STARS Interest Form

Meet the STARS Advisor

headshot of Destiney Boyd

Interested in the STARS Living Learning Community?

Well, allow me to introduce myself… My name is Destiney Boyd and the most important thing to know about me is that I am dedicated to helping STARS navigate their freshman year of college!

In 2018, I successfully completed my bachelor’s degree in English and Legal Studies here at UIS. I also earned my master’s degree in English from UIS in 2020.

Not only was I a first-generation college student, but I was also a STARS student back in 2013 during my freshman year. Without a shadow of a doubt in my mind, I know the STARS Living Learning Community certainly played a crucial role in my academic success here at UIS. 

Destiney’s Top Priorities

  • Building relationships with each and every one of my STARS
  • Assisting my STARS with major selection and course selection
  • Creating fun and engaging events for my STARS each semester
  • Ensuring that my STARS develop the skills and discipline necessary to graduate from UIS

STARS Events

STARS students participating in a team building event in the TRAC gymnasium
STARS students enjoying a meal together at the former Stars Lounge
STARS students participating in team building activities in the SLB gymnasium

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out the questions below to learn more about the STARS program!

Understanding the Significance of STARS

All incoming freshman college students must understand that obtaining a bachelor’s degree requires more than a lackadaisical approach. Being a successful college student requires you to be fully immersed in your college experience. Students must find a way to balance their personal life, social life, and academic pursuits, which can be very challenging. This is why joining a Living Learning Community, such as STARS, would be highly beneficial!

STARS is a multifaceted program designed to assist freshman students with their transition from high school to college. Since STARS launched several years ago, it has a history of helping students at UIS find a sense of community on campus, build strong friendships, and maintain good academic standing.

Students who join the STARS program, not only get the opportunity to live with other fellow STARS students in a special wing of the dormitory, but also get to enjoy countless other perks of the program such as social events, academic awards, and STARS merchandise. 

Is STARS the Right Living Learning Community for You?

Ask yourself (or if you are a parent/guardian, ask your student) the following questions…

  • Are you a first-generation college student?
  • Are you undecided about your major?
  • Did you struggle with your coursework in high school? Did you struggle to maintain a 2.5 GPA in high school?
  • Do you struggle with standardized tests, such as the ACT and SAT?
  • Are you worried about making friends in college?
  • Do you want help strengthening your networking skills?
  • Would you like assistance with finding a career path that best suits you?
  • Would you like to have a peer mentor while in college?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then STARS is probably the best living learning community for you!

How Do I Join STARS?

Joining STARS is easy! All you need to do is express your interest in joining the program by completing the STARS interest Form. The form will only take about 15 minutes to complete.

If you need additional information about the program before making a decision, please contact Destiney Boyd via email at dboyd6@uis.edu .