Dear colleagues,

I am delighted to report that at today’s Campus Senate meeting, Matthew Geras (SPIA) was elected as Senate Chair for 2026/2027 and Kristi Barnwell (HIS) was elected as Vice-Chair. Congratulations and many thanks to both for taking on these important leadership roles.

As out-going chair of the 2025/2026 Senate (now concluded), I want to express my thanks to all who helped to make our Senate year productive. Particular thanks go to the 2025/2026 Senate Executive Committee, whose engagement in many productive and frank discussions made the work truly enjoyable: Holly Thompson, Matt Geras, Kyle Blount, Jazel Ware-Grant, and Provost Schwab (ex officio). Sara Powell, Campus Senate Office Administrator, provided (as always) irreplaceable support of Senate and its standing committees.

Finally, I want to recognize the contributions of the following senators who completed their terms this spring and are rotating off Campus Senate for now:

• Faculty senators: Kyle Blount (CHST), Jennifer Martin (CPAE), Sarah Sagmoen (LIB), Holly Thompson (CLASS), and Yuan Wen (CBM)
• Student senators: Victoria Ehiagwina, David Greene, Joseph Russo, Vidhathri Sarraf, Jazel Ware-Grant, Deme Dees, Enimien Esangbedo, and Caleb Grover

Many thanks to all for their contributions to shared governance!

Best wishes for a successful conclusion to the academic year, and have a great summer,

Lynn Fisher

Professor, Anthropology

2025-2026 Senate Chair

lfish1@uis.edu

(217) 206-7938