GIF 2024 | University of Illinois Springfield

Proposal: Building on success from last year, APAC and CSAC are joining forces to promote employee community across units by hosting several social events, including a hot chocolate bar in the winter.
Amount funded: $1,000
Outcomes: More than 80 employees participated in the Treat Yourself social in the Library, with a lot of smiles and great conversation.

Proposal: A professional creative writer will be invited to campus to do a reading of their work and to host a workshop for students, to give students the chance to interact and engage with a writer from a similar background, providing feedback, inspiration, and guidance in their own studies.
Amount funded: $2,500
Outcomes: Felicia Zamora was invited to UIS for a poetry reading, and the Diversity Center’s Buenas Vibras student group participated in a book club event to prepare for the visit and build community.

Proposal: A two-day intensive, on-site workshop will be offered for secondary education social science teachers who seek to increase their awareness of sources and enhance their approaches to teaching about the historical and contemporary experiences of Native Americans in the land now called Illinois.
Amount funded: $5,000

Proposal: NEW MUSIC SPRINGFIELD (NMS), which began as a pilot program last spring with funding from a Good Idea grant, will present performances of contemporary and experimental music and offer opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members to participate in performances and even compose new works.
Amount funded: $3,000
Outcomes: New Music Springfield hosted three concerts on campus this season, which engaged 15 performers and 115 audience members (some of whom joined the performers) from UIS and the surrounding community.

Proposal: Two field trips to the UIS Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon (TFSE) will be arranged for UIS faculty wishing to learn more about incorporating the Emiquon Preserve into their courses and research.
Amount funded: $770
Outcomes: Unfortunately, the Good Idea did not proceed as planned due to lack of faculty participation.

Proposal: A bocce ball court will be built on campus for faculty, staff, and students. The outdoor court will be available for casual play as well as intramurals and potentially league play.
Amount funded: $4,930
Outcomes: The Grounds Crew and Campus Recreation Staff teamed up to roll out the bocce ball courts, which debuted with a summer lunch league for UIS employees.

Proposal: "Throwing Thursdays" will create an opportunity for students, staff and faculty to learn a new skill while having fun together. It will give added value to the UIS community by offering a unique opportunity to be creative and gain an appreciation for the ceramic arts. In addition, it will help increase awareness of the studio arts and the incredible facilities that UIS provides.
Amount funded: $2,500

Proposal: An immersive half-day field trip experience will be hosted on campus, anticipated for late March, 2025, to engage students from regional high schools, bring them to the UIS and introduce them to the exciting world of AI and its diverse career paths. Students will engage with industry leaders, local business partners, UIS faculty, and current students through informative presentations and interactive sessions.
Amount funded: $5,000

Proposal: Finance faculty will collaborate with Advancement to organize the Springfield Finance Society (SFS) to bring together finance students and professionals in Springfield and nearby areas. Professional development-oriented and networking events will be arranged for finance professionals across all sectors such as agriculture, banking, government, and medical.
Amount funded: $2,000
Outcomes: An initial on-campus strategic planning event was organized with UIS staff, faculty, students, and finance professionals from the Springfield community.

Proposal: The Department of Counseling and Social Work (CSW) will organize and deliver a one-day professional development conference specifically supporting mental health practices to foster inclusivity. Tentative session topics include neurodiversity, LGBTQ communities, racial trauma, and supervision.
Amount funded: $4,000

Proposal: The College of Health, Science and Technology (CHST) will hire two students as STEM Digital Solutions Assistants to digitize key college processes. Adopting digital solutions will improve efficiency and compliance, and foster a culture of innovation that aligns with the university’s commitment to advancing STEM education.
Amount funded: $4,800
Outcomes: A student Web Design Intern made significant progress in establishing a strong foundation for digital transformation efforts with CHST, transitioning procedures to a more streamlined, app-based system.

Proposal: The College of Health, Science and Technology (CHST) will purchase promotional and interactive STEM activity materials to more actively participate in K-12 STEM fairs and enhance community outreach initiatives.
Amount funded: $2,000
Outcomes: Twelve faculty and several graduate and undergraduate students participated in major regional STEM events, each reaching over 1500 K-12 students, science teachers, and families.