Author
Blake Wood
Publish Date

The University of Illinois Springfield is taking a look back at 2023 and our seven STAR successes of the year.

A student on their phone next to the colonnade

1. UIS enrollment increases by 11%

A total of 4,661 students enrolled in Fall Semester 2023 classes at the University of Illinois Springfield, an increase of 11% from 4,198 students in Fall 2022. UIS was also ranked the top public regional university in Illinois for a fifth consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report.

A photo of the UIS colonnade with students walking in front of it

2. UIS awarded a $2.25 million grant to attract and retain students

UIS was awarded a five-year Strengthening Institutions Program Grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will allow for the implementation of more high-impact practices (HIPs) to attract and retain students.

The outside of the Innovate Springfield building

3. UIS makes advances in innovation

Robert Kerr was hired as executive director of innovation and opportunity to oversee the growth of UIS’ innovation programming, followed by the announcement that Ben Hage would lead Innovate Springfield, UIS’ downtown business incubator. The Sangamon CEO program also became part of Innovate Springfield and expanded mentorship opportunities for high school students in Sangamon County.

Two students in the UIS Esports Arena

4. UIS levels up with new cutting-edge esports arena 🎮🚀

UIS held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 6 for a new state-of-the-art esports gaming arena that allows students to virtually compete against other collegiate teams in the United States. Two UIS teams made the National Esports Collegiate Conference playoffs in their first year of competition.

Photos of UIS students playing baseball, golf, soccer and cross country

5. Prairie Stars take the national stage in athletics

  • UIS teams made seven appearances in NCAA regionals in 2023 in baseball, softball, women's golf, men's soccer, men's cross country and women's cross country.
  • The women's golf team won its first GLVC Championship.
  • The men’s soccer team won its first GLVC regular season title.
  • Cort Ross won the GLVC Cross Country Championship, the fourth consecutive year a Prairie Star won the meet. He advanced to the NCAA Cross Country Championships and finished 18th in NCAA Division II to become an All-American.
A UIS student in cap and gown shakes hands on the Commencement stage.

6. The Prairie Promise offers free tuition for first-year undergrads

UIS launched the Prairie Promise, a new four-year financial aid program for Illinois residents that will fully cover the cost of tuition and fees for first-time, first-year undergraduate students enrolled full-time in on-campus degree programs starting in Fall 2024.

Two UIS students using equipment in the Orion Lab.

7. UIS launches new high-tech Orion Lab

In early 2023, the UIS Computer Science Department opened the Orion Lab in the basement of the Health and Sciences Building. The lab includes 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters and engravers, computing, cyber security and fabrication equipment. The lab is open to all UIS students, faculty and staff for their research projects.