1.12.26

As we kick off the new year, take a moment to celebrate our Seven Star Successes of 2025. From strengthening the Illinois economy and earning national recognition for supporting first-generation students to achievements in athletics and academics, it’s been a year of remarkable growth for UIS.

Looking ahead, I invite you to the 2026 RISE Professional Development Retreat on Feb. 6. This year’s sessions will focus on the CARE Framework, a university-wide approach to fostering student-centered practices through Communication, Action, Respect and Empathy. Registration is open through Jan. 23, with morning and afternoon sessions and a shared keynote lunch. This year, breakout sessions will not be assigned beforehand; they will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

New Information

Fire Alarm Testing

Facilities and Services will be testing fire alarms Jan. 13-16. The alarm horns and the strobe lights will activate intermittently during testing to ensure all system components are functioning properly. Please visit Orbit to see when your building will be tested.

New Cybersecurity Training

There is a new cybersecurity training, “Physical Security Best Practices,” due by March 31.

Digital Accessibility Deadline 

The deadline to ensure your websites and course materials meet digital accessibility standards is April 24. If you need help, the Digital Accessibility Remediation Team (DART) offers workshops to help you get everything ready. Check the upcoming events section for more details.

Acting AEO and Title IX Coordinator

Donald Kamm is serving as Acting AEO and Title IX Coordinator while the university completes the search for a permanent coordinator, which is anticipated to be completed this spring. He can be reached at titleix@uis.edu. 

System President Tim Killeen Plans to Step Down in 2027

University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen will step down from his role on June 30, 2027, at the end of his current contract. In a message to faculty and staff, Killeen said he remains fully committed to advancing the system’s goals and will work with the Board of Trustees to ensure a smooth leadership transition, allowing ample time for a thoughtful national search for his successor. Under his decade-long leadership, the system has seen record growth and momentum, and there will be opportunities ahead to reflect on and celebrate the accomplishments achieved together. 

VCERM Search Update

To further strengthen and expand our candidate pool for the ongoing Vice Chancellor for Enrollment and Retention Management search—and to ensure we attract individuals with a wide range of experiences and leadership readiness—we have added the option to hire this role at either the Vice Chancellor or Vice Provost level to oversee the ERM Division. Accordingly, the search will move forward with flexibility to appoint the position as Vice Chancellor for Enrollment and Retention Management or Vice Provost for Enrollment and Retention Management, depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. 

To support this approach and ensure we identify the strongest possible leader at the appropriate level, both Provost Schwab and I will be actively engaged in the search process moving forward. I will share more information about the status of this important search as it proceeds. 

UIS Athletics Achieves Record Academic Success 

The Athletics Department posted a program-record GPA of 3.63 for the Fall 2025 semester—the highest in department history. This marks the fourth consecutive semester with a GPA above 3.50 and continues a three-year streak of record-setting academic achievement, highlighting the consistent dedication of student-athletes both on and off the field.  

Department Newsletters

The Facilities & Services Newsletter shares exciting updates, including progress on major campus projects. Construction on the Library Commons is now 14% complete, and roofing work on Founders Hall is finished. Read the F&S newsletter for more project highlights and updates.

Upcoming Events

• Title II Digital Accessibility Training: 1-2 p.m. Jan. 21. Online and BRK 416. This hybrid session helps campus leaders understand their responsibilities under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including digital accessibility requirements, institutional risk and strategies for creating an inclusive digital environment.
• The Curious Case of Accessibility Checkers: 11 a.m. to noon. Online and BRK 416. This hands-on training session introduces participants to the use of digital accessibility evaluation tools to assess and improve the accessibility of digital content.
• Employee of the Year Ceremony: 3-4:30 p.m. Jan. 29. Student Union Ballroom. Come and celebrate our 2025 Employees of the Month and see who is announced the Employee of the Year. Register by Jan. 23.

Check the employee events calendar on Orbit for more opportunities to learn, connect and celebrate together.

Information that Bears Repeating

Commencement Dates for 2026

The 2026 UIS Commencement ceremonies will be held at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on May 9 at the Bank of Springfield Center in downtown Springfield. We’ll share which colleges are in each ceremony at a later date.

