SAGE is a student advisory board and leadership opportunity for graduate students at Illinois that fosters active engagement with Graduate College programs and initiatives. SAGE board members enrich graduate student community, build leadership skills, and strengthen Graduate College services and programs. This board contributes to the graduate student community at Illinois by providing varied perspectives that enhance the academic, professional, and social experience of graduate students at the university. They also provide valuable input for Graduate College programs, resources, and services.
Applying to serve on the 2021-2022 SAGE board.
Applications are now being accepted to serve on the 2021-2022 SAGE board.
Applications are welcome from graduate students enrolled in graduate degree programs including online programs. Applicants should be graduate students in good academic standing who will be registered during 2021-2022.
Members are required to participate in monthly meetings during the fall and spring semesters and have the option to participate in focused project groups that are determined by SAGE members and the Graduate College at the start of each academic year. The estimated time commitment is about 3 hours per month.
To Apply:
To apply, please complete the online form at the link below. The form will ask you to upload two documents. These can be uploaded as doc, docx, or pdf files.
- A recent copy of your CV or resume
- A response to the following prompt in no more than 2 pages: Please articulate why you are interested in engaging with graduate student community and Graduate College staff. What unique perspectives or experiences would you bring to the board?
Deadline to Apply: Tuesday, June 1 at 11:59 pm CT).
Membership for 2020-2021
| Melanie Archipley | Astronomy |
| Opeyemi Arogundade | Bioengineering |
| Sebastian Aviles | Labor and Employment Relations |
| Flavia Batista da Silva | Portuguese and Brazilian Studies |
| Sarah Brown | Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences |
| Dominique Campbell | Communication |
| Brett Coffee | Business/iMBA |
| Angelique Evans | Education Policy and Leadership |
| Victoria Fields | Communication |
| Anna Flood | English/Literary Studies |
| Katie Frye | Microbiology |
| Tina Hermosillo | Theatre |
| Caitlin Kengle | Physics |
| Shelby Keye | Kinesiology and Community Health |
| Matthew Klopfenstein | History |
| Andrea Kunze | Educational Psychology |
| Liqian Ma | Molecular and Integrative Physiology |
| Holly Mallinson | Atmospheric Sciences |
| Ana Mitchell | Nutritional Sciences |
| Vidushi Ojha | Computer Science |
| Rama Paudel | Crop Science |
| Maria Philip | Chemistry |
| Shivani Siddagangaiah | Civil Engineering |
| Anastasia Olga Tzirides | Learning Design and Leadership |
| Abigail Valtierra | Social Work |
| Fikriyah Winata | Geography / GIS |
| Bianca Xu | Food Science and Human Nutrition |
| Charlotte Bauer | Graduate College |
| Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko | Graduate College |
Read more about SAGE members in our GradLIFE blog.
2020-2021 SAGE Project Groups:
Transitioning to Graduate School/GradMAP Working Group
This group is helping ease new students into graduate study at Illinois by providing feedback on current online materials provided by the Graduate College for new students and indentfying gaps and areas for improvment. Group members will help create content that will be shared on our GradMAP webpages and newsletter.
- Melanie Archipley
- Opeyemi Arogundade
- Matthew Klopfenstein
- Liqian Ma
- Shivani Siddagangaiah
- Fikriyah Winata
Career Working Group
The Career Working Group is exploring ways to provide information about the diverse range of careers that are available to graduate students. This could be in the form of panel discussions, alumni interviews, or other modes that can create awareness and offer practical information about unconventional, but rewarding, career paths.
- Brett Coffee
- Katie Frye
- Matthew Klopfenstein
- Rama Paudel
- Maria Philip
- Olnancy Tzirides
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group
The DEI Working Group will come together to discuss a professional development series for graduate students to learn how to foster and support diverse and equitable environments. Members of the working group will help identify and make recommendations for topics, resources, and facilitation strategies for the series.
- Angelique Evans
- Victoria Fields
- Anna Flood
- Andrea Kunze
- Vidushi Ojha
Mentoring Graduate Students through Challenging Times Committee
SAGE members in this group will to join a larger committee that includes faculty and staff. The committee is considering how to promote student-centered mentoring and its importance in fostering student success throughout various aspects and stages of graduate school.
- Victoria Fields
- Tina Hermosillo
- Holly Mallinson
- Ana Mitchell
- Bianca Xu
SAGE Podcast Group
The SAGE podcast group is an opportunity to engage, inform, and connect with other graduate students at the University of Illinois through participating in the production of the Graduate College Podcast. The Podcast will be hosted by members of SAGE and produced by the Graduate College. Participants with work with the Graduate College to identify topics and content for the monthly podcast that tackles the issues and questions on the minds of our graduate students.
- Sebastian Aviles
- Dominique Campbell
- Anna Flood
- Cat Kengle
- Shelby Keye
- Abby Valtierra
Web Redesign Group (ad hoc focus group)
We are working on a web redesign and user feedback is a critical part of the process. SAGE students in this group will provide feedback at critical steps along the way.
- Melanie Archipley
- Flávia Batista
- Sarah Brown
- Katie Frye
- Olnancy Tzirides