Our on-campus students have formed a Student Recruitment Board and are happy to answer questions about their experience for you.
Hello, my name is Zahabia Akberali! I am originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. I have built a strong foundation in Human Resources through hands-on experience across multiple HR functions. Over the past few years, I’ve worked in roles spanning talent acquisition and people & culture, which has allowed me to gain exposure to employee relations, compliance, recruiting, onboarding, and business strategy.
LER has pushed me to grow personally by building confidence in my leadership abilities and connecting me with a collaborative network of passionate HR professionals. I can confidently say that choosing this program was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my career development. The curriculum, supportive faculty, and collaborative LER community have helped me grow both personally and professionally. I’ve been continually inspired by my peers and the mentorship opportunities here. I’d love to share my experience with anyone curious about HR or considering LER; feel free to reach out anytime at zahabia2@illinois.edu. I’d love to connect!
Hello! My name is Indigo Anstee, and I am from Chicago, IL. I graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in May 2025 with a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience Psychology and a minor in Business. Although I loved studying behavioral neuroscience, I realized that I wanted to apply my understanding of motivation and behavior in a way that allows for a more direct, people-focused impact. I realized HR was the career I wanted after gaining experience in recruiting, training, mentoring, and leadership at my part-time job during my undergrad. I sought to develop the academic foundation and professional skills to build a successful career in HR and was introduced to LER by friends, students, and faculty. I was nervous about entering the program at first because I did not have much formal HR education, but everyone was very welcoming and supportive. I believe that joining this program was one of the best decisions I ever made. LER has not only taught me the fundamentals of HR but also provided incredible networking and guest speaker opportunities. If you are interested in LER or building a career in HR, please reach out! My email is ianste2@illinois.edu.
Hello! My name is Jacob Barker. I graduated from the University of Illinois in 2025 with a degree in Intradisciplinary Psychology and made the decision to begin studying at LER in the following fall semester. I am passionate about helping others and finding solutions that help individuals become their best. LER has allowed me to foster skills that will make my goals a reality. In addition to our amazing curriculum, I am so grateful for all the connections I have made. The faculty are incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and truly invest in your success, while the peer network helps push me to be better every day. I love this program and can honestly say that it feels like home. If you ever have any questions, please reach out! My email is jacobwb@illinois.edu.
Hi! My name is Oscar A. Benavides, and I graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising. As a Latino, first-generation student born and raised in Chicago, I am proud to bring a unique and creative perspective to this program. Coming from a background rooted in branding and advertising, my initial exposure to business focused on storytelling, communication, and building connections. Through my experiences, I’ve come to realize that being a people person—someone who enjoys building relationships, making others feel comfortable, and bringing energy into conversations—has equipped me with skills essential to Human Resources. This journey has deepened my passion for supporting others, fostering inclusive environments, and helping people feel valued in their professional paths. If you’re interested in HR, come from a nontraditional background, or simply want to connect, I’d be happy to chat and share my experiences. Feel free to reach out at obena2@illinois.edu.
Hello! My name is Ethan Gulley, and I graduated from the University of Illinois in 2025 with a Degree in Recreation, Sports, and Tourism and a minor in Business. As it was time to decide on my post-graduate plans, I knew I was interested in pursuing a master’s degree. After being encouraged by faculty and peers to explore the School of Labor & Employment Relations, I decided to make the transition into Human Resources and Industrial Relations, and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Since joining the program, I’ve grown personally, professionally, and academically in ways I never anticipated. The alumni network, support staff, and professors are incredibly supportive and genuinely invested in student success.
This program has positioned me for future success and is actively developing my skills as a Human Resources professional. If you have any questions about LER or the University of Illinois experience, feel free to reach out to egulley2@illinois.edu.
Hi there! My name is Erin Hoffman, and I graduated in May 2021 from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana with a dual degree in Communication Studies and Spanish. I’m originally from White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and attending the University of Illinois has been a family tradition for decades. Over the past four and a half years, I’ve built a strong foundation in Human Resources through my work at the University of Chicago, where I’ve gained experience in recruitment, employee experience, and benefits administration. As I continued to grow in my role, I decided to further develop my HR skill set by enrolling in the Master’s in Human Resources and Industrial Relations program. The program has allowed me to deepen my understanding of HR while also gaining practical, real-world insight into the field. The coursework has strengthened my ability to think more strategically about people operations and organizational challenges. Beyond the technical skills, LER has also helped me grow as a leader and connect with a community of thoughtful, motivated peers. Please feel free to reach out to me at erinh3@illinois.edu if you’d like to connect or have any questions.
