Growing up on the south side of Chicago, BSIS student Devon Reynolds always saw his future in technology. He discovered the information sciences program during his senior year of high school and was drawn to its balance of challenging coursework. Choosing the iSchool at Illinois felt like a natural next step. 

BSIS+DS student and undergraduate ambassador Alex Soja discusses his meaningful experience studying abroad in Japan, where he got the opportunity to live independently in Tokyo and gain a more global perspective.

When BSIS+DS student Colin Bertrand steps onto the field with the Marching Illini, he isn't just performing; he's continuing a passion he's nurtured since childhood. He first encountered the Marching Illini as a young fan attending games, and the experience stuck with him. By the time he joined his high school drumline, his love for it had only grown. 

BSIS student Daria Meshcheriakova came to the iSchool with intention. Originally from Russia, where she lived for 17 years, Meshcheriakova moved to Chicago and attended Harold Washington Community College before transferring to the University of Illinois. Among potential universities, Illinois proved to be the best fit.

To say that BSIS+DS student Affan Leebe keeps busy outside of the classroom is an understatement. A first-generation student from Chicago, Leebe has held three internships, led recruitment for the iSchool's professional fraternity, won a FactSet Client Case Competition, and mentored dozens of students. On top of that, he travelled to New York City during the spring 2025 semester to serve as emcee for the ATLAS Fellows Graduation Gala at the Museum of Modern Art.

The Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute (IHSI) has selected BSIS student Dhanvi Puttur and BSIS+DS student Lara Terpetschnig as 2025 Community-Academic Scholars. Representing nineteen majors and nine minors in eight colleges and schools at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and two additional universities, the eighteen scholars in this cohort encompass diverse fields of study, from community health to graphic design to statistics. 

Several iSchool undergraduate students will participate in the 18th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. During the event, visitors will learn about undergraduate research projects through oral and poster presentations, creative performances, and art exhibits. All are welcome to attend the symposium, which will be held on April 24 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. in the Illini Rooms and South Lounge of the Illini Union. Oral presentations will be held on the second floor of the Illini Union.

BSIS student Saloni Gore is passionate about community service, especially projects related to sustainability and social impact. It is this commitment to making a difference that prompted her to start a project to help provide clean water to rural communities in India and led her from Singapore to the iSchool, where she can learn how to use data and technology to benefit the world.

BSIS + DS student Jenny Mai discusses her study abroad experience in Melbourne, Australia, a country filled with energy, culture, and a laid-back but driven attitude. According to Mai, "living in Melbourne has been more transformative" than she expected!

iSchool undergraduates Madisen LeShoure and Harshitha Vetrivel have been awarded Kathryn J. Oberdeck Social Justice Scholarships. The scholarship program, which is sponsored by the Campus Faculty Association at Illinois, awards $1,000 scholarships for undergraduate students who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to social justice in the community.