The University of Illinois Springfield and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (ILBCF) Speaker Series will discuss “Tackling Criminal Justice Reform and Police Accountability” during a Zoom virtual event from 5:30-7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 26.

The University of Illinois Springfield Innovation Hub, UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership and the Community Health Roundtable will host a free virtual public webinar titled “Back to School During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Delta Variant, the Policy Response and Our School Nurses on the Front Lines” at Noon Friday, Aug. 20 via Zoom.

The University of Illinois Springfield has named Laura Liesman as its Designate Director of Athletics, pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. The Aurora, Illinois native has spent the past 18 years at Georgian Court University (GCU) in Lakewood, New Jersey. At GCU, she is the Assistant Vice President for Athletics and Recreation and Director of Athletics.

Due to our on-campus density increasing with the start of the Fall 2021 semester and the high transmission rates of COVID-19 throughout our region, state and country, the UIS COVID-19 Rapid Response Team has made the decision to require COVID-19 testing for all on-campus individuals for a one-month “entry testing” period beginning the week of Aug. 16. Compliance with this directive will be closely monitored.

All on-campus students, faculty and staff who are fully vaccinated must test once per week.

The University of Illinois Springfield named Laura Liesman Director of Athletics.

“I am thrilled to join the UIS community," Liesman said. "I want to thank Chancellor Whitney, Vice Chancellor Comerford, the search committee and everyone who engaged in the search process. The commitment and passion of the coaches and staff is energizing and I look forward to partnering together to provide an exceptional experience for our student-athletes while continuing to integrate Athletics into the fabric of the campus and Springfield community.”