Kaydence Haag '26
Current Student
For Kaydence Haag ’26, transferring to Illinois College was a quick decision that changed everything. She arrived as a business administration major and soon added organizational and strategic communication, finding a blend that “aligned perfectly with my interests in leadership and marketing.”
A first-generation student from Decatur, Illinois, Haag quickly became a campus leader, serving as hall director of Turner and Crampton, president of the First Generation Organization, and marketing intern for TRIO. “I’ve learned so much about how to lead a team and support others who are finding their place in college,” she says.
Her global perspective grew last summer when she was one of just ten students nationwide selected for a TRIO study abroad opportunity in the Netherlands, where she studied sustainable entrepreneurship alongside peers from 32 countries. “It was incredible to hear so many different voices and experiences,” she says. “It made me realize how connected the world really is.”
Faculty mentor Brooke Rhoades has been pivotal in Haag’s journey, helping her explore graduate school options and strengthen her voice as a leader. “Illinois College has shaped me into someone who’s ready to walk into any room with confidence,” Haag says. “That’s what being Graduate READY means to me.”