain, and my family and I decided to go to a bullfight in Madrid. We thought it would be a good idea to immerse ourselves into the Spanish culture. Unsuspecting of what we were about to witness we bought tickets and sat at the very last row of the stadium. At first the bullfight seemed normal and it involved everything I expected. Finally, a man on horse back in the arena started stabbing the bull with a large spear. The bull started bleeding out, but the torero, (the human baiting the bulls) continued to torture the bull.

This year's International Development and Global Nutrition students recently completed their Learning in Community course as a part of their semester abroad at Njala University. Students studying agribusiness worked with the Animal Production Division at Njala, analysing layer production in the poultry unit. The Global Health and Nutrition program conducted a survey of nutritional profile of mothers and children in the village surrounding the Njala campus.

As a junior in the College of ACES, I have had the opportunity to grow and learn within the college, and now as an ACE ambassador hope to share my positive experiences within the college with others. It has been an incredible experience so far working with such friendly, caring and committed professors and counselors. I feel as if I have joined a community with people who strive to form me into a well-developed, highly educated and passionate student.

My name is Michael Tonner. I am a Junior in ACE with a concentration in Consumer Economics and Finance, with a minor in Leadership studies. Last semester I took ACE 199 Chicago Business Immersion Program. The class was structured as a 8-week class with a immersion trip to Chicago over Christmas Break. During class time, we heard from established graduates from U of I present their career and professional experiences. It was interesting to hear about all the diverse industries that ACE students could possibly enter into. Class time was also used to prepare for the trip as well. 

The best thing, in my opinion, about the ACE Department is the fact that you get world-class faculty and staff, but it still small enough that it feels like a lot of people know you.  Your advisor and professors very often know you by name, something that does not always happen at a big ten university.  That has really made a difference with me.  When you first go off to college, so much is new.  It really helps to have friendly faces around that you know and that know you.  Pursuing your major in ACE is exciting, and I would even refer to it as comforting.  Th

Where do you even begin? At the University of Illinois there are so many opportunities, but in the College of ACES in filled with opportunities that make you feel at home.  As a junior transfer student at the University of Illinois, I wanted to immerse myself in opportunities.  What a better place than ACE! Want to study abroad? No problem let's go to China! Compete in the National Marketing competition? Took third place!