The University of Illinois Springfield is taking a look back at 2024 and our Seven Star Successes of the year.

1. Innovative learning and research

UIS strives to be a hub of innovation, embracing new approaches to learning, research and storytelling while earning recognition for its efforts.

• Innovative learning spaces: UIS redefined how students engaged with storytelling through its Esports Arena, where an English class analyzed video game narratives as a modern form of literature.
• Educating future generations: UIS and Innovate Springfield created TechX, a new high-tech lab, to teach high school students how to turn their innovative product ideas into reality. More than 80 high school students learned about entrepreneurship as part of the Sangamon CEO program.
• Supporting startups: A group of five UIS students won $10,000 in seed funding for their startup, TredBase, during a pitch competition hosted by Innovate Springfield.
• Cancer research: UIS researchers studied how cancer spreads through a partnership with the SIU School of Medicine.

2. Helping the community

UIS strengthened its commitment to the community in 2024 through several initiatives.

• Training the next generation:UIS introduced two new anatomage tables. The high-tech tables, donated by Memorial Health, let students fully visualize and learn about human anatomy layer by layer.
• Growing the workforce:UIS began offering four new medical laboratory science (MLS) certificates to address the critical shortage of certified laboratory specialists in central Illinois.
• Addressing the teacher shortage:The UIS School of Education was awarded a $145,000 grant from Grow Your Own Teachers (GYO) to develop a consortium aimed at addressing teacher shortages in central Illinois.
• Yoga in the classroom: Jennifer Martin, associate professor in the School of Education, partnered with Springfield Public Schools District 186 to integrate yoga and social-emotional learning into the curriculum.
• Helping those in need: UIS students collected 9,074 pounds of food and grocery items during the annual Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods event.

3. Improving the student experience

UIS focused on enhancing the student experience in 2024 by fostering a stronger sense of community and engagement.

• A new beginning: In August, UIS unveiled a newly revitalized First-Year Student Convocation celebration. After the formal welcome event in Sangamon Auditorium, students were met with an enthusiastic reception as faculty and staff formed a cheer line to celebrate them. The festivities continued on the quad, where the university community enjoyed food trucks, music and entertainment.
• Commencement back on campus: UIS brought Commencement back home in 2024. The 53rd annual commencement ceremonies were held May 10 and 11 in the UIS Performing Arts Center’s Sangamon Auditorium. A total of 1,051 students participated in the ceremony out of the 1,625 students who were eligible to graduate.

4. Among the best in the Midwest

UIS was named the top public regional university in Illinois for the sixth consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report. The 2025 Best Colleges rankings also placed UIS as the seventh-best public regional university in the Midwest.

5. Embracing artificial intelligence

UIS embraced artificial intelligence by exploring its applications, addressing its challenges and promoting its responsible use across campus.

• Change leaders: UIS established an AI Steering Committee to assess the advantages and challenges of AI.
• Navigating AI: UIS is part of a $25,000 National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant aimed at helping public colleges and universities navigate the world of artificial intelligence.
• Studying ChatGPT: Business faculty explored the accuracy and reliability of financial advice provided by ChatGPT.

6. Excelling in athletics

UIS student-athletes achieved significant milestones in 2024, showcasing their talent and commitment to excellence.

• Postseason success: UIS saw 12 of its 15 teams compete in GLVC championships or tournaments, including men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s tennis, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s track and field and women’s volleyball.
• Historic achievements: Women’s basketball earned its first-ever win against the nationally recognized Drury Panthers on Jan. 27, 2024. Elaine Grant of women’s golf advanced to the national stage, competing at nationals on May 24, 2024.
• Academic excellence: Carmen Llopis Fabra was named the GLVC Women’s Tennis Scholar-Athlete of the Year on June 28, 2024, highlighting UIS’ commitment to academic and athletic achievement.
• Hosting championships: UIS hosted the GLVC Cross Country Championship on Oct. 26, 2024, bringing hundreds of athletes and fans to campus and the Springfield community. Additionally, Springfield welcomed the GLVC Volleyball Championship, with UIS providing key support for the event.

7. Big moments

In 2024, UIS hosted several notable events.

• Near total eclipse: UIS held an eclipse watch party on April 8, drawing hundreds of people to the quad to witness a nearly total eclipse, with the sun 96% obscured by the moon.
• Homecoming: Under the theme “Legacy Ignited,” UIS celebrated Homecoming, featuring various activities and theme days to engage students, faculty, staff and alumni.
• Celebrating farmers: The UIS Sangamon Experience opened a new exhibit and premiered a documentary film titled “Soil & Soul: Farming in the Sangamon River Valley,” presented by United Community Bank. The film highlighted the stories of 10 individuals dedicated to farming throughout the 1,500-square-mile Sangamon River Valley in central Illinois.