Meet the Turner Fellows

Fred H. Turner Fellows serve in pre-professional internships in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. These internship positions provide undergraduates the opportunity during their senior year to undertake professional, creative, and challenging assignments that provide a greater understanding of Student Affairs. In the past, Turner Fellows have worked on issues related to campus safety, student fees, establishment of living and learning communities, the first-year experience, student leadership development, and strategic planning. They have coordinated focus sessions for the Chancellor and Provost to discuss pertinent student issues, designed an interactive online poll for the New Student Convocation web site, and made presentations to the Chancellor’s Cabinet, Students Affairs staff, and students.
    For 25 years, 75 Turner Fellows have served the University of Illinois in this premiere opportunity. In keeping with the strong tradition of this position, the Turner Fellows are supported by a private endowment created to honor the late Fred H. Turner, Dean of Students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1922-1967. A plaque identifying past and current Turner Fellows is located in the lobby of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
    Turner Fellows are chosen through a highly selective process during the spring semester. Qualifications include strong leadership and interpersonal skills; demonstrated writing and quantitative skills; high academic achievement; and junior standing at the time of application. Application materials for the 2007-08 academic year will be available on this web page at the beginning of the 2007 Spring Semester.

Nicole Alexander

Email: nalexand@uiuc.edu
Year in school: Senior
Major:Kinesiology/Pre-Medicine, minor in chemistry 
Hometown: Clarendon Hills, IL
Projects: New Student Convocation, Lunch Bunch Directory, Student Affairs Intern Workshop Facilitator
Year’s Goal:To become an effective administrator, learn more about Student Affairs and learn how to effectively motivate others while implementing new programs
University Activities: Student Alumni Ambassadors (VP Homecoming), Campus Honors Program, Hughes Undergraduate Research Fellowship.
Career Objectives/future plans: I hope to attend medical school, followed by becoming a doctor who will utilize exercise to increase patients’ quality of life and researching the effect of exercise on different disease states.
Quote/Saying you live by: Develop an interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music—the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.” – Henry Miller
Favorite food: Qdoba nachos, chocolate and espresso
Interests: running, music, writing, programming, hiking, adventures

Email: verest@uiuc.edu
Year in school: Senior
Major: Speech Communication 
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Projects: Voter Registration, Culture of Wellness Committee, Student Leadership Awards
Year’s Goal: Gain a greater understanding of student affairs and the public education system and to use my knowledge and connections on campus to successfully execute projects for the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
University Activities:Panhellenic Council, League of Women Voters of Champaign County Student Unit, Pi Beta Phi sorority, Multicultural Youth Conference, Student Alumni Ambassadors, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-law Honors Fraternity, Illinois Leadership Center Student Advisory Committee
Quote/Saying you live by: "An ocean of sadness often borders the shores of paradise, keep swimming and you'll make it"
Favorite food: Most everything my mom makes, ice cream, oranges, and green chai tea from Aroma  
Interests: my family and friends, working out, playing the piano, politics, and washing my car