Humanities in Action Scholars Matched with Community Partners
We CU and the Humanities Research Institute (HRI) are excited to announce the the 2023–2024 Humanities in Action (HIA) community placements. Through the Community Learning Lab in the School of Social Work, HIA scholars are matched with a community partner to address a vital area of need in the Champaign-Urbana community.
2023–24 HIA Placements
Sophie Campa - HOYCE Youth Center
Class of 2025
Speech and Hearing Sciences with a concentration in Speech-Language Pathology, Minor in Disability Studies
Sophie has been placed with Helping Our Youth Change Everyday (HOYCE) Center, where her work will include developing a handbook for volunteers, assisting in creating standard operating procedures, updating website content and design, and social media planning and writing.
Yousra Mahmoud - Immigrant Services of Champaign-Urbana
Class of 2026
Sociology and English, Minor in Arabic
At Immigrant Services of Champaign-Urbana, Yousra will work with staff to identify a project that fits her skills and interests, and may include helping to publish newsletters, draft policy statements, complete grant applications, and assemble resource databases.
Sydney Turner - Education Justice Project
Class of 2025
Social Psychology and Communication, Minor in Gender and Women's Studies
Sydney will be working with the Education Justice Project (EJP) as it expands its reentry guide from Illinois-specific to national, helping to research and compile a list of reputable organizations —5 to 10 per state—that EJP can refer recently released people to. These may include reentry service organizations, job training/employment organizations, halfway houses, legal aid organizations, or others.
Araceli Urbina - Mahomet Area Youth Club
Class of 2025
Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Child Health and Well-Being, Minor in Latina/Latino Studies
Araceli will work with the Mahomet Area Youth Club to help create and lead an after-school service project for teens. With input from students, she will aid the planning for a project that can be done in the Mahomet or Champaign area and that gives teens a chance to give back to the community.
Jessica Vargas - Strides Shelter
Class of 2024
Political Science
With Strides Shelter, Jessica will assist their outreach team with referral calls and data management, and help with the planning and marketing of quarterly events for outreach. She will also assist with the Strides social media presence and with assigning volunteers to specific tasks that help promote dignity: playing games, initiating meaningful conversation, etc.
Read more about the 2023–24 HIA scholars
About the Humanities in Action Program
Published 8/28/23