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6.8.26
Dear UIS Community:
The UIS Update newsletter will now be issued by the Department of Strategic Communication. The newsletter will move to a monthly schedule for June and July and resume its biweekly schedule beginning in August. Faculty and staff are encouraged to check Orbit regularly for the most current university information.
New Information
Public Affairs Center is Open
The Public Affairs Center (PAC) resumed normal activities on June 8. Learn more on Orbit.
Presidential Search Town Hall
The Search Committee to Assist in the Selection of a President is hosting a series of town halls, one at each university, to help inform the search for the next president. The UIS town hall is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon June 17 in Brookens Auditorium. No registration is required. All venues are ADA accessible; for accommodations, contact erhr@uillinois.edu in advance. For more information, visit the Presidential Search webpage.
Wildlife Reminder
Spotting a fawn around this time on campus is not uncommon. Please do not approach them - they are fine and do not need assistance. The mother is typically nearby, searching for food and will return soon.
New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
In partnership with Springfield’s City Water, Light and Power (CWLP), UIS has added four electric vehicle charging ports in Lot I North near TRAC. Each station features a 240-volt Level 2 charger, providing approximately 25–35 miles of driving range per hour of charging. Charging rates are set by CWLP, which also owns and maintains the stations at no cost to the university. Read more on UIS Newsroom.
Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Dr. Steven Johnson Jr. will be named Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (Designate), effective June 16, 2026, following the departure of Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dr. Jamarco Clark. Dr. Johnson will build on the strong momentum Student Affairs has established in fostering student belonging, engagement, wellness and success, while strengthening partnerships across the university community. His leadership, collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment to student success have earned the trust and respect of colleagues across campus, positioning him well to continue advancing the division’s mission and impact. Learn more on Orbit.
UIS Service Trip to Guatemala
Five UIS students went on a service trip to Guatemala. With three UIS staff members, they partnered with ImagininGuatemala to build a home for a family in the village of Pastores. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dr. Jamarco Clark said the experience gave students the opportunity to see the impact of service firsthand. Read more about the students’ experiences on UIS Newsroom.
Innovate Springfield and SIU School of Medicine Partnership
Innovate Springfield and the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine have entered into a 10-year partnership to expand access to specialized research and innovation space in Springfield. By sharing facilities that support biomedical, biochemical and chemical research, the institutions aim to foster innovation, accelerate discovery and strengthen opportunities for entrepreneurship and public service. Both organizations see the collaboration as a model for how universities can work together to drive meaningful impact. Read more on UIS Newsroom.
Department Newsletters
The Human Resources June Newsletter is now available.
Upcoming Events
- Refresh, Reset, Reorganize: A Summer Digital Wellness: 9:30-10 a.m. Every Tuesday through July 31. UHB 2028 or online. Join Information Technology Services for a 30‑minute workshop series designed to help you clean up your digital spaces, streamline your technology habits and make room for what matters most. Check Orbit for the full series calendar.
- Free-ish: Juneteenth and the Long Legacy of 1619: 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 15. Union Theater at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and creator of The1619 Project, will explore Juneteenth and the legacy of slavery in America. Register today!
Check the employee events calendar on Orbit for more opportunities to learn, connect and celebrate together.
Information that Bears Repeating
Campus Announcements Ended May 29
Campus Announcements ended on Friday, May 29. To learn more about receiving support with communicating campus updates, visit Orbit.
UHB Environmental Controls Project
In tandem with the classroom lighting upgrade project in UHB, UIS electricians have begun upgrading the building’s environmental controls. Work will primarily focus on the first through third floors. Expect to see removed ceiling tiles, ladders, materials and other project-related equipment throughout the building. The projects are expected to continue through most of the summer. Read more on Orbit.
Protection of Minors Reminder
Departments planning to offer programs for minors should review the Protection of Minors webpage. Departments must follow the planning checklist and submit an electronic event form for approval. The event form and volunteer list should be submitted to Human Resources at least 30 days before the event. Failure to comply may result in certain personnel being unable to participate or the event being canceled. See more information on Orbit.
Campus Senate Elections
Dr. Matthew Geras, associate professor in the School of Politics and International Affairs, was elected Campus Senate chair for 2026-27, and Dr. Kristi Barnwell, professor of history, was elected vice chair. Learn more on Orbit.
Accreditation Award for Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences awarded the Medical Laboratory Science Program 10 years of continuing accreditation.
Star Power
Congratulations to Libby Price, assistant athletic director for strategic communications & operations, for being named Employee of the Month for May. Libby is noted for having exceptional organizational skills and the ability to handle many unexpected situations. Her supervisor, Mike Hermann, points out that she is the only communications professional in athletics, managing communication for all 17 teams. Learn more about Libby on Orbit.
A video produced by the Office of Electronic Media for the Illinois State Fair has earned a Silver Telly Award in the Promotional Video – Events & Experiences category. The Telly Awards honor excellence in video and television across all screens. This year’s winners include Paramount TV, TED, ABC News, Harvard Business School and others. UIS Office of Electronic Media Director Cody Pope says, “The partnership between the Illinois State Fair and UIS has been incredibly rewarding, and this video was a unique way to celebrate both the spirit of the Fair and the legacy of Route 66.” Read more on UIS Newsroom.
UIS faculty are integrating AI into coursework, research and community-focused projects, giving students hands-on experience with tools and concepts that are changing the workforce. Read on UIS Newsroom how Sunshin Lee, Shipra Gupta, Hei-Chi Chan, See Tsai Chan, Sahar Farshadkhah and Richard Funderburg are incorporating AI into their classrooms.
Getting to Know You
Michaela Schroeder, disability specialist (program coordinator) in the Office of Disability Services, finds the most rewarding part of her work is the opportunity to support students throughout their academic journey while collaborating with colleagues across campus. One of the things she values most about her role is the chance to continuously learn and grow. Michaela says, “There is always something new to explore or an opportunity to expand my knowledge every day.”
Outside of work, Michaela enjoys long walks and reading dystopian, science fiction and historical fiction novels. She is particularly fond of authors Margaret Atwood and Maya Angelou. Reflecting her interest in history, her dream travel destination is Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, one of Henry VIII’s six wives.
Learn more about Michaela on Orbit.
If you have a topic for the newsletter, submit your idea here.