The University of Illinois Springfield has always felt like home to Duane Willingham II. Now, he’s helping new students make the transition from high school to college. This summer, the Sociology/Anthropology major worked as a Student Orientation Coordinator, helping incoming freshmen learn about UIS and get ready for the school year. On campus, Willingham is the president of the Voices in Praise Gospel Choir and a member of the Christian Student Fellowship and the Black Male Collegiate Society.

Preston Marucco, a recent Environmental Studies MA graduate, was hired at Hanson Professional Services in Springfield, Illinois.

Check out his video describing his experience at UIS!

The 39th Annual Employee of the Year Recognition event will be held virtually at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. At the celebration the 2021 Employees of Month will be recognized and the Employee of the Year will be announced.

The celebration can be viewed via Zoom.

Download the 39th Annual Employee of the Year Recognition program.

Hometown: Shelbyville, IllinoisMajor: Political ScienceFuture Plans: Attend law school and become involved in politics

There's a lot to look forward to in downtown Springfield with many major redevelopment projects currently underway.

The city is expecting to get its first rooftop bar by this summer and the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) could begin designing a new downtown space in the next few months. Other projects like new hotels and luxury apartment buildings however, are either out of money or have been scrapped altogether.