UIS Athletics Adds Women’s Flag Football and Expands Track & Field Program

Our Athletics program announced that UIS will introduce women’s flag football as a varsity sport and expand the track and field program, expanding opportunities for student-athletes.

2026 Voluntary Separation Plan

As part of the university’s NorthStar strategic visioning initiative, the University will be offering a 2026 Voluntary Separation Plan (UIS-VSP). Details regarding eligibility and the application process will be shared later this month.

University Travel

Per University policy, business-related travel must be pre-approved, and employees in travel status are expected to ensure that travel-related expenses are reasonable and necessary. Business-related international travel must be pre-approved by the Division Head via an updated International Travel Request form. Domestic travel pre-approval should now be submitted via Emburse (formerly Chrome River). Please refer to the International Travel on University Business website for more information.

Cheer on the Prairie Stars This Basketball Season

UIS employees can grab season tickets in the chairback section for just $100 and enjoy all 19 home games. This year’s season includes themed College Nights:

• CPAE: Jan. 15
• CBM: Jan. 29 & Feb. 19
• CLASS: Jan. 31

Employees with children or youth teams can bring the whole team for only $2 per ticket—contact AJ Golembiewski to set up group seating. Stay updated at UISPrairieStars.com and gear up with official Nike apparel through the online Sideline Store. Learn more about employee perks on Orbit.

Celebrating Our Star Power

Research by Deborah Anthony, professor of legal studies, earned national attention after being cited by the California Supreme Court in a 2025 decision. The ruling reversed a woman’s murder conviction and cautioned courts against relying on gender-based assumptions when assessing a parent’s criminal liability for failing to protect a child. Read more about the case on UIS Newsroom.

Michele Gribbins, associate provost for institutional research and effectiveness, has joined the UPCEA Board’s policy committee for 2026-2027. UPCEA is a leading association supporting online and professional education through research, advocacy and professional development. Read more about Michele’s work on UIS Newsroom.

Tiffany Nielson, an associate professor of counseling, received the 2025 Counselor Educator of the Year award from the Illinois Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. The award recognizes excellence in teaching and a strong commitment to preparing and supporting future counseling professionals. Read more about Tiffany’s experience and involvement on UIS Newsroom.

Pam Francis, administrative aide for library administration, has been named the December 2025 Employee of the Month. Widely admired for her kindness, compassion and generosity, Francis is known for going above and beyond to support colleagues across campus. Her nominator shared,  “She cares deeply about each person and process in the library and our campus, and it shows in the quality of her work and in her willingness and joy to assist anyone who needs it.” Read more about Pam on Orbit.

A new peer-reviewed study led by Megan Styles, associate professor of environmental studies, examines the risks facing Illinois CBD hemp farmers as a new federal law creates uncertainty for the industry.

Kyle Blount, assistant professor of ecohydrology, co-authored two research articles offering guidance for cities facing extreme heat and water challenges. One study found shade to be the most effective cooling strategy. The second highlights the need to integrate engineering, ecology, social equity and governance to meet growing urban water demands. Together, the studies outline practical pathways for building more resilient and equitable communities.

Jessica Baumberger, director of web and digital strategy, authored the opening chapter of the IGI Global volume Innovative Digital Pedagogies and Technology-Enhanced Teaching, explaining the framework of integrating artificial intelligence tools to create a more inclusive learning environment. 

Hoon Oh, Mickey Edwards and AJ Simmons of the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership (CSPL) have published a new academic article examining the impact of neighborhood socioeconomic conditions on alcohol and psychoactive drug-related vehicle crashes. This work is the result of a long-running partnership between the CSPL and the Illinois Departments of Transportation and Public Health. Their analysis is published in the Journal of Safety Research. 

Getting to Know You

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Have a great spring semester,

Janet

Janet L. Gooch, Ph.D.
Chancellor
University of Illinois Springfield

P.S. If you have a topic you’d like me to consider for my newsletter, submit your idea here. I always appreciate the opportunity to showcase your news, events and accomplishments. Highlighting the outstanding work happening across our campus community allows us to celebrate your achievements, promote engagement and share the many ways UIS continues to make a positive impact.