Rylie Joelner '28
First-generation student and IC Scholar
Rylie Joelner ’28 chose Illinois College for its supportive environment and quickly found a place where she could thrive. A nursing major and first-generation college student, Joelner credits IC’s small classes, strong financial support and hands-on learning with shaping her college experience.
“I loved that professors like Joni Smith and Nichol DelGiorno could tell when I didn’t understand something and were willing to help,” Joelner said. “Here, I’m not just a number, I’m a person.”
Through clinical labs, honors projects and coursework in anatomy and physiology, Joelner is building a strong foundation for her future in nursing. Outside the classroom, she serves as a student ambassador and involvement leader, mentoring other first-generation students. “I want students to know they’re not alone,” she said. “I was in their shoes once.”
Her study abroad experience in Cuba expanded her global perspective on healthcare. With faculty and TRiO mentors supporting her academically and personally, Joelner is graduating READY to provide compassionate, informed care.