11.10.25
Happy Monday,
Thank you to everyone who attended SECA Bingo. Together, we raised $1,116 for Compass for Kids, a record-breaking total that reflect your generosity.
Continuing that spirit of connection and impact, I invite you to join me for the December Thinkers Series featuring Mylas Copeland, a respected community leader and beacon in Springfield’s civic life. From 5 to 6:15 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Student Union Ballroom, we’ll explore what it means to give back, build bridges across differences and invest in the people and partnerships that strengthen our shared future. The program is free and open to the public, with refreshments to follow. More information on Orbit.
The Chancellor’s Thinkers Series is designed to spark curiosity, stretch thinking, challenge perspectives and foster intentional dialogue across our campus and the Springfield community.
New Information
UIS University Experience Survey
Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to complete the UIS University Experience Survey by Nov. 21. Please remind students, if you have the opportunity. The survey is sent from SoundRocket, our contracted survey research firm, and the anonymous information collected will provide valuable insights to help improve the university experience. Learn more on the University Experience Survey webpage.
Spirit Week: Nov. 10 - 18
Please join in Spirit Week this week as we build up to the first home basketball game at 7 p.m. on Nov. 18! The spirit days are as follows:
- 11/10: Neon Monday
- 11/11: Twin Tuesday
- 11/12: Jersey Wednesday
- 11/13: Pajama Thursday
- 11/14: Flashback Friday
- 11/17: Beach Monday
- 11/18: Spirit Day
- Seniors/Graduate Students - white
- Juniors - blue
- Sophomores - black
- Freshman - gold
- Employees - UIS Pride
Labor Relations Updates
For updates on current negotiations with the university’s employee unions, please visit the UIS Bargaining website. The university has been negotiating with the UPI Local 4100 Tenured/Tenure Track Faculty Union since July, and with UPI Clerical, Service and Technical civil service staff since May. The University remains committed to working with all unions to come to a fair and fiscally responsible agreement.
Save the Date: RISE Professional Development Retreat, Feb. 6
Mark your calendars for the annual RISE Professional Development Retreat on Feb. 6 — a day dedicated to connection, growth and inspiration for UIS employees.
Winter Accelerated Courses
Winter intersession classes begin Dec. 15. These five-week accelerated classes provide flexibility for students working toward completion of a UIS program. Courses are available in computer science, English, psychology and more. Registration is open through Dec. 14.
“This I Believe” Illinois Program Empowers Student Voices
NPR Illinois recently hosted the This I Believe Illinois essay program on Nov. 6 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The program invites Illinois high school seniors to share personal essays about the values and beliefs that shape their lives. The essays are broadcast in the students’ own voices on NPR Illinois and printed in the Illinois Times. UIS provided each selected essayist with a copy of the This I Believe book to celebrate their achievement.
Department Newsletters
In the COLRS Catch Up for October, you will learn how Dr. Jennifer Martin, associate professor in the School of Education, implements journaling in her online courses; changes to the AI detector on Copyleaks; Canvas updates and upcoming workshops.
The Academic Affairs November Newsletter is packed with updates