Diversity & Social Justice Education

Kellie Rae Blanden, MEd (she/her)

Director

Email: krmarsha@illinois.edu Phone: 217.244.9514

Kellie Blanden is a native of Racine, Wisconsin where she formerly served as a Gang Diversion Counselor and a middle school Special Education teacher prior to relocating to the CU community in 2006. Since relocating to Urbana, Kellie has remained an active member of both the Champaign and Urbana communities. Kellie worked for USD #116 as the Minority Enrichment Coordinator for several years before moving on to the University of Illinois where she worked for Illinois Public Media (WILL-TV.Radio). Kellie has facilitated a college course at the U of I and has been committed to making CU more inclusive by leading and facilitating various diversity, equity, and inclusion workshops on campus and in the greater communities. Kellie developed the WILL Social Justice Learning initiative, a place where adults, young children, and adolescents can educate themselves on various identity groups and their path to equity.

Prior to joining DSJE's professional staff, Kellie has been a crucial part of DSJE’s mission and vision through serving as a workshop facilitator in various programming offered through our office over the last 12 years and being a contributor to our Racial Justice Allies & Advocates training since its inception in 2012.

Michelle Naese, BS (she/her)

Assistant Director of Allyship & Solidarity

Specialty Areas: antiracism, racial justice, psychology

Email: naese2@illinois.edu Phone: 217.333.1918

Michelle is a multi-racial first-generation college graduate and native of Chicago, IL.  She came to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in August 2011, where she later received her bachelor's degree in Psychology. She was a peer educator throughout her undergraduate years and participated in I-Connect, LENS, Intergroup Dialogue courses, and the Social Justice Educator Paraprofessional Program.  After graduation, Michelle served as a lab manager and project coordinator on several research projects in the Department of Psychology.  Throughout that time, she was able to assist in leading research focused on racial and cultural identity development, emotional regulation and well-being, and trauma-informed intervention.  Most recently, Michelle worked with Diversity & Social Justice Education on a number of programs and initiatives within the office, gaining valuable experience in coordinating peer education programs on campus. 

She loves cats, board games, and all things true crime.  Michelle is active in our community and volunteers as a Jail Librarian for the Books 2 Prisoners program, an Election Judge, and a suicide prevention Field Advocate.

Mackenzie Schabowski (she/her)

Program Assistant to I-Connect

MA Student in Human Resources & Industrial Relations

Email: iconnect@illinois.edu

Mackenzie Schabowski is a central Illinois native holding a BA in Gender in Women’s Studies from the University of Illinois. During her time as an undergrad, she was a peer educator with the FYCARE program, facilitating interactive workshops for first-year students on pertinent topics such as sexual assault and dating violence. She was also a member of Inner Voices Social Issues Theatre group, which produced some of her fondest experiences at UIUC. Alongside her fellow cast members, she utilized radical performance art to stimulate meaningful civic dialogue in the local community. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Human Resources and Industrial Relations, Mackenzie’s goal is to build a career in Diversity Equity and Inclusion. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, crossword puzzles, gaming, and weightlifting.

Natalie Hulseberg (she/her)

Advanced Social Justice Leadership Intern

Specialty Areas: I-Journey Workshops, Reproductive Justice

Natalie is a sophomore double majoring in political science and economics. She is interested in pursuing a career in law with a focus on constitutional law and disability rights. As well as being a DJSE intern, she is a writer for the Undergraduate Law Review, a Project Associate at the National Center for Principled Leadership and Research Ethics, and a member of the University of Illinois Philharmonia Orchestra. In her free time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, playing minesweeper, practicing her cello, and spending time outdoors.

Taylor Nicholoff (she/her)

Social Justice Leadership Intern

Specialty Areas: I-Journey Workshops

Taylor is a sophomore majoring in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Disability Studies. Once she graduates, she plans on working as a public school educator while pursuing a Masters in Special Education. In prior years, she has fundraised for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, led efforts to educate high school students on their civil rights, and ran several successful donation drives. You'll most likely see Taylor around campus playing Pokemon Go, listening to The Indigo Sisters, or feeding the squirrels.

Tesh Saravanan (he/him)

Advanced Social Justice Leadership Intern

Specialty Areas: I-Journey Workshops

Chittesh is a freshman pursuing bachelor's degrees in political science and philosophy, interested in identity politics and public policy. He is hoping to use his experiences as a student of color to find ways to celebrate intersectionality not only on campus, but as he enters the legal field as well. Chittesh is passionate about getting disadvantaged voters involved in politics, fighting mental health stigmas for minorities, and immigration reform. In his free time, he listens to Lana Del Rey, rewatches his favorite Julia Roberts movies, and reads any book a friend (or stranger) recommends.