Author
Brandon Schwab, Ph.D.
Publish Date

From Provost Schwab

Colleagues,

I hope your semester is off to a good start and that you have enjoyed meeting new students and colleagues and reconnecting with others. The beautiful weather has provided a wonderful backdrop for the flurry of activity around the start of the new academic year.

I want to give a shoutout to the Student Affairs team and everyone else who made student welcome week such a success. I love the continued evolution of student convocation and development of new traditions like the Prairie Star pledge and the run through the high-five tunnel, and I look forward to seeing these grow.

As I mentioned at the annual kickoff meeting, we have faced some intense challenges in 2025, and I have no doubt we will encounter new challenges in the months ahead. Even so, I am incredibly proud of UIS and the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students. What you do matters, and I am grateful to work alongside you.

If you have not seen it, please check out the inaugural Academic Affairs Annual Impact Report. It is a nice reminder of last year’s achievements, and we welcome your suggestions for the next installment.

We are transitioning from last year’s Academic Portfolio Review (APR) to analysis and program prioritization. I am currently working with the deans to finalize analysis of the APR dashboard reports. The individual reports and prioritization results will be made available to unit executive officers and the wider university community in mid-September. Details on the expected response plans due by the end of the semester will be shared at that time. We will also schedule an open Q&A session to talk about the process and answer questions. Continue to refer to the APR site for updates. Although this is a challenging process and requires making difficult decisions, this periodic review and prioritization is important as we strive to strengthen our curriculum and academic offerings.

We have many significant projects this year, including the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Quality Initiative centered on academic advising, preparation for our 10-year HLC reaffirmation of accreditation, and taking a careful look at student retention and ability to progress through programs. All of this is focused on making UIS the best it can be for our students.

We do face many challenges, like all of higher ed, including resource limitations, demographic shifts, economic pressures, and federal policy changes. What sets UIS apart is our supportive and resilient community that genuinely believes in UIS’ value and mission. Working together, I am confident we can overcome the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead.

Best wishes for a successful semester,

Brandon

Connect with the Provost

Provost's Open Hours

Faculty and staff are invited to Provost's Open Hours - Thursday, October 2, 3-5 pm. We'll share the location as soon as details have been finalized.

You are welcome to stop by and sign in for an opportunity to chat with Provost Brandon Schwab on a first come, first served basis.

Invite the Provost

If you would like to invite Provost Schwab to attend or participate in your event, use the "Invite the Provost: Event Participation Request" form to provide all necessary details in one place. This helps us let you know about his availability and ensures he has everything he needs to prepare for your event.

Important Initiatives

Institutional Data Advisory Group

The Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness (OIRE) has reestablished the Institutional Data Advisory Group to enhance the creation, use, and dissemination of data and information resources across UIS. The group will serve as a collaborative forum for deep-dives into tools and platforms, identifying university-wide data reporting needs, discussing institution-level analytic projects, and addressing issues related to the access and interpretation of data. All UIS employees are welcome to join. If you are interested in learning about future meetings, please contact Michele Gribbins to get added to the invitation list.

Opportunities to Make a Difference

Good Idea Fund - Apply Now

We are excited to announce that the Good Idea Fund is available again this year! This initiative offers one-time (non-recurring) funds to support innovative ideas from UIS staff and faculty. If you have a project that could make a positive impact on our University, we want to hear from you! We invite a wide range of ideas that can create broad impact. Whether it's a new program, a research project, or an initiative to improve campus life, we encourage you to apply and share your vision with us. Read about previous years' Good Ideas.

You may request up to $5,000, and smaller requests are also welcome. Applications submitted by October 1 will be considered, and decisions by the Provost's Leadership Team will be communicated by October 15. All funds must be expended in the current fiscal year, and a final report from awardees is due no later than July 15, 2026.

Let's work together to bring your great ideas to life and make a difference at UIS!

Submit Your Good Idea Proposal

University Experience Survey Action Group

The University Experience Survey (formerly the Campus Climate Survey) provides valuable insights that guide improvements to our university environment, teaching, learning, and workplace culture. The survey will be administered to all faculty, staff, and students in October-November. 

A University Experience Survey Action Group is being formed to encourage survey participation, review and interpret survey results, and help develop and support an action plan in response to findings. If you would like to be considered for the action group, please e-mail Michele Gribbins in the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. 

CPAE Dean Search Launched

We have launched the search for a committed, student-centered, and collaborative leader to serve as the Dean of the College of Public Affairs and Education, and the opportunity is now posted on the UIS Job Board. You are invited to share the opportunity with your professional networks and direct any interested individuals to the official UIS Job Board posting.

The search committee will be constituted in the next several weeks, and I look forward to the successful hire of a well-qualified CPAE Dean. I appreciate the interim leadership of Dean Miriam Wallace while the search is underway.

News Worth Celebrating

Faculty Fellows and Faculty Associates Serving This Year

Center for Faculty Excellence

Dr. Daniel Platt, Assistant Professor in the Department of Legal Studies, has been selected as the Faculty Associate for the Center for Faculty Excellence for the 2025-2026 term. Dr. Platt joins CFE Faculty Associate Dr. Jennifer Martin. He will work with an advisory board to assist UIS faculty in enhancing their teaching effectiveness and advancing their academic careers.

Online, Professional and Engaged Learning (OPEL)

Dr. Leah Bueso, Assistant Professor in the School of Education, will explore technological options for implementing restorative practices in online courses.

Dr. Hei-Chi Chan, Associate Professor of Mathematics, and Dr. Neetu Singh, Associate Professor of Management Information Systems, are teaming up to continue their work with the Artificial Intelligence (AI) campus learning community they successfully launched in 2023.

Resource Refresh

Center for Faculty Excellence Events

The Center for Faculty Excellence has a strong lineup of events planned for the Fall semester. This includes a special series led by faculty who participated in the ACUE Effective Teaching Practice program, offering practical strategies and insights to support effective teaching. You can find the full schedule on our CFE Events web page and on the CFE Canvas page. We hope you’ll join us!

Report of Non-University Activities (RNUA)

Academic staff members must annually complete a disclosure and request for approval of Conflict of Commitment or Interest activities.

  • Deadline for RNUA submission: September 29, 2025
  • Workshop at UIS: Monday, September 22, 10-11 am
  • Zoom link
    Meeting ID: 865 0782 4900
    Password: 651879

Submission of Grant Proposals

A friendly reminder about the grant application process:

  1. Grants are awarded to universities, not individuals. Faculty must submit grant applications to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. 
  2. Submission timeline: Please ensure that documents such as grant proposals and letters of commitment are sent at least 10 business days before the deadline to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. 

Newsletter notes

Subscriptions and suggestions

Suggestions for future content: We are interested in hearing from you about topics you would like to see covered in the Provost’s Office monthly newsletter. Send content suggestions.

Newsletter opt-in: The Academic Affairs newsletter is sent to employees in the Division of Academic Affairs monthly during the academic year. If the newsletter was forwarded to you or you found it in Orbit, and you would like to be added to the distribution list, please contact Monica Kroft. We would be glad to send to you directly.

Important Dates

Office of the VCAA/Provost
Contact: Monica Kroft

News Categories
provost