Humanities in Action Scholars Spring 2025
We CU, Humanities Research Institute Announce Spring 2025 Humanities in Action Scholars
We CU and the Humanities Research Institute (HRI) are proud to announce the spring 2025 Humanities in Action scholars. The new cohort includes five students from the colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Fine and Applied Arts.
The Humanities in Action program (HIA) aims to remove some of the financial barriers that prevent undergraduate humanities students from taking advantage of community engagement opportunities.
Selected by a competitive application process, HIA scholars are then matched—through the Community Learning Lab in the School of Social Work—with a community partner to address a vital area of need in the Champaign-Urbana community. The students will also attend workshops to strengthen their community partnerships and build connections with like-minded peers, and will learn more about HRI’s opportunities and the broader community of humanists at Illinois.
Join us in congratulating this talented group of students!
MEET THE SCHOLARS
Tony Crispin (class of 2026) is majoring in urban planning. He serves as secretary of the Bloomington Normal Community Land Trust, volunteers with Bloomington Revivalists, and participates in the student organizations Sustainable Solutions and Illini Speech and Debate. He is dedicated to exploring and creating new paths for communities to empower themselves and direct their own development from the bottom up by creating cooperative, equitable civic structures.
Yudany Lizbeth Diaz (class of 2025) is majoring in history. She is minoring in Spanish and secondary education with endorsements in middle grades and bilingual education. She is a member of SEEDS (Strengthening and Empowering Educators of Diverse Statuses), and a Golden Apple Scholar, College Bounds and Opportunities Scholar, Courageous Equity Leadership Fellow, and Global Peer Ambassador. Yudany works for Residential Life as an inclusion and leadership mentor, planning events about diversity, equity, and inclusion. She also volunteers at Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club in Champaign, and previously served as the vice president for the Society of Minority Students in History.
Pharah Green (class of 2028) is majoring in global studies. She is originally from Chicago, where her upbringing sparked her passion for advocating for equity and community development. She is an active Society of Women in Public Affairs member and serves as an at-large representative for Women of Color.
With experience coordinating youth programs through nonprofits, Pharah has worked to provide inner-city youth with resources ranging from cultural cooking classes to tutoring programs. She also interned with the CEO of Hanahana Beauty, learning about sustainable business practices and leadership. On campus, she has focused on creating pathways for underserved communities through projects like free STEM-focused classes for Champaign-Urbana residents and as a steady researcher. Pharah’s academic and career interests lie at the intersection of human rights, diplomacy, and foreign affairs. In her free time, she enjoys African dance, engaging in community service, and exploring different cuisines.
Fernando Angel Limon (class of 2025) is majoring in industrial psychology with a minor in global society and markets. He is a James Scholar and Chancellor's Scholar through the Campus Honors Program, of which he is an active member. Fernando's extensive research interests include working in vision labs with Dr. Simona Buetti and Dr. Alejandro Lleras studying visual perception, and collaborating with Dr. Simon Restubog in the Labor and Employment Relations program studying workforce inequalities, particularly the challenges women face in male-dominated fields. He also enjoys traveling to nature trails and exploring new places, both nature and cities, which continually renews his sense of curiosity and motivation.
Arshiya Shah (class of 2026) is majoring in political science with minors in business and public relations. As vice president of the Illinois Undergraduate Moot Court, she works with fellow students to build legal arguments and strengthen advocacy skills. She is also co-chair of the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB) for the College of LAS and a research ambassador at the Office of Undergraduate Research. Her internship at the Human Rights Commission from May to July 2023 was pivotal to developing her understanding of The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, under the Indian Constitution. The experience deepened her passion for human rights and strengthened her commitment to advocating for social justice.