Biology major Daniel Rodriguez is leading the effort to maintain the University of Illinois Springfield Community Garden over the summer as the project coordinator. It’s a paid student position where he works 20 hours a week watering the plants, pulling weeds and organizing volunteers. During the school year, Rodriguez is also active as a member of the TARA Meditation Club, the Biology Club and plays on the dodge ball team. When he’s not tending to the garden, Rodriguez works as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at a Springfield nursing home.

Growing up in a small town, Jake Seidel spent a lot of time working outdoors. He brought his passion for the outdoors to the University of Illinois Springfield where he’s now learning how to protect the environment as a biology major. At UIS, Seidel is president of the Biology Club, a member of the UIS Cross Country and Track and Field teams, the Capital Scholars Honors Program, Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society and Students Allied for a Greener Earth (SAGE).

Executive Director of Student Support Services Bethany Bilyeu has been named the 2021 Employee of the Year at the University of Illinois Springfield. She was honored during a virtual reception on Feb. 1, 2022.

Before announcing the winner, UIS Interim Chancellor Karen Whitney thanked the eleven Employees of the Month who were nominated for the award.

When international student Maria Espinosa came to the University of Illinois Springfield from Colombia to play on the UIS women’s golf team, she knew she would grow as an athlete. However, she didn’t know she’d become a leader on campus.

The Third Annual Defenders of the Innocent Award Reception was held on May 24, 2010 at the Illinois Executive Mansion.