Steven Johnson Jr.
Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
How do you show CARE in your day-to-day work at UIS?
One of the most meaningful ways I demonstrate CARE is by investing in the students who are entrusted to CARE for others.
This summer, I had the opportunity to help facilitate training for our Star Guides, the student leaders who welcome new Prairie Stars and their families during Orientation. While Orientation introduces students to campus resources and academic expectations, I believe its greatest purpose is helping students begin to answer the question, "Do I belong here?" During training, I challenged our Star Guides to see themselves not simply as Orientation Leaders, but as culture creators. Through reflection, storytelling, team-building and interactive activities, they embraced the responsibility to lead with empathy, authenticity and purpose, ultimately creating an Orientation experience where hundreds of new students and their families felt welcomed, valued and excited to become part of the Prairie Star community.
For me, this reflects what CARE looks like in Student Affairs. Sometimes caring means offering direct support to a student. Other times, it means investing in the development of student leaders so they can multiply that CARE throughout our campus community.
When we empower students to lead with compassion, we strengthen our culture of belonging and create experiences that leave a lasting impression. Long after students forget the presentations they attended or the information they received, they will remember how they felt during their first days on campus.
Why I CARE
Knowing that our Star Guides helped new students feel seen, welcomed and valued reminds me why this work matters. CARE is not just something we say—it is something we intentionally create through every interaction, every relationship and every opportunity to help someone feel that they belong.
What is CARE?
CARE, our foundation for working with others, guides UIS employees to foster a student-centered experience where every individual feels valued, supported and connected. This framework reinforces our Prairie Star commitment to academic and community excellence through integrity, respect and empathy, embedded into daily interactions.