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: 2024
Hometown: Saint Joseph, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Mallory Ames is a small-town girl living the big college life. She is passionate about the college of ACES program, professors, and students. Most of her time is spent playing with her miniature dachshund puppy, planning Sigma Alpha events, or supporting her younger brother at baseball and basketball games.
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Hennepin, IL
Concentration: Finance in Agribusiness
Ambassador Bio: Molly Boyd is a junior studying Agricultural and Consumer Economics with a concentration in finance in agribusiness. In addition to being an ACE Ambassador, she is a member of 4-H House Cooperative Sorority, Illinois Collegiate 4-H, and Illinois Rowing. Upon graduation, she plans on working as an agricultural loan officer.
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Prophetstown, IL
Concentration: Consumer Economics and Finance
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 a field in sales.
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Reynolds, IL
Concentration: Financial Planning
Ambassador Bio: Barbara Close is a junior studying Agricultural and Consumer Economics with a concentration in Financial Planning and is very passionate about her major. She really enjoys attending the University of Illinois College of ACES and being a member of 4-H House Cooperative Sorority as well as Collegiate Farm Bureau.
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Milford, IL
Concentration: Public Policy and Law
Ambassador Bio: Bailee Fanning is a junior in ACE Public Policy and Law. She hopes to explore a career in advocating for agriculture related policy for grain farmers.
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Cleveland, 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: 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, Student Advancement Committee, Campus Honors Program, as well as a couple other organizations. Go Illini.
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown: Peoria, IL
Concentration: Consumer Economics and Finance
Ambassador Bio: Brend is a senior studying Consumer Economics and Finance. He enjoys hanging out with friends, fixing motorcycles, and taking his golden retriever, Bella, for walks.
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Nokomis, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & 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: Mason, IL
Concentration: Public Policy and Law
Ambassador Bio: Because of her roots on a hog and grain farm in Southern Illinois, Emma Kuhns is passionate about all things production agriculture and law. In addition to being an ACE Ambassador, Emma is the Recruitment Chair for the College of ACES Student Advancement Committee, the Member Services & Programming Coordinator for the University of Illinois Collegiate Farm Bureau and the Scholarship Chair for Sigma Alpha Professional Agriculture Sorority. She looks forward to meeting all perspective students this year!
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Carlinville, IL
Concentration: Public Policy and Law
Ambassador Bio: Reagan Kulenkamp is a junior in ACE: Public Policy and Law. In addition to serving as an ACE Ambassador, he is the president of Nabor House Fraternity, Agriculture Future of America Ambassador, and an officer on the College of ACES Student Advancement Committee and Collegiate Farm Bureau. In his free time he enjoys attending Illini sporting events and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Macedonia, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Kate Miller is a sophomore majoring in ACE with a concentration in Agribusiness Markets and Management. 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: 2023
Hometown: Hanover Park, IL
Concentration: Financial Planning
Ambassador Bio: Jocelyn Nguyen is a senior with a concentration in Financial Planning. Outside of class, she is an active member of the Financial Planning Club, Asian American Association, Minority Business Student Association, and the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, and you will oftentimes find her at the gym or with friends in her free time. She can't wait to spread her love for the ACE family to prospective and incoming students!
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown: Algonquin, IL
Concentration: Financial Planning
Ambassador Bio: Gisselle Pena is currently a junior studying Financial Planning and is pursuing a minor in Business. She is a member of a multicultural sorority, a volunteer with the Money Mentor’s Program, and currently works for the University of Illinois Foundation.
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: 2024
Hometown: Bloomington, IL
Concentration: Agribusiness Markets & Management
Ambassador Bio: Ellie Strubhar is a junior at the University of Illinois majoring in ACE with a concentration in Agribusiness Markets and Management. On campus she is involved in Greek life and is the Vice President of Finance for her sorority.
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Sublette, IL
Concentration: Finance in Agribusiness
Ambassador Bio: Margaret Vaessen is from a small town in northern Illinois. She is passionate about advocating for agriculture, small businesses, and rural America. In her free time, she loves spoiling her niece and nephews, being active outdoors, and cooking.