Hello! My name is Phebe Hung. I’m originally from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and I received my bachelor’s in Business Administration from National Sun Yat-Sen University. Before starting LER, I knew I wanted a career in HR but I wasn’t sure where to begin. Coming to LER was the best decision I’ve made. The classes here have been an incredible introduction to various areas of HR, the strong industry connections have gone beyond just job searching to include valuable guest speakers who share real-world trends, and the amazing peers, dedicated staff, and faculty have made this an incredibly supportive community. I would love to share more about my time here and answer any questions you might have 😊. Please feel free to reach out anytime at ch116@illinois.edu.
Hello everyone! My name is Reese Hogan, and I am so thrilled to be an ambassador for this amazing program! I was born and raised in the southern Outer Banks of North Carolina, where my father served in the military for 20 years. In my junior year of high school, my family decided to move back to our farm in Illinois to be closer to our family members! I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and graduated with a B.S. degree in Communication and a minor in Legal Studies in May 2025. Prior to applying to this program, I only heard positive remarks about the School of Labor and Employment Relations from several people in multiple different areas of my life. I am so thankful that I was accepted into this program and have the opportunity to expand my knowledge on human resources with my wonderful classmates, intelligent professors, and supportive staff members. I have nothing but the best to say about this program, and I am happy to share my experiences with those who are seeking it 🙂 Please feel free to reach out to me anytime at reesech2@illinois.edu.
Hi! My name is Zoe Huxtable, and I graduated from Illinois State University in 2025 with my Bachelor’s in Political Science and a minor in Sociology. I chose LER because I’ve always had a passion for working with people and helping them become the best version of themselves. My academic background helped me explore different paths and ultimately led me to human resources. After my advisor recommended LER and I had the chance to see the school for myself, my decision to attend was absolutely solidified. LER truly has one of the most supportive and connected communities I’ve ever experienced. From alumni to faculty to fellow students, the network here is unmatched, and everyone genuinely wants to help you succeed. This program is truly like no other. Throughout my time here, I’ve built meaningful professional relationships as well as lifelong friendships, and choosing LER was one of the best decisions I could have made for myself. As a student ambassador, I’d be more than happy to be part of your network or help you start building your own! Feel free to reach out anytime at zoeah2@illinois.edu!
Hello! My name is Malia, and I grew up in Plainfield, IL. I had also completed my undergrad at UIUC with a Bachelor’s in I/O Psychology and a minor in Business. I started out on the General Psychology route, hoping to pursue Neuroscience. But, upon discovering the LER program, I quickly shifted my perspective to be more HR oriented and further declaring my concentration in I/O Psych. I decided to choose LER after taking the undergraduate course LER 199 with Brian Neighbors, where I was introduced to the LER community and culture. If you have any questions or concerns about the program, my email is maliaai2@illinois.edu! Looking forward to hearing from you 🙂
Hello! My name is Alice Kim, and I graduated with a Hospitality Business degree from Michigan State University. Before I came to LER, I was working as a Housekeeping Supervisor at Hyatt Regency Chicago. After working with my precious employees, who taught me what life is, I decided to get into HR to learn a deeper level of supporting employees in the workplace. So far, I love and don’t regret joining the LER program! I have met so many great friends with whom I can share my passion, and I have received endless support from professors who are always willing to help their students. Since I have received so much support from this program, I would love to answer any questions you have! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me! My email is: heeusnk2@illinois.edu
Hi, I’m Reese McDonald! I’m originally from Ladd, a small town in Illinois. I graduated from the University of Illinois in 2025 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. During the Fall semester of 2023, I realized I was eligible to graduate a year early, but I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do next. My advisor recommended looking into LER, and after attending an information session, I knew I wanted to pursue a master’s in human resources. Since joining LER, I’ve found an incredibly supportive and welcoming community. I feel challenged academically and engaged with interesting, current topics, and I’m excited to continue growing in this field. I would love to connect, please reach out anytime! My email is reesemm2@illinois.edu.
