2025 - 2026
In a rapidly changing world, scholarships have become more vital than ever in empowering students to achieve their fullest potential. At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, we are proud to witness the transformative impact of higher education through the remarkable accomplishments of our students. Supported by your generosity, these scholarship recipients are unlocking a future full of opportunities to make a meaningful difference in the world. We are thrilled to share their progress with you as they continue to strive for excellence and shape a brighter tomorrow.
A message from the Dean
At Illinois, a student's imagination and goals are boundless—they fuel groundbreaking advancements in health and wellness across the lifespan. Now, more than ever, scholarships play a crucial role in ensuring our students can pursue their ambitions amid shifting landscapes. Your support and belief in our students not only empowers them but also drives pioneering discoveries that will shape our future. We are deeply grateful for your role in building the foundation for the next generation of achievements at Illinois.
-Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell, Dean, College of Applied Health Sciences
2025-2026 Student Recipients
Yu-Hsing Wu, Master of Science, Health Technology, August 2026
Yu-Hsing Wu is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Health Technology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health Science from the University of Texas at Austin. With a strong foundation in human physiology and biomechanics, she is passionate about applying user-centered design to improve injury prevention, healthcare solutions and human performance. Her research experience includes work on fall risk assessment, EMG signal analysis and the development of mobile sensor-based applications for gait evaluation. Yu-Hsing has a strong interest in human factors, usability testing and biomechanics, and she is especially motivated by the opportunity to work on products that enhance safety, performance and user well-being across clinical, occupational and athletic domains.
A message from Yu-Hsing
I am originally from Taiwan and chose to pursue Health Technology because I’m passionate about combining human physiology with engineering to reduce injury risk and improve user-centered design. I chose the University of Illinois because of the interdisciplinary nature of the MSHT program, which allows me to build engineering experience while applying my kinesiology background. A highlight of this year has been working on our capstone project alongside industry professionals—it’s helped me see how academic skills translate to real-world impact. This scholarship has reduced financial pressure and has given me the confidence to pursue a non-traditional path. After graduation, I hope to work as a human factors engineer or biomechanist, designing safer, more effective systems that support health, performance and everyday function.
Nicole Cruz, Master of Science, Health Technology, August 2026
Cruz, originally from the Chicago suburbs, earned a B.S. in Brain and Cognitive Science with a minor in Informatics at the University of Illinois. She investigated the intersections of cognitive neuroscience, psychopathology and data analysis with an interest in advancing her education towards human factors and user experience design.
Currently, Cruz is completing a M.S. in Health Technology to learn more about human factors, user experience design and engineering to advance technology in the healthcare field. Her studies focus on early diagnostics of dementia and persons with mild cognitive impairment. She is passionate about using evidence-based techniques with medical technology to improve diagnostic methods in mental healthcare. Cruz works as a student development intern to recruit, train and empower students of various backgrounds in leadership roles to encourage wellness, inclusivity and collaboration. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, appreciating nature and supporting local coffee shops.
A message from Nicole
I was born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Seeing my immigrant parents’ struggles working in the healthcare field, I chose the M.S. in Health Technology to advance healthcare technology and make it easier for caretakers and physicians to tend to the needs of their patients. I chose Illinois because of the vast community, resources and commitment to diversity–it truly feels like home! So far, my past several weeks have been full of support and encouragement for my passions. My favorite class has been my hardware engineering class since it addresses the feasibility and limitations of developing technology, and I absolutely love hands-on work. The HERIF scholarship means so much to me–I would not have been able to consider the program without this scholarship. On top of easing the financial burden, I feel that it empowers my academic achievements and supports my commitment to giving back to my family and the community. After graduation, I hope to work for a few years in human factors research for healthcare systems, ultimately moving towards consulting so I can expand the emphasis and impact of health technology innovation. Once again, I appreciate and thank those who invested their trust in me as a HERIF scholarship candidate. Thank you!
Thank You
AHS Office of Advancement
110 Huff Hall, 1206 South Fourth St., Champaign, IL 61820