CHAMPAIGN, Ill — Illinois Extension and Illinois Nutrition Education Programs are pleased to announce the addition of two new members to the Champaign County team: Christy Vasilopoulos and Siqi Hu. Both bring unique backgrounds and skills that will enhance the impact of SNAP-Ed programs in the community.

Christy Vasilopoulos is excited to embrace her role as a Champaign County SNAP-Ed Community Worker. After receiving her BA in English with a Secondary Education Certification from Eastern Illinois University, she spent three years teaching English in local schools. She then worked at the Champaign County Humane Society, where, during her time, Christy discovered her passion for helping in her community. She is the most excited to combine her lifetime love of cooking and teaching in this position. In her free time, Christy enjoys singing—often breaking into song with little encouragement—and loves playing Dungeons & Dragons.

Siqi Hu, a Champaign County Community Worker, brings a unique blend of skills and passion to her role. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, Siqi previously worked as a Community Program Assistant at the Urbana Park District, where she honed her community engagement and program management abilities. She is particularly excited to integrate nutrition education into her work, recognizing it as a crucial element of overall well-being. Outside of her professional pursuits, Siqi enjoys expressing her creativity through painting and connecting with nature through camping, both of which play essential roles in her life.

"Christy and Siqi are great additions to Champaign SNAP-Ed team,” says SNAP-Ed Educator Tracy Bowden. “They both come from backgrounds working with children and education and have previously worked in environments serving underserved audiences. Christy and Siqi are bilingual (Christy- English/Spanish, Siqi- English, Mandarin). They came into these positions eager to serve the community and add value to our SNAP-Ed team. We welcome them both and look forward to our team and program flourishing."

Illinois Extension and INEP are confident that Christy and Siqi will be valuable assets to the Champaign County team, contributing to the continued success of SNAP-Ed programs and the broader mission of improving community health and nutrition.

Caption: Illinois Extension and Illinois Nutrition Education Programs proudly welcome new SNAP-Ed community workers, Siqi Hu (left) and Christy Vasilopoulos (right).