exterior of Huff Hall

Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program Student Awards

Emerging Leader Award

Sheniya Griffin

Sheniya Griffin

After completing her BS in Community Health in 2023, Sheniya will pursue a master’s degree in Public Health and plans to work as a health policy analyst. In 2018, she learned about social justice in medicine and health as a participant in the Academic Summer Program Integrating Resources for Excellence, or ASPIRE, at the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine.

Excellence in Transition Award

Andrea Cowper

Andrea Cowper

Andrea will pursue a master’s degree after completing her BS in Kinesiology in 2022. She plans to emphasize the importance of physical activity in health as a volunteer in underserved communities. Andrea recently retired from a 30-year career in the United States Air Force. She has volunteered with Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity.

 

Mannie L. Jackson Award

Summer Garrison

Summer Garrison

Summer will complete her degree in Kinesiology in 2023. She plans to become a coach or a sports psychologist. As a high school student, Summer completed an independent study of class size in elementary and middle schools. She also volunteered as an assistant to an art teacher through the Pasadena Educational Foundation.

 

Outstanding Senior Award

Melani McCoy

Melani McCoy

After graduating in May with a degree in Sport Management from the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism, Melani will pursue a master’s degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations at Illinois. A licensed practical nurse in the US Army Reserves and Dean’s List honoree, Melani recently volunteered with a community garden in Cape Town, South Africa.

 

Peer Mentor of the Year Award

Kari Moore

Kari Moore

Kari will pursue a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology after graduating from the Department of Speech and Hearing Science in May. A Dean’s List honoree and Edmund J. James Scholar, she is a research assistant in the Child Development Lab and has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and MedShare.

 

Research Scholar Award

Kennedy Burrell

Kennedy Burrell

After completing her degree in Community Health in May, Kennedy will begin studies toward a Master of Public Health degree at Illinois. She plans to pursue a PhD and enter academia. A Dean’s List honoree and Edmund J. James Scholar, Kennedy interned with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and volunteers with the Greater Chicago Food Depository.