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: 2025
Hometown: Prophetstown, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Emily Brooks 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 4-H House Cooperative Sorority Interview Chair, UIUC Hoof N’ Horn Alumni Relations Chair, and an active member of UIUC Collegiate Farm Bureau.
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown: Ashton, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Brett has been involved heavily with recruitment for his major, college, and the university through his involvement in the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, ACE Ambassador, and the College of ACES Student Advancement Committee. After graduation he plans to enter the Crop Protection industry in sales. In his free time he coaches basketball and raises show cattle.
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Milford, IL
Concentration: Public Policy and Law
Ambassador Bio: Bailee Fanning is a junior studying ACE Public Policy and Law. Bailee is originally from Milford, Illinois, where her passion for agriculture first started on her family farm. She is active in Sigma Alpha Professional Agriculture Sorority, Student Advancement Committee, and Collegiate Farm Bureau. Bailee hopes to pursue a career in agriculture policy and lobbying in the future.
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Chardon, OH
Concentration: Public Policy and Law
Ambassador Bio: Christina Fraser is a junior in ACE Public Policy and Law. When she's not going to class, studying, or doing her job as SORF secretary, you can find her at the ARC training for her next powerlifting meet or watching bad reality TV with her friends. Christina is Vice President and co-founder of Illini Barbell and an active show team member of the Illini Equestrians Western team.
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Concentration: Financial Planning
Ambassador Bio: William Garcia is a first-generation Latino from Chicago studying Financial Planning with a minor in Spanish. Will is a Senior and a member of a multi-cultural organization called Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., part of the Financial Planning Club and Dance 2Xs Caliente. Some of his hobbies include working out, dancing, cooking, photography and traveling whenever possible. Will's post-graduation goals include becoming a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and helping others achieve their financial goals.
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Mahomet, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Kayin Garner is a junior majoring in ACE with a concentration in Agribusiness Markets and Management from Mahomet, IL. She is a member of Chi Omega sorority and a Christian organization called GreekCru. After graduation, she hopes to become a grain merchandiser. ILL!
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Bushnell, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Will Hensley is currently a sophomore in Agribusiness Markets and Management. He grew up on a farm in western Illinois and went to a small high school in Bushnell, Illinois. On campus, he is involved in the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, the College of ACES Student Advancement Committee, and the Campus Honors Program.
Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Oswego, IL
Concentration: Finance in Agribusiness
Ambassador Bio: Jason grew up in a suburb of Chicago, Oswego, and is currently studying Finance in Agribusiness with the hope to go into accounting. On campus, he is involved in the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, and enjoys all Illini sports.
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Nokomis, IL
Concentration: Farm 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: Tuscola, IL
Concentration: Consumer Economics and Finance
Ambassador Bio: Colin Lewis comes from a small town south of Champaign. He is enthusiastic about the impact the ACES program has on the agricultural world. From the professors to the students, the ACES program is able to create progress on local and global challenges.
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Princeton, IL
Concentration: Public Policy and Law
Ambassador Bio: Grace May is a sophomore studying Agricultural and Consumer Economics with a concentration in Public Policy and Law with minors in Business and Political Science. With her degree, she hopes to eventually work in policy development to bring more opportunities to small communities like the one she grew up in. When she is not studying or working in Soybean Research for the Department of Crop Sciences, she can be found doing one of her numerous ADHD-developed hobbies or cheering on the Illini at a sporting event.
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Schaumburg, IL
Concentration: Environmental Economics and Policy
Ambassador Bio: Olivia Messerges is a junior in ACE Environmental Economics and Policy with minors in Legal Studies and Sustainability, Energy, and Environment. In addition to being an ACE ambassador, Olivia is the Project Officer of the Environmental Coalition, a member of the Pre-Law Honors Society, and a frequent volunteer with Project for Less. She is excited to work with all prospective students, especially transfer students!
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Macedonia, IL
Concentration: Agricultural Accounting
Ambassador Bio: Kate Miller is a junior majoring in ACE with a concentration in Agricultural Accounting. She is a member of the 4-H House Cooperative Sorority, Collegiate Farm Bureau, and ACES Council. She is beyond happy to be able to call the University of Illinois home!
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown: Lena, IL
Concentration: Agricultural Accounting
Ambassador Bio: Jackie Moest is a senior with a concentration in Ag-Accounting with a minor in Business. Outside of ACE Ambassadors she works at the ACF Lab and enjoys hanging out with friends.
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Versailles, OH
Concentration: Policy, International Trade and Development
Ambassador Bio: From Ohio to Springfield and now to Champaign, Emma Peters is a transfer student from Lincoln Land Community College excited to experience all that the University of Illinois has to offer. She hopes that her farming background and unique college experience will help new ACES students find their place. On campus, Emma is involved in Sigma Alpha, UIUC Hoof N' Horn, and Collegiate Farm Bureau.
Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Jerseyville, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Due to her involvement in FFA during high school, Sara Poletti is very passionate about the agriculture industry. She is a Freshman majoring in ACE with a concentration in Agribusiness Markets and Management. Sara is a member of Collegiate Farm Bureau and serves as Ag in the Classroom Co-chair for Sigma Alpha Professional Agriculture Sorority.
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Selangor, Malaysia
Concentration: Consumer Economics and Finance
Ambassador Bio: Shirel is a sophomore set to graduate early and aspires to be an economic consultant in the future. Outside of classes, she holds leadership positions in the Illini Life Christian Fellowship and Vermiculture club.
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Jacksonville, IL
Concentration: Public Policy and Law
Ambassador Bio: Gavin grew up in Jacksonville, IL and is currently a sophomore concentrating in Public Policy and Law. He is currently serving as the Recruitment Chair of Alpha Gamma Rho.
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown: Saint Joseph, IL
Concentration: Environmental Economics and Policy
Ambassador Bio: Jenna Schaefer is a senior in environmental economics and policy. She's passionate about sustainability, so is very involved in the RSO Project for Less and is an intern at the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment.
Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Pittsfield, IL
Concentration: Finance in Agribusiness
Ambassador Bio: Nate grew up in a small town in western Illinois and has a love for sports. At the university, he is a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and loves spending time with friends and meeting new people. I-L-L!
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Chicago Heights, IL
Concentration: Environmental Economics and Policy
Ambassador Bio: Maria Vasquez is a junior in ACE Environmental Economics and Policy, is pursuing a minor in Business, and is in the Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Fellows Program. She is the Vice President of Stitching Illini and even runs her own small crochet business, Yarnapeutic. She hopes to achieve a career in environmental policy and looks forward to helping incoming students find their passion!