11.25.24
It is hard to believe the holidays start this week! I’ll be enjoying time with my family, and I hope you have a chance to enjoy some well-deserved rest and time with loved ones.
During this season of celebrations, I hope you will mark your calendars to join me to recognize our summer and winter graduates from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 9 in the pre-function area outside of the Student Union Ballroom. While these students are invited to participate in commencement in May, we are also celebrating them now, and your support will make the event even more special.
New Information
NorthStar Initiative
NorthStar is our guide to operationalizing the Strategic Compass as we seek to position UIS to be a more resilient, adaptable and market-aligned academic institution through strategic, action-focused priorities. Read more about our NorthStar priorities on Orbit.
Commencement
The 2025 commencement ceremonies will take place on May 9 and 10 in Sangamon Auditorium. There will be three ceremonies, divided by college:
- 7 p.m. Friday, May 9: Graduates from the College of Health, Science and Technology
- 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10: Graduates from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the College of Public Affairs and Education
- 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10: Graduates from the College of Business and Management
The number of tickets per graduate will be established once we have a clearer picture of the number of students who register to participate. We also will provide several overflow seating options on campus featuring a livestream of each ceremony. Visit the commencement site for additional details as they are confirmed.
Dynamic Program Pages Launched
The Office of Web and Digital Strategy, Enrollment Management and Marketing have enhanced our academic program pages with today’s launch of Dynamic Program Pages. This initiative aims to improve consistency, enhance the user experience and provide prospective students with accurate and accessible program information. To learn more about next steps with the implementation of these pages, visit Orbit.
2025 Academic Summer Camps
UIS hosts academic summer camps each year for area high school students to explore career paths, gain practical skills through hands-on learning and have a memorable summer experience. They are a great way to introduce potential students to UIS! Camps can be single or multiple days, delivered on campus, online or hybrid. Continuing and Professional Education assists with planning, development, registration, collecting tuition and marketing. If you’re interested in developing a camp for the coming summer, complete the interest form by Dec. 6.
Provost's Leadership Team Refresh
In the Provost’s November newsletter on Orbit, he announced a few leadership updates:
- Cecilia Cornell has an updated title of Vice Provost and Director of Graduate Education (VPGE), and her portfolio now includes the Center for State Policy and Leadership, the Center for Lincoln Studies and the Sangamon Experience.
- Layne Morsch has taken on a broader role as Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs (APFA). In addition to overseeing Online, Professional and Engaged Learning (OPEL), Layne is responsible for promoting excellence, equity, and innovation in teaching through the Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE).
- Michele Gribbins is now the Associate Provost for Institutional Research and Effectiveness (APIRE). The Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness is a newly structured unit within Academic Affairs. Its mission is to advance the goals and strategic priorities of our institutional research, assessment, and effectiveness activities.
Course Articulation and Renumbering
To make UIS as transfer-friendly as possible, please review the ways you can help improve the student transfer experience, and learn more on Orbit.
- Increase the number of course-to-course articulations that count toward specific student degree requirements instead of having transfer credits accepted as electives only
- Renumber UIS upper-division courses that are taught at the lower-division level at most other colleges/universities as lower-division
Copyleaks AI Detection Update
As of Nov. 19, Copyleaks has updated its algorithm to better identify AI content. You will likely see more reports with positive AI results. Remember, though, that detectors can be biased and inaccurate. Read more on Orbit.
Information that Bears Repeating
Winter Accelerated Courses
Winter intersession classes begin Dec. 16. If you know students who would benefit, please encourage them to register. More information is available at our accelerated courses site.
Mandated Reporter Training
All employees are required to complete mandated reporter training by Jan. 17. Begin your training here.
Prairie Star Family Connect
Student Affairs recently launched Prairie Star Family Connect. Encourage family members of prospective or current students to sign up today so they can receive timely updates and be better connected to support their student’s success at UIS! Read more on the UIS Newsroom.
Last call for SRI Congress Proposals
The Sustainability Research + Innovation Congress invites you to submit session proposals by Dec. 7 around the challenges, solutions and questions to create a more sustainable future. The annual event is co-presented by the U of I System in Chicago June 16-19, 2025, and will be the first time the event has been held in North America.
Gallery Silent Auction
The annual UIS Visual Arts Gallery auction and benefit runs through Dec. 5 and features a diverse collection of art donated by artists and community supporters. Proceeds support gallery programming. Learn more on Orbit.
Celebrating Our Star Power
Associate Professor and MPH Director Brian Chen recently led the UIS delegation to the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo where a student he mentored earned the national award for best master’s-level abstract.
Three pieces of art by Jeff Williams, graphic designer in Campus Services, including the painting, “Frank’s Vision - The Promise of New Philadelphia 1836,” were recognized for their historical significance and purchased by the Illinois State Museum for their permanent collection. You can view his work on Facebook.
Getting to Know You
Jason Kosowski, IT Technical Associate for Human Resources, enjoys collaborating with his dedicated team and participating in several committees, from customer service improvements to AI ethics. Outside of work, he embraces his role as the fun uncle to eight nieces and nephews and is pursuing a doctorate at UIS, focusing on technological interventions for climate issues. Learn more about Jason’s family and travel memories on Orbit.
Enjoy the short week,
Janet
Janet L. Gooch, Ph.D.
Chancellor
University of Illinois Springfield
P.S. If you have a topic you’d like me to consider for my newsletter, submit your idea here. I love to highlight your news, events and accolades.