About the Council
The Advisory Council serves as an important bridge between the Pre-Law Advising Services Office (PLAS) and the pre-law student and alumni communities at Illinois. The Advisory Council is made up of a diverse group of pre-law students and alumni representing different colleges, majors, and stages of the pre-law journey.
The Council serves an important role in helping support the work of the Pre-Law Advising Services Office to enhance the resources and opportunities for all Illinois pre-law students and alumni by serving as ambassadors for the PLAS office, supporting the work of PLAS by providing feedback on the needs and interests of the Illinois pre-law community, and assisting with PLAS activities and initiatives. Members of the Advisory Council also receive invitations to unique professional development and networking opportunities each semester.
Who is on the Council
The 2026 – 2027 Advisory Council will be comprised of the following representatives from the undergraduate community:
- Two representatives from the Class of 2030 (freshmen) – selected during the Fall 2026 semester. – Applications now open, apply below!
- Two representatives from the Class of 2029 (sophomores)
- Two representatives from the Class of 2028 (juniors)
- Two representatives from the Class of 2027 (seniors)
- Up to Two Alumni representatives (University of Illinois undergraduate graduates)
- Ten to Twelve At-large members (any class year)
In addition, the Council is chaired by the PLAS Graduate Assistant.
Up to two senior Advisory Council applicants will be selected to serve as Vice-Chair(s) of the Council each year.
Expectations for Advisory Council Members
Advisory Council members serve a term of one academic year (fall and spring semesters) and may apply to serve multiple terms as a student and/or alum. Selected individuals are expected to complete the following requirements in their role as Advisory Council members.
- Attend the Fall Advisory Council Meeting (September)
- Attend the Spring Pre-Law Leadership Summit (January/February)
- Complete required participation activities during the Fall and Spring semesters (approx. 2-3 hrs per semester). Council members may choose from a variety of opportunities throughout the semester. General types of participation activities may include: volunteering to assist with events; participating in student engagement activities; contributing to projects or initiatives; and serving on focus groups.
In addition, Advisory Council members will have unique opportunities for networking, professional development, and more!
How to Apply
Selection for the Council is by application. Representative positions are open to UIUC undergraduates and UIUC undergraduate alumni each year. Selections for upper-level and alumni positions occur during the preceding spring semester for each term; freshman representative positions are selected in early fall.
2026-2027 Advisory Council Applications for the Class of 2027, 2028, 2029, At-Large and Alumni Reps are now closed.
Class of 2030 Representative applications are now open. Deadline to apply is September 3, 2026, at 11:59 pm.
Meet the 2026-2027 Advisory Council
Benjamin Aranda
Class of 2028 Representative
Sociology
Seun Bakare
At-Large Representative
Psychology & Political Science,
Class of 2027
Lauryn Barnett
At-Large Representative
Political Science,
Class of 2029
Emma Costello-Wollwage
At-Large Representative
Political Science & English,
Class of 2028
Jessica Demirlika
At-Large Representative
Communication & Political Science,
Class of 2027
Erika Efigenio
Vice-Chair
Political Science and Psychology,
Class of 2027
Taryn Flood
At-Large Representative
Political Science & Sociology,
Class of 2027
Sam Holmes
At-Large Representative
History & Political Science,
Class of 2028
Dany Kang
At-Large Representative
Political Science & Psychology,
Class of 2028
Charlotte King
Class of 2027 Representative
Political Science
Meena Joudeh
At-Large Representative
Political Science, Class of 2028
Ulrich Lazatin
At-Large Representative
Political Science & Economics,
Class of 2028
Lev Linderman
Class of 2029 Representative
Biology
Hajera Quadri
At-Large Representative
Political Science, Class of 2027
Avery Scace
At-Large Representative
Political Science, Class of 2027
Zubeida Seedat
At-Large Representative
Political Science & Psychology,
Class of 2029
Alivia So
At-Large Representative
Psychology & Economics, Class of 2027
Mia Starke
At-Large Representative
Molecular & Cellular Biology,
Class of 2027
August Strutzel
Class of 2029 Representative
Music
Anais Tatem
Class of 2028 Representative
Finance
Julia Trevino
Class of 2027 Representative
Information Sciences
Ashley Winters, ’22
Alumni Representative
Northern Illinois University College of Law, Class of 2026
Imaan Zaheer
Vice-Chair
Political Science, Class of 2027
Paige Thing
Chair
University of Illinois College of Law, Class of 2027
