Would you like to know more about the department from the perspective of current graduate students? They are uniquely positioned to tell you more about our graduate program and life in Urbana-Champaign. The students listed below have volunteered to respond to questions from prospective graduate students.
Nazih Raychouni
My name is Nazih Raychouni. I am in the second year of my PhD program. My research explores the intersections of sexuality, gender, education, and cultural change in the SWANA Region, with a particular focus on Lebanon. I am interested in how sexuality and gender are regulated through social norms, legal frameworks, and educational systems, and how these structures shape the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. My work draws on queer theory, political sociology, and life course theory to examine how current policies and the absence of comprehensive sex education perpetuate stigma, reinforce heteronormativity, and sustain a culture of silence around sexuality.
Prospective students may contact Nazih at nazihr2@illinois.edu.
Israt Jahan
I’m Israt, a PhD student in Sociology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. My research interests include women’s health, demography, health disparities, medical sociology, and quantitative methods. I also have experience teaching sociology courses and conducting quantitative research.
I’m happy to connect with prospective students and share my experiences with graduate school, research, teaching, and student life at UIUC. I know choosing a graduate program can be a big decision, so I’d be glad to answer questions and share my perspective.
Fun fact about me: I love music and painting! I look forward to connecting with you and sharing my experience.
Prospective students may contact Israt at isratj2@illinois.edu.