We CU and the Humanities Research Institute (HRI), with generous support from Dr. Dan Shin, a double-major alumnus (Honors Biology, Economics) from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (’91), is proud to introduce the 2022-2023 cohort of University of Illinois Humanities in Action scholars. The seven scholars in the cohort represent 11 majors and minors across the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Fine and Applied Arts.
This cohort of scholars was selected from a competitive pool of applicants possessing a variety of leadership, service, and personal experiences to qualify them for this new community engagement program. Originally planned as a cohort of five, the applicant pool was so strong that the selection committee chose seven students to participate in the semester-long program.
This fall, the inaugural cohort of Humanities in Action Scholars will collaborate with a community partner to address a vital area of need in the Champaign-Urbana community. Through participation in We CU, students will attend workshops to strengthen their community partnerships and build connections with like-minded peers. They will also learn more about HRI’s undergraduate and graduate opportunities, and be part of the invested community of humanists at Illinois.
In a recorded message that played during the We CU annual celebration and recognition ceremony, HRI Director Antoinette Burton congratulated and welcomed the new cohort. “As students particularly committed to bringing humanities knowledge and values alive in practice, you are uniquely positioned to remind us of how important a liberal arts education is in this challenging world,” she said.
Meet the scholars
Arielle Capel (she/her), a junior, is a Chancellor’s Scholar majoring in philosophy on the pre-law track. Arielle serves as Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for the OMSA Ambassadors, part of the Office of Minority Student Affairs. Arielle is passionate about combatting racial injustice, specifically in the education system. She pursues this work as a core student leader for the Recruitment, Equity-in-Practice, Accountability, Social-Inclusion, Opportunity Culture, and Networks (REASON) Project, which aims to increase racial equity and advance access to equal educational opportunity at flagship universities in Illinois and Ohio.
Laura Garcia (she/her) is a senior pursuing a major in anthropology and a minor in global studies. As a child of Mexican immigrants, she cares deeply about issues affecting her community both in the U.S. and Mexico, including the femicide crisis in Mexico City. She leads social activities for La Colectiva and I-CAUSE, organizations that serve and advocate for immigrants and undocumented students on campus and in the Champaign-Urbana community. At home in the quad cities, she volunteers with Humility Homes, an organization that assists families impacted by COVID-19.
Tara Leininger (she/her), a senior, is a Chancellor’s Scholar and a James Scholar pursuing majors in classics and history with a minor in anthropology. Tara spends her time exploring her passions and developing new skills through service. She has volunteered in collections management and virtual exhibit design for the Champaign County History Museum. Tara has also assisted with event planning and tea ceremonies at the Japan House.
Paul Rampersaud (he/him) is a junior with a double major in political science and Spanish and a minor in communications. He is president of the Association of Minorities in Political Science. Paul’s interest in immigration issues led him to pursue the legal services internship with the New American Welcome Center at the University YMCA, where he had the opportunity to provide support for a variety of immigration legal matters. He is especially committed to making healthcare more accessible to recent immigrants by addressing the financial and language barriers they can face when seeking care.
Maya Robinson (she/her) is a sophomore majoring in urban studies and planning. Since high school, Maya has been involved organizing and leading events and marches addressing mental health in the Black community, police brutality, and discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. She is also involved with the Student Planning Organization, a professional development organization for urban planning students and From the Ground Up, a student organization that aims to create and nurture sustainable ecosystems on campus and in the surrounding communities.
Bria Thurman (she/her) is a senior majoring in sociology and creative writing. She is interested to see how the concepts and theories she learns in the classroom show up in real-life scenarios. Community is also very important to Bria. She has been active in Eusa Nia since her freshman year. ‘Eusa Nia’ is Swahili for ‘Black Purpose’. That purpose is to instill pride and understanding of the African-American community in Allen Hall and Lincoln Avenue Residence Hall through programs, discussions, and social events. As a Humanities in Action Scholar, Bria looks forward to learning by directly engaging with and supporting the community she serves.
Jessica Vargas (she/her) is a junior majoring in political science. Outside of school and work, she tutors elementary school students. Jessica grew up in the Humboldt Park neighborhood in Chicago and is passionate about criminal justice, especially as it affects her community. She plans to attend law school so that she can change how the legal system disproportionately incarcerates people of color.
Learn more about the Humanities in Action Program