McKayla Bartkiewicz of Princeton receives an $8,000 scholarship from the University of Illinois Springfield

McKayla Bartkiewicz of Princeton, a senior at Princeton High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for fall semester 2020 and awarded an $8,000 Lincoln Merit Scholarship for tuition over four years. She plans to major in political science at UIS.

The scholarship is awarded based on GPA and ACT/SAT scores and can be renewed for a total of four years if the student maintains college GPA requirements.

At Princeton High School, she is a member of the golf team, German Club and the prom committee.

“I am choosing UIS because it is in the perfect spot for all that I want to accomplish,” she said. “It is far enough from home to learn to thrive, but also close enough to be able to see my family regularly. The school is also the perfect size for me and offers everything I am looking for to further my education. I am so beyond excited to learn and further my education at UIS.”

Following graduation from UIS, she plans to intern in Washington, D.C. and later return to school to earn her law degree.

All incoming UIS freshmen are eligible to apply for Lincoln Merit Scholarships. The amount awarded is based upon the incoming student’s ACT or SAT score. To receive $8,000 over four years, students must earn an 18-20 on their ACT or a minimum 940 SAT score and hold a minimum high school GPA of 3.26 or above.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217-206-6724 or finaid@uis.edu. For a full list of scholarship opportunities, visit uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/.

Max Pernitsky of West Frankfort receives a $12,000 scholarship from the University of Illinois Springfield

Max Pernitsky of West Frankfort, a recent graduate of Frankfort Community High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for fall semester 2019 and awarded a $12,000 Lincoln Merit Scholarship for tuition over four years. He plans to major in political science at UIS.

The scholarship is awarded based on GPA and ACT/SAT scores and can be renewed for a total of four years if the student maintains college GPA requirements.

At Frankfort Community High School, he was on the football, wrestling and track teams. He was also a member of Youth and Government Program and the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Program (WYSE).

He says he decided to come to UIS because of the political science program. Following graduation, he plans to attend law school.

All incoming UIS freshmen are eligible to apply for Lincoln Merit Scholarships. The amount awarded is based upon the incoming student’s ACT or SAT score. To receive $12,000 over four years, students must earn an 18 to a 20 on their ACT or a minimum of 940 SAT and hold a minimum high school GPA of 3.76 or above.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217/206-6724 or email finaid@uis.edu. For a full list of scholarship opportunities, visit www.uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/.

Collin Moseley of Flora receives a $14,000 scholarship from the University of Illinois Springfield

Collin Moseley of Flora, a senior at Flora High School (FHS), has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for Fall Semester 2019 and awarded a $14,000 Lincoln Scholarship for tuition over four years. He plans to major in political science at UIS.

The scholarship is awarded based on GPA and ACT/SAT scores and can be renewed for a total of four years if the student maintains college GPA requirements.

Moseley holds the Illinois seat on the National Youth Leadership Council and is the student body president at Flora High School. He’s also the vice president of Illinois Future Farmers of America (FFA) Section 23, committee chairman for Veterans’ Wall of Honor, a member of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA); the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and plays on the FHS tennis team.

Moseley learned about UIS in eighth grade while serving as an honorary page for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

“While doing this, I learned of the opportunities available through the Capitol and through UIS,” he said. “Knowing these things, before I even came to campus, I wanted to be a Prairie Star. So after making an official visit to the campus, the opportunities, the city which I love, and the beauty of this school made it a very easy decision for me.”

Following graduation from UIS, Moseley plans to remain in Springfield working in legislation and government affairs in a position that he hopes will lead him to a job in Washington, D.C. He also has ambitions to run for a political office.

All incoming UIS freshmen are eligible to apply for Lincoln Merit Scholarships. The amount awarded is based upon the incoming student’s ACT or SAT score. To receive $14,000 over four years, students must earn a 24 to a 26 on their ACT or a minimum of 1160 SAT and hold a minimum high school GPA of 3.5.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217/206-6724 or email finaid@uis.edu. For a full list of scholarship opportunities, visit www.uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/.

Shaneela Aaron of Chicago admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield

Shaneela Aaron of Chicago, a senior at Roberto Clemente Community Academy, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for the fall 2018 term.

At Roberto Clemente, she is a cheerleader and a dancer. She plans to major in political science at UIS.

“I choose UIS because of the Illinois Innocence Project,” she said. “This is a unique and good hands-on program for pre-law students, such as myself.”

Following graduation from UIS, she plans to go to law school and study criminal law in order to become a lawyer.

The University of Illinois Springfield is proud to be one of three universities in the world-class University of Illinois System. Nearly 5,000 students enroll each year at UIS seeking a U of I degree in the friendly learning environment of a smaller university. Located in the state capital, UIS has a special mission in public affairs and has produced thousands of leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

For more information on the University of Illinois Springfield, contact the Office of Admissions at 888/977-4847 or go online at www.uis.edu/admissions.

Crystal Terrazas of Berwyn awarded a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Crystal Terrazas, a resident of Berwyn and double major in legal studies and political science at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Lee Humphrey Dodd Memorial Scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Terrazas, who plans to continue her education in law school, said she found her passion for practicing law while participating in middle school debates.

“During one project, I was the only one defending a side of the argument, to help those that couldn’t help themselves,” she said. “That’s when I realized that is exactly what I wanted to do with the rest of my life; to protect those that can’t protect themselves.”

On campus Terrazas’ leadership helped establish the Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority on campus. She has also served as a resident assistant, a member of OLAS (Organization of Latin American Students), and Model United Nations.

As part of Model United Nations, Terrazas traveled to New York as part of the UIS Delegation, and received the “Outstanding Delegation” award, the highest recognition awarded by the national organization.

She credits her internships with the Atteberry Law Office and political campaigns for Ann Callis and Sen. Dick Durbin with preparing her for law school and her career.

Currently she is working with the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, helping people who are unable to afford legal services.

Terrazas is on track to graduate in 2018 and will attend law school. After that, she plans to open her own law firm concentrating in immigration rights, family law and women’s rights.

“My internship, organizations and classes have shown me that many people are unable to fight or defend themselves,” she said. “I want to be someone that can do that.”

The Lee Humphrey Dodd Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the life of Dodd, a Springfield-area attorney who became the first woman to be named first assistant state’s attorney.

To qualify for the Lee Humphrey Dodd Memorial Scholarship, students must be a legal studies or criminal justice major with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217/206-6724 or finaid@uis.edu.

For a full list of scholarship opportunities visit www.uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/. The deadline to apply for institutional scholarships is February 15, 2018.

If you are interested in creating a scholarship, please contact the UIS Office of Advancement at 217/206-6058 or giftinfo@uis.edu.

Miguel Valente of Chicago admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield

Miguel Valente of Chicago, a senior at Hubbard High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for the fall 2018 term.

At Hubbard, he is a member of the JROTC Drum and Bugle Corps, Students Working in Technology (SWIT), computer club, student council and is the senior class officer. At UIS, he plans to major in political science.

“I chose UIS for its political science program, support system, and student organizations being offered that will truly help me to succeed after college,” he said.

Following graduation, he plans to continue his service in the Illinois Army National Guard and run for the mayor of Chicago in 2023.

The University of Illinois Springfield is proud to be one of three universities in the world-class University of Illinois System. Nearly 5,000 students enroll each year at UIS seeking a U of I degree in the friendly learning environment of a smaller university. Located in the state capital, UIS has a special mission in public affairs and has produced thousands of leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

For more information on the University of Illinois Springfield, contact the Office of Admissions at 888/977-4847 or go online at www.uis.edu/admissions.

Bryce Thomas of Hawthorne Woods receives UIS Capital Scholars Honors Scholarship

Bryce Thomas, a recent graduate of Carmel Catholic High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield and awarded a $20,000 Capital Scholars Honors Scholarship for tuition over 4 years.

The scholarship is awarded based on GPA and ACT/SAT scores and can be renewed for a total of four years if the student maintains college GPA requirements.

Thomas plans to pursue a degree in Political Science and hopes to someday work in politics in Springfield.

“UIS has the best tools to help me successfully navigate my major,” he said.

At Carmel Catholic High School, Thomas was involved in Youth and Government, Student Council, theatre, and served as senior class president.

The CAP Honors Program is a selective undergraduate program combining high standards and emphasis on excellence with a small residential college model, enrolling only about 100 first-year students each year. The program brings together intellectually strong students with talented, dedicated faculty to create a unique academic environment within the greater UIS community.

Capital Scholar Honors students participate in an interdisciplinary core curriculum designed to prepare students for their major and provide leadership opportunities.

In order to receive a $20,000 Capital Scholars Honors Scholarship, the student must earn a 24 to a 26 on their ACT or a minimum of 1160 SAT and hold a minimum high school GPA of 3.0.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217/206-6724 or email finaid@uis.edu.

For a full list of scholarship opportunities visit www.uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/.

Aldo Garcia of Waukegan admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield

Aldo Garcia, a senior at Waukegan High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for the fall 2016 term.

Garcia will be majoring in political science at UIS with a focus on secondary education. He hopes to become a teacher following graduation and possibly seek political office later in life.

“I chose UIS because I want to learn about politics, and what better way to learn about politics than in my state’s capital,” said Garcia. “I really fell in love with the campus, and the environment, and with Springfield in general.”

In high school, Garcia played soccer and was a member of the class council and the Anime Manga Club. He was also a member of the Waukegan High School Student Council and served as president of the Northeast District of Student Councils.

The University of Illinois Springfield is one of three campuses of the world-class University of Illinois. Over 5,000 students enroll each year at UIS seeking a U of I degree in the friendly learning environment of a smaller university. Located in the state capital, UIS has a special mission in public affairs and has produced thousands of leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

For more information on the University of Illinois Springfield, contact the Office of Admissions at 888/977-4847 or go online at www.uis.edu/admissions.