Our Mission
Diversity & Social Justice Education (DSJE) offers curricular and co-curricular opportunities that:
- Expand students’ capacity to effectively engage in dialogue and perspective taking.
- Create transformative learning spaces that encourage critical self-reflection and intersectional solidarity, advocacy, and action.
- Develop a community of students committed to fairness, justice, and collective democratic engagement.
- Empower our students with the knowledge and skills to become social justice leaders and positive community change agents.
Our staff are passionate about supporting your success at the University of Illinois
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.
Sang S. Lee, PhD (she/her)
Associate Director of Social Justice Leadership
Specialty Areas: critical pedagogy, racial formation, immigration, racial microaggressions, community organizing
Email: sanglee7@illinois.edu Phone: 217.300.1055
Dr. Sang Lee earned three degrees from the University of Illinois, including her Doctorate in Regional Planning with a graduate minor in Asian American Studies. Her research interests include immigration, civic participation, and racial and ethnic diversity in US cities. Sang is a 1.5 generation Korean American, and her family moved to Champaign in the early 1980s. Her passions as an undergraduate student-activist included the anti-chief movement, organizing Take Back the Night, and advocating for resources for Asian American students. She worked as a union and community organizer in Chicago, Champaign, and Madison, WI, before pursuing her graduate studies. She brings to DSJE a passion for community-building and years of experience as an educator and researcher on racial formation, immigration, and racial microaggressions.
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.
Michelle is a current graduate student in the College of Education at the University of Illinois, working towards a Master's of Education in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with concentrations in Diversity & Equity and Higher Education.
Chris McConkey, MSW (she/her)
Office Support Specialist
Specialty Areas: interfaith dialogue, social work, budgeting & finance
Email: cam18@illinois.edu Phone 217.300.9786
Chris holds a Bachelor and Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois. She has worked for over 20 years in the community mental health field. She has provided office support for Diversity & Social Justice Education since 2018 and is excited to be a part of the Illinois family once again. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, her dog, Bella Mae, TV/movies/theater, all things related to agriculture, and working outdoors in her pollinator garden (Save the Bees and the Monarch Butterflies!)
Erica Nack, MS (she/her)
Program Assistant to I-Connect
Email: iconnect@illinois.edu
Erica Nack is a social psychology PhD candidate here at the University of Illinois. She has both a BS and MS in psychology from the University of Indianapolis. Her research interest is in reducing prejudice and fostering inclusion, which has culminated in six peer-reviewed publications and numerous professional talks around the country. Outside of her research, Erica has held positions as a peer writing tutor, teaching assistant for various psychology courses (e.g., Social Psychology, Psychology of Prejudice & Discrimination), and a graduate intern in the LAS Inclusive Excellence Office. Throughout all professional positions, Erica has gained experience in and appreciation for student success initiatives. In her free time, Erica enjoys reading, enjoying nature, and hanging out with her husband, Corey.
Our team of social justice leadership interns are trained peer educators who offer workshops, trainings, programs, and more to foster an inclusive campus community at Illinois.
Natalie Hulseberg (she/her)
Social Justice Leadership Intern
Specialty Areas: I-Journey Workshops, Disability Justice, Racial Justice
Natalie is a senior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Disability Studies and Legal Studies. She is interested in pursuing a career in law with a focus on constitutional law and Disability Justice. As well as being a DJSE intern, she is the President of Illini Pride and a Residential Advisor. In her free time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, going to all Illini Athletics events, and reading.
Railey Montgomery (she/her)
Social Justice Leadership Intern
Specialty Areas: I-Journey Workshops, Racial Justice
Railey is a senior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Legal Studies. She is interested in pursuing a career in law and social justice advocacy. As well as a DSJE intern, she is the community justice project director for Volunteer Illini Projects, marketing director for Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity, a member of the Pre Law-Honors Society and the Recreational Volleyball Club. In her free time, she enjoys attending concerts, swimming, and singing. Railey is excited to work with the other DSJE interns to make UIUC a more inclusive community.
Taylor Nicholoff (she/her)
Social Justice Leadership Intern
Specialty Areas: I-Journey Workshops, Social Media and Outreach
Taylor is a junior 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.
Anika Murthy (she/her)
Social Justice Leadership Intern
Specialty Areas: I-Journey Workshops
Bio coming soon!
Reyna Morton (she/her)
Social Justice Leadership Intern
Specialty Areas: I-Journey Workshops
Reyna is a junior majoring in Earth, Society, and Environmental Sustainability with a minor in Political Science, and plans to pursue a career in environmental law and policy. She has two cats named Raven and Ren whom she loves. She also loves thrifting, music, and jewelry. Reyna is very passionate about social justice and equity, and is am excited to work with the other DSJE interns to continue to make UIUC a safe and inclusive space for everyone.
Tesh Saravanan (he/him)
Social Justice Leadership Intern
Specialty Areas: I-Journey Workshops, Outreach and Workshop Development
Chittesh is a junior 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.
Kennedi Thomas (she/her)
Social Justice Leadership Intern
Specialty Areas: I-Journey Workshops
Kennedi Thomas is a sophomore majoring in Political Science with minors in Business and Legal Studies. She plans to pursue a career in law or public policy. As well as a DSJE intern, she is an orientation leader, the current Vice-President of Women of Color, the Treasurer of Association of Minorities in Political Science, the External Volunteer Director for Health of the Homeless, and a writer for the Undergraduate Law Review. She enjoys going to the gym, listening to music, and playing tennis and volleyball in her free time. Kennedi is passionate about cultivating an inclusive and positive community at UIUC and she is excited to work with the other DSJE interns to accomplish this.
Yichen Wang (she/her)
Social Justice Leadership Intern
Specialty Areas: I-Journey Workshops
Bio coming soon!