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School of Earth, Society & Environment Department of Geography & Geographic Information Science

Kiara Balleza, Class of 2023

I felt a connection with the Geography department during my first semester as a transfer student at UIUC. One of the classes I enjoyed was GEOG 224: Environmental Data Science. As someone who had no experience with data, coding, or using different kinds of software, I really enjoyed how technical and versatile it is. This class inspired me to pursue GGIS because it offers ways to use these skills and help people with these particular assets.

I always wanted to have a career where I could help others and be on my feet all the time, and I would like to travel and use GIS for humanitarian efforts coinciding with global health. I would like to hopefully become a professor and create my own non-profit immersing other young adults to promote better health initiatives within our healthcare system.

School of Earth, Society & Environment Department of Geography & Geographic Information Science

Natural History Building, Second Floor

1301 W. Green St., MC-150

Urbana, IL 61801

(217) 333-1880

Email: geography@illinois.edu

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