A student from the Department of Spanish & Portuguese is combining her culture with her love for science with the help of the Frances E. Smith Scheidel Scholarship.
Yvette Reyes is a sophomore double majoring in Spanish and integrative biology at Illinois. She’s the recipient of this year’s Scheidel Scholarship, which was established in 2007, thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Scheidel, whose personal history included returning after a significant interruption to complete her Illinois degree.
Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students majoring in one of SLCL's academic units who have overcome significant hurdles to achieve academic success.
“Receiving this scholarship is a reminder that there are people who actively believe in me, regardless of what I choose to do and how I want to do it,” said Reyes.
She said deciding what she wanted to do was a journey in and of itself.
“For a while, I wasn’t necessarily sure what I wanted to study,” said Reyes. “I would jump from one potential major to the next with no end in sight until my junior year of high school, when I took biology and biotechnology simultaneously. While both classes were hard, I was inspired to pursue this as a career because as I was being challenged daily, my love for science grew, as well.”
When she arrived at Illinois, she decided to add Spanish to the mix to stay connected to her roots.
“Growing up as a first generation Mexican American, I’ve been surrounded by my native culture and tongue,” said Reyes. “I decided that keeping my culture as I went into a science-based career would not only help improve my Spanish skills, but I could also use it to help others who may still be adjusting to the American culture and English language.”
That addition was the missing piece of the puzzle for Reyes.
“My majors have prepared me to better understand both science and people,” she said. “They have helped me stay curious, think clearly, and communicate better. Through both majors, I have learned how to interact with different perspectives and individuals.”
That desire to use her skills to give back and form connections is also inspiring her career plans.
“After I graduate, I plan on pursuing a higher education,” said Reyes. “I’ve had my eyes set on becoming a genetic counselor and would love to focus on those who come from underserved communities.”
Editor's note: This story first appeared in the SLCL Fall 2025 print newsletter.