Hi! I’m Joni Norris, and I graduated from the University of Illinois in 2025 with a Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology and minors in Business and Global Labor Studies. Before starting LER, I knew I was interested in HR, but I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. Coming to LER was the best decision for me. LER has allowed me to develop invaluable skills, pushed me to become a better leader, and connected me to an amazing alumni network. I’m so grateful for the LER program and excited for my future in HR! I’m happy to further discuss the program, my experience, and answer any questions you may have. Feel free to reach out to me at jnorr3@illinois.edu.
Hello! My name is Tia Radanavong and I’m a townie, originally from Urbana, IL. I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May 2025 with a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and a minor in Business, after completing my first two years at Parkland College. During my undergraduate experiences, I discovered my passion for human resources through communication, collaboration, and organizational dynamics. My background in advertising helped me build strong interpersonal and analytical skills, which showed through the leadership roles I acquired in my RSOs. Additionally, I’ve gained hands-on experience through various internships and my current role at the University of Illinois Foundation. LER stood out to me through its strong sense of community, practical focus, and commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers. I’m so grateful to be part of the program and learning alongside a driven and supportive cohort. I’m always happy to chat about my experiences or answer questions about life in LER so far! My email is malydar2@illinois.edu.
Hi everyone, my name is Tamia Roberts! I am originally from Chicago, Illinois, and have lived in Champaign for over 10 years. I earned my undergraduate degree in Communications at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign! I chose HR because I gained a passion for talent development while working in my professional career in management. I chose LER specifically because I heard phenomenal stories about the outstanding professors, the strong impact of the Alumni community, and how AMAZING the program is! So far, it has checked all of those boxes and more! This program has prepared me to develop professionally and personally by building connections with my peers, interviewing for internships, and gaining a comprehensive understanding of human resources principles. I love the MHRIR program and would love to talk more about it! If you have any questions or want to chat about anything, please feel free to email me at tamiar2@illinois.edu!
Hi there, I am Shravana Srikrithi. My undergrad was in Psychology from M.O.P Vaishnav College from Women in India. While studying psychology, I discovered a strong interest in the intersection of people, business, and organizational systems, which led me to pursue my graduate studies in Human Resources Management at Sheridan College, Canada. As I continued exploring my academic and professional interests, I knew that LER was the right place for me to further deepen my knowledge in Human Resources and Industrial Relations. The support from my peers, the insightful conversations with faculty and staff, and the well-structured, engaging courses have all confirmed that LER is truly where I belong. Having traveled extensively and lived in multiple countries, finding a sense of belonging has often been a challenge. At LER, however, you’ll quickly discover a culture that is welcoming, collaborative, and genuinely supportive. It’s a place where you will meet people who become lifelong well-wishers, a place that balances learning with meaningful connections and exciting opportunities. I often say that LER chose me, and I am incredibly grateful to be part of such an enriching program. I’m always happy to connect and answer any questions; feel free to reach out to me at ss313@illinois.edu.
Hi, I’m Maseeha Tabassum! I have always loved languages and exploring how they shape people. I pursued this interest with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, where I gained critical insight into communication and context. This naturally evolved into curiosity about the language of organizations as I enrolled in an MBA program and worked full-time in business process outsourcing and talent management. Having progressed through both my degrees online, I chose to return to the classroom with UIUC’s MHRIR program to deepen my understanding of labor and industrial relations. LER is a wonderful, welcoming community that consistently meets the expectations of a graduate student – be it academic rigor, alumni network, recruitment opportunities, or professional development – all bolstered by the incredibly warm and supportive staff, faculty, peers, and seniors. Still, it can be nerve-wracking to join a fold of professionalism and initiate that first connection or ask a question. I understand this especially as an international student from India, raised in the UAE, coming to the US for the first time. I would love to help in any manner I can as you navigate this process. Find me on LinkedIn or reach out to me at maseeha2@illinois.edu!
Hello everyone, my name is Jameelah Williams. I’m from Calumet City, IL, and I earned my Bachelor’s in IO Psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2025. Before starting at LER, I wasn’t sure exactly what career I wanted to pursue, but I knew I cared about organizational development, diversity, and inclusion. My coworkers and classmates, familiar with the program, encouraged me to explore LER. Once I learned about it, I realized I had finally found my passion and a clear career path. I’ve also found a supportive, welcoming community in LER. Without this program, I would still be uncertain about my next steps. I would love to talk more if you have any questions about the program! Feel free to reach out to me at jaw14@illinois.edu anytime if you have questions about LER or HR in general! Thanks!
