The University of Illinois Springfield is offering assistance with transfers and other help to students of two Central Illinois colleges that are undergoing big changes.

The following column was written by Carly Shank, artistic programs director of the University of Illinois Springfield Performing Arts Center. It was featured in The State Journal-Register on April 10, 2022. The following are excerpts from the article.

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

It is not every day, runners complete training runs and dominate half marathons but that happened recently when Springfield’s Tyler Pence, 28, and Savannah Brannan, 23, an Edwardsville High School/University of Illinois-Springfield grad, won the overall men and women Annual Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon events.

Tyler, is highly ranked in the upcoming Boston Marathon set for Monday, April 18, and Savannah is also going to run her first race in Boston on the same day.

Registration is underway for more than 200 summer courses at the University of Illinois Springfield. 

Current and prospective students can apply for classes starting on June 6.

“Whether students are wanting to get a jumpstart on classes, or are determined to graduate sooner, this is a great opportunity to continue their educational goals,” said Vickie Cook, UIS associate vice chancellor for enrollment. “Reduced fees this year make it more affordable than ever for students to take summer courses.”

Dr. Beth Ribarsky is a communication professor at the University of Illinois Springfield, and one of her most popular classes explores relationships and dating. She spoke to Community Voices about communication that indicates successful relationships, as well as relationship myths such as “don’t go to bed angry.” She also talked about her love of animals and volunteering with Illinois Humane.

Emmy award-winning writer, actor and comedian John Mulaney will perform in Springfield this May. 

Beginning in March 2022, Mulaney started touring with his newest hour, John Mulaney: From Scratch. His show at the University of Illinois Springfield Performing Arts Center is scheduled for Wednesday, May 18, 2022. 

This story aired on WAND TV on April 4, 2022. Read the entire story online.

Bryan Rives, Director of Performing Arts Services at the University of Illinois Springfield, talks to WMAY radio about the upcoming performances at the UIS PAC and updated theatre policies following the COVID-19 pandemic.

This interview aired on WMAY on March 28, 2022. Listen here.

The University of Illinois Springfield Child Protection Training Academy, part of the UIS Alliance for Experiential Problem-Based Learning, has been awarded $720,000 in federal appropriations to increase the number of trained frontline child protection and law enforcement professionals.

Some things don’t change. 

Ushering wins en masse is certainly the norm for the University of Illinois Springfield baseball team — this season notwithstanding.  

The Prairie Stars — ranked No. 13 in NCAA Division II by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association — head into this weekend’s road series at Quincy on a torrid 13-game winning streak.  

The University of Illinois Springfield softball team split Sunday's doubleheader against No. 5 Indianapolis. In game one, UIS won 2-1. In game two, the Prairie Stars fell 9-1. UIS hosts Quincy University Saturday.

This story aired on WICS Newschannel 20 on March 27, 2022. Watch it here.