4.7.25
Good afternoon, UIS:
Commencement is just a month away, marking an exciting time for our students. I encourage everyone to sign up as a volunteer by April 11 for at least one ceremony to support our graduating students and the Commencement Committee. If you cannot attend Commencement, please consider signing up by April 15 to volunteer for Springfest.
This season is filled with celebrations, including the Retirement and Recognition Ceremony, the End of Academic Year Party, and many more events to close out the year (check the Events section below). Let’s come together to make this a memorable time for our university community!
New Information
Student Technology, Arts and Research Symposium
Please support our students and their mentors as they showcase their research April 10-11 in the Student Union Ballroom. See a full schedule of events on the Research website.
Faculty Sabbaticals
The Board of Trustees has approved sabbatical leave for the 2025-26 academic year. See the full list of faculty on Orbit.
Shin Humanitarian Award Nominations
Nominate a world-changing humanitarian for the Shin Humanitarian Award by April 11. Your nomination could lead to a program or department receiving a $50,000 award.
Student Employee Appreciation Week
In celebration of Student Employee Appreciation Week April 14-18, the Student Employee Training and Recognition Committee is gifting student employees UIS crew socks. Supervisors just need to fill out the Student Employee Appreciation Week 2025 form by April 10.
Library Survey
The Senate Committee on the Library invites faculty to participate in a survey to help assess how they use, value and evaluate library resources. The survey is open until April 16 on Orbit.
Best of UIS and Beyond
Vote for the 2025 Best of UIS and Beyond on the UIS Observer website until April 17 for a chance to win prizes. All students, faculty and staff are eligible to participate.
Summer Courses – Priority Registration Now Open
Summer registration is now open for current students. Please encourage students who would benefit from summer classes to learn more online. Courses run June 2 to July 26.
Fresh Paint in Parking Lots and Crosswalks
In the coming weeks, painters will freshen some of the striping in the parking lots and the pedestrian crosswalks across campus. Please use caution when driving and walking in areas near fresh paint. Read more on Orbit.
ID Center Special Hours
The ID Center will have different hours April 7-10. See schedule changes on Orbit.
Advancement's Day of Giving
Thank you to everyone who participated in Advancement's first-ever Day of Giving—193 donors raised $32,483! They are collecting feedback via a survey to continue to hone this fundraising effort.
Newsletters
Topics in the Academic Affairs April newsletter include the academic portfolio review, HLC quality initiative update, Star Faculty Fellow and travel updates.
The most recent Office of Research & Sponsored Programs newsletter includes information about upcoming faculty presentations. You can read more on the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs’ Resource & Training page under Past Newsletters.
Read the Human Resources April Newsletter to learn about job description updates and upcoming employee events.
Upcoming Events
- Springfield Finance Society Strategic Planning Meeting: Students and area professionals are invited from 4 to 5:30 p.m. April 8 in the Student Union Ballroom to provide input on the Springfield Finance Society and UIS finance programs.
- Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike: The UIS Theatre Program has three more performances at 7:30 p.m. April 10-12 in the Studio Theatre.
- Emiquon Preserve and Therkildsen Field Station Trip: Sign up to explore teaching and research opportunities beginning at 8:45 a.m. April 14 or 15. Lunch and transportation are provided.
- Assurance of Student Learning Day: Join faculty and staff from 9 a.m. to noon April 16 in the Student Union South Ballroom for insights on capstones, internships and study away experiences, followed by details on a new faculty development program funded by the Title III LEADERSHIP grant to enhance high-impact practices.
- 2024 Retirement & Recognition Ceremony: Celebrate colleagues' milestone years of service or retirement from 9 to 10:30 a.m. April 17 in the Student Union Ballroom.
- Innovate Springfield - New Venture Challenge: The April 25 event will feature a business expo showcasing innovative business ideas from UIS students, entrepreneurs, and community members as well as pitch presentations and a keynote.
- End of Academic Year Party: The annual party, themed “Travel the World,” will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 12 on the Student Union Patio, including music, food and fun for the UIS community.
Information that Bears Repeating
NorthStar Updates
The NorthStar strategic visioning website is updated regularly. New additions include a Q&A and timeline for the academic portfolio review initiative.
Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey
Remind students to complete the Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey by April 9. More details are available on the AEO website.
Chester Fund Proposals
Units are encouraged to submit proposals for Chester funds to support the purchase of qualifying artwork no later than 5 p.m. April 11.
Celebrating Our Star Power
Congratulations to Anne-Marie Hanson, interim associate dean of the College of Health, Science and Technology and associate professor of environmental studies; Hei-Chi Chan, associate professor of mathematical sciences; Neetu Singh, associate professor of MIS; and their collaborator, Christie Miller at Northeastern Illinois University. Their proposal, “Circular Economy Startup Simulator,” has been awarded $39,960 in funding from the Illinois Innovation Network’s Sustaining Illinois Spring 2025 opportunity.
Yanhui Guo, associate professor of computer science, was the recipient of the Louise Hartman Schewe and Karl Schewe Professorship in the College of Health, Science and Technology. The professorship will support Guo’s efforts to apply artificial intelligence to improve education through research, innovation and community collaboration.
Elham Buxton, associate professor of computer science, is this year's recipient of the Harry and Deborah Berman Sabbatical Award and has been awarded $3,000 to supplement her sabbatical research taking place in the spring of 2026.
Devin Hunter, associate professor of history, has been named the inaugural Center for Lincoln Studies Faculty Fellow beginning in the 2025-26 academic year.
Jeff Williams, graphic designer, has been chosen as the lead artist for the mural project at Jaycee Park, funded through IDHS: Healing Illinois and supported by the Springfield Art Association, the Art and Research Center, and the Springfield Park District.
Getting to Know You
Ryan Bye, director of Student Affairs Strategy and Partnerships, came from Valparaiso University where he spent 11 years improving student involvement and orientation programs. He’s passionate about enhancing the student experience at UIS and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Administration degree. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling with his family to Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula and is a proud morning person. Read more about Ryan on Orbit.
Enjoy the sunshine when you can,
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.