Dear members of the University of Illinois System community,

I am writing to share an important update on the search for the next president of the U of I System.

The Search Committee met for the first time today to begin its work identifying the next president of the U of I System — a successor to President Tim Killeen, who concludes his distinguished tenure on June 30, 2027. The committee is charged with leading a thorough, inclusive national search worthy of the system that President Killeen and all of you have helped build.

This search belongs to all of us. The next president will lead a system that now includes more than 101,000 students and 30,000 faculty and staff across the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago, and University of Illinois Springfield — and their voices must shape the path forward.

To that end, the committee will host a series of town halls on each of our university campuses to hear directly from students, faculty, staff, and other members of our community:

• Chicago: Tuesday, June 16, 2-4 p.m., Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, Rooms DEF.
• Springfield: Wednesday, June 17, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., UIS Performing Arts Center, 1 University Plaza, 2200 Ernest Hemingway Drive, Springfield, Brookens Auditorium.
• Urbana-Champaign: Thursday, June 18, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., I Hotel & Conference Center, 1900 S. First St., Champaign, Heritage Hall.

I encourage you to attend, share your perspective, and help us understand what you most want to see in our next leader. If you can't make it to one of the campuses for the in-person town halls, please submit your feedback on the presidential search website, which will also be updated with news about the search as it progresses.

We are at an extraordinary moment for the University of Illinois System. Thank you for the role each of you plays in contributing to the excellence of this institution.

With appreciation,
Jesse H. Ruiz
Chair, University of Illinois Board of Trustees

If you require any accommodation to fully participate in a session, please contact System Human Resource Services at erhr@uillinois.edu or 217.333.2600.

This is an approved event under Policy and Rules for Civil Service Staff, Rule 11.12. Overtime eligible employees may be released up to 2.5 hours from work to attend, operations permitting, and subject to prior supervisor approval.