Meet our May 2025 Graduates | University Honors Program | SIU

Kaelin Natland is graduating with a degree in Secondary English Education and a minor in Psychology. She is a former member of the Saluki Shakers Dance Team and has spent the past two years volunteering as an assistant coach for Carterville High School’s Dance Team, where she has combined her passion for both dance and teaching. Kaelin is from Carterville, Illinois, and is proud to have earned her degree at the university she grew up admiring.She is a 2022 Chancellor’s Scholar, Golden Apple Scholar, and a member of the Honors Program at SIUC. She counts these honors as some of her greatest blessings and gives God all
the glory for the opportunities she has received. Through the Golden Apple Scholars program, Kaelin has participated in extensive internships and professional development in education, including experiences at Eastern Illinois University, SIUC, Charleston Middle School, and Marion Junior High School. Her clinical experience includes placements at Anna-Jonesboro High School, Carterville Junior High School, and Herrin High School, where she completed her student teaching. Kaelin’s passion for teaching began at an early age, but it was her 8th grade and high school English teachers who truly inspired her to pursue a career in education. While she loves the content of English, her heart in teaching is for her students. She hopes to create an inviting, uplifting, and engaging classroom environment where all students feel seen and valued. Following graduation, Kaelin will begin her career as an English teacher at a school of need in Southern Illinois, fulfilling her commitment as a Golden Apple Scholar. She hopes to teach junior high English and continue coaching in a local dance program. Beyond her college commitments,  Kaelin is an active leader at Cornerstone Church in Marion, Illinois. She currently serves as a small group leader and is on the leadership panels for both Cornerstone Women and Cornerstone Young Adult. No matter where life takes her, Kaelin’s ultimate mission is to spread the love, life, and freedom found in Jesus—all for His Name and glory.

Bethany Bergschneider is from Franklin, IL and is graduating with a B.S. in physiology along with minors in Chemistry and Spanish. Throughput her time at SIU, Bethany has been active in a variety of extracurricular activities, such as youth science outreach through Alpha Chi Sigma. She also served as the vice president of NMDP, an organization that works to expand the blood stem cell/bone marrow donor registry for patients in need of lifesaving treatment. One of the highlights of her college experience was taking summer classes and practicing Spanish with her host family in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. Additionally, Bethany spent nearly four years in Dr. Bethany Rader’s microbiology laboratory, where she completed a REACH project on the soybean microbiome in fungal disease. After graduation, she will be joining the University of Cincinnati Medical Scientist Training Program to earn her MD and PhD degrees. Her long-term goal is to serve patients as a physician-scientist by integrating clinical practice with scientific research. 

Heidi Brooks from Bowling Green, KY, is graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Forestry with a specialization in Hydrology and a minor in Animal Science. During the past two years, she has been preparing for a Master’s in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville by taking physics, calculus, and entry-level engineering courses in conjunction with her forestry classes. Heidi was involved in various RSO’s and teams during her four years at SIUC. For both her freshman and sophomore years, she was a member of SIU’s Swim and Dive Team, specializing in sprint freestyle. Her main RSO focus has been SIU’s Soil Judging Team since her sophomore year. She began as a member, moved to the treasurer position, and has spent her senior year as the president of the team. It has been an exciting and growth-filled time for the team and for Heidi and she is honored to has served in this position. Along with these activities, Heidi collaborated with Dr. Karen Jones to complete a research survey related to brain worms in Kentucky-raised Boer goats. She also worked with the Forestry Department’s Watershed Laboratory under Drs. Williard and Schoonover during all four years of her college career. These past four years have been the most brain-broadening, self-maturing, and enjoyable time for Heidi and she is very grateful for the opportunities to work with and learn from both her peers and professors!

Taegan Carpenter is graduating with a double major in Anthropology and Languages, Cultures, and International Studies, specializing in East Asia. She also has earned minors in Marketing, Spanish, and Environmental Studies. Throughout her time at Southern Illinois University, Taegan has been deeply grateful for the unwavering support and transformative opportunities provided by the university and the SIU Honors Program. As a proud recipient of the Chancellor’s Scholarship, the Thanu and Nongyao Kulachol Library Scholarship, the Southern Illinois College of Liberal Arts Study Abroad Scholarship, and the Boren Scholarship, she has been able to fully immerse herself in academic and global learning both on and off campus. Thanks to SIU’s commitment to international education, Taegan has studied and conducted fieldwork in Egypt, Taiwan, France, and the Netherlands. She has also been an active member of campus life, participating in the Spanish and Chinese clubs, the weightlifting club, and the SIU Dance Company. The Honors Program, in particular, has played a vital role in shaping her interdisciplinary outlook, encouraging her to explore the full range of her academic passions. This journey has culminated in her acceptance of a position in Washington, DC, working for the federal government after graduation.

Audrey Gulley is graduating  with a major in psychology. She has been accepted into the SIU Simmons Law program and will begin her legal studies in August 2025. Throughout her time at SIU, Audrey has been deeply committed to service, leadership, and academic excellence, with each experience shaping her dedication to advocacy and community impact.  Motivated by a passion for student representation and policy reform, Audrey serves as the Executive Vice President of the Undergraduate Student Government, where she advocates for policies that enhance student life and ensures student voices are heard in university decision-making. She is also dedicated to mentorship and community service, having founded a registered student organization that connects female-identifying students with mentors in their prospective careers through the SIU Women’s Leadership Council, where she also served as a student board member. Additionally, Audrey has worked as a student assistant in the Chancellor’s Office, gaining valuable professional experience in university administration.

At the beginning of her academic career, Audrey was awarded the Provost Scholarship, which played a key role in her ability to continue her education. She was also awarded the Elaine Vitello Scholarship Award which highlights women in professional outlets. Looking ahead, she plans to use her background in psychology and law to contribute to public service, focusing on legal advocacy, mental health initiatives, and criminal justice reform. Audrey has greatly enjoyed her time at SIU and in the Honors Program, and she hopes to carry forward the university’s mission of "Learn. Lead. Serve.

Sarah Krieger is from St. Charles, Missouri, and is graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Zoology with a specialization in Animal Biology and a minor in Environmental Studies. Sarah was involved with Zeta Theta Omega, the Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society, and the Herpetological Society. She worked in Dr. Charlotte Narr's freshwater ecology lab and Dr. Edward Heist's conservation genomics lab. Sarah completed an independent research project on the effect of coastal armoring on loggerhead sea turtle nesting success in the Gulf of Mexico. She also traveled to Costa Rica, Western Australia, and spent a semester abroad in Cannes, France learning French language and culture. Sarah plans to get a Master's degree in marine biology and continue to contribute to marine conservation research.

Margaret Krupp graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies with a specialization in public relations and a minor in marketing. During her time at Southern Illinois University, she was a part of four registered student organizations: Public Relations Student Society of America, American Marketing Association, TEDxSIUC, and Saluki Service Dogs. She worked as an inbound marketing intern over the summer of 2024. She currently works as a social media intern and has held this position since June of 2024.  Margaret is from the Chicago suburbs, and she loves the natural beauty that Southern Illinois has to offer. In her spare time, Margaret likes to hike, hammock, and just spend time outdoors. In the winter, she enjoys snowmobiling.

Mia Sinkiewicz from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina is graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences with a minor in Psychology. She is motivated by the excitement of discovering new fields and gaining experience in science and healthcare, and the challenge of balancing responsibilities as a student-athlete. She considers these challenges as preparation for real-world patient care experience and her goal of becoming a Physician Assistant who can make a real impact on the lives of each of her  patients. She is a student-athlete on the swim team and  also a member of the Pre-Health Professions Association. She has served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee for two years, as an athlete representative and as the Community Service Chair on the Executive Board. She really enjoyed volunteering through timing at meets, especially with the Saluki Swim Club, participating in Gum Drops, and teaching religious education to 5th and 6th graders through St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Carbondale. She is also a member f Dr. Punit Kohli's lab in the Nanoscience Exploration and Development Group. In the lab, she helps prepare samples of nanoliposomes, process imaging, and analyze data to help in the prevention of sudden death syndrome of soybean plants. She has worked at SIH as a student intern in outpatient surgical service clinics.  She syas, "his was a really valuable experience for me, as it helped me work towards earning clinical hours for graduate school applications, as well as allowed me to gain experience working with patients and providers in an outpatient setting in fields that I can see myself working in the future." After graduation, Mia will be working as a Patient Care Technician at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, earning clinical hours before beginning graduate school to become a Physician Assistant.

Gladis Sara Sunny was born in Kerala, India, grew up in Muscat, Oman, studied in Odessa, Ukraine, and now lives in Carbondale, Illinois. What motivates her to move forward each day is her family, the ability to explore new opportunities, and the excitement to pursue the passion God has placed in her heart. At SIUC, she has made sure to keep herself busy through her active involvement with the Saluki Science Ambassadors as the Co-Ordinator of Community Engagement & Outreach, Timmy's Global Health as the Chair of Advocacy, Science Dawgs as the Secretary, and Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Chi Sigma Beta Psi chapter, and Microbiology RSO as a member. She has also expanded her passion for service through her volunteering at the Saluki Food Pantry, Gum Drops, Carbondale Science Center, American Red Cross, various events across campus, and with her local church.  Though she initially did not think she would get into research, she became involved in the Honors Design-Wellness Study on Ring Splints with Dr. Lingguo Bu, Dr. Jyotsna Kapur, Dr. James Lynch, and Dr. Sean Quisenberry. This is an Honors-generated interdisciplinary project that is a collaboration between the departments of Math, Art, and Medicine to design, customize, and 3D print ring splints for patients with hypermobility syndromes such as the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. She has thoroughly enjoyed learning how the different disciplines are intertwined and has developed a broader understanding of the various mechanics involved. The team is the recipient of the 2023 Margaret Messer Honors Research Grant and the 2024 NCHC Portz Interdisciplinary Fellowship.

Gladis was able to join the pilot group of Southern Illinois Healthcare Internship, where she worked as a Clinical Care Aide and receptionist in diverse specialty services including Urgent Care, Cancer Institute, Breast Center, GI, ENT, Endocrinology, Sleep Medicine, and Pulmonology. This has given her a deeper understanding of working in medicine and helped develop valuable clinical skills. She also received the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians-NREMT-B and Basic Life Support certifications.

SIUC has guided Gladis to continue pursuing her passion to become a physician, and she is grateful for the people and the multitude of opportunities she has received here, which have helped her discover new potential. After graduating from SIU in the Spring of 2025 with a BS in Physiology and double minors in Chemistry and Microbiology, Gladis plans on attending Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in the Fall of 2025, traveling more, and continuing to explore the big world out there.

Fun fact, she is currently 32% into collecting all the Nancy Drew Mystery Books.

Shelby Borlin (they/she) of Washington, Illinois, will graduate with a B.A. in English (Creative
Writing) and minors in American Sign Language; Political Science; Women, Gender, and
Sexuality Studies; and Social Justice. At SIU, Shelby contributed to advocacy and
community-building RSOs through roles as an executive board officer of Saluki Rainbow
Network and Young Democratic Socialists of America and founder/president of NMDP
(formerly Be The Match) Chapter at SIUC. Their honors program service included projects with
Crab Orchard, Touch of Nature, and Rainbow Cafe. For a Sociology of Sexuality course, Shelby
surveyed 142 asexual-spectrum individuals, analyzing patterns in attitudes towards sexual
intimacy in relation to participants’ specific asexual-spectrum identities and romantic
orientations—an experience that strengthened their commitment to research as a way to center
and explore variation within marginalized communities.  In Spring 2024, Shelby studied abroad at Massey University in Aotearoa (New Zealand), where engagement with Indigenous and decolonial perspectives on politics, social justice, and environmental issues deepened their understanding of advocacy. These insights will inform their future work as they pursue an M.A. in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Rutgers
University. While still deciding on a precise field of advocacy, their potential focus areas include
prison abolition and trans rights—particularly gender-affirming healthcare access—with the goal
of combining research, storytelling, and direct action to drive systemic change

Madison Watson, from Danville Illinois, will be graduating with a bachelor’s in communication disorders and sciences with a minor in psychology. Her passion for learning and her future career has been a driving force for the pursuit of higher education. She is very enthusiastic about the work of speech language pathologists and the impact the field has on the lives of individuals with communication needs. Madison has been involved in the Honor’s Assembly for the duration of her time at SIU, currently serving as treasurer, as well as a member of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. She is also an active member of the Carbondale Kiwanis Club, and volunteers in her hometown as an archery instructor during breaks. She also frequently attends Gum Drops for Kids packaging food for children of the local schools. Along with her service involvement, she is also a member of SIU’s Aphasia Research with Technology Lab with Dr Juhi Kidwai and is the primary student researcher of a project analyzing the quality of life in individuals with primary progressive aphasia and their caregivers. In this project, she is providing resources and education to the clients and their caregivers as they progress through a semester of therapy given by graduate clinicians and assessing the impact of the therapy and resources on their quality of life. She also worked on a research study investigating the correlation between inner speech and overt speech in individuals with aphasia compared to individuals with typical communication. After graduation, Madison plans to attend graduate school here at SIU to obtain her master’s degree in communication disorders and sciences. Her primary professional interests include, but are not limited to the outpatient rehabilitation setting, assessment and management of swallowing disorders, neurogenic communication disorders, and acquired communication disorders in the geriatric population.

Malia Bierman is a senior in the University Honors Program at SIU earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in neuroscience. Growing up in Marion, IL, Malia always imagined herself becoming a doctor. During her time at SIU, she realized her true passion lies in neuroscience research through working in numerous research labs within the Psychology and Physiology departments. In Dr. Amber Pond’s Skeletal Muscle Atrophy Lab, Malia initiated work in Immunohistochemistry which included growing skeletal muscle cells in cell plates. 

After changing her major to Psychology, Malia began volunteering in Dr. YouJung Choi’s Social Cognitive Development Lab where she learned to conduct a social psychology research study involving children and collected data at the Science Center. She also gained experience analyzing research articles through presentations and discussions. She also worked with Dr. Michael Hylin in the Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Lab, assisting with imaging of rat brain tissue and gaining experience with techniques like cryostat slicing and microscopy. Throughout her senior year, Malia conducted her Senior Honors Thesis research on The Effects of Using ChatGPT vs Traditional Studying Methods on Memory in Higher Education with the guidance of Dr. Matthew Junker and Dr. Reza Habib. 

Malia also dedicated her time to volunteer work, including tutoring in math and clarinet, and serving as a Science Fair Judge for the Illinois Junior Academy of Science Region 8 Fair in 2024 and 2025. A lot of her time was spent working as the Saluki Ambassador Team Leader in SIU’s Undergraduate Admissions office. The Saluki Ambassadors coordinate campus visits and conduct campus tours for prospective students and their families. As Team Leader, she helped lead student workers, conducted interviews, led training and evaluations, and gained valuable leadership experience. ​Malia was nominated for Southern Illinois University's Student Employee of the Year award in both 2024 and 2025 for her work in Undergraduate Admissions.

After graduation, Malia will pursue a master’s degree in applied psychology, with plans to eventually earn her Ph.D. Her goal is to teach at the university level, run her own research lab, and mentor undergraduate students who are passionate about psychology and neuroscience just like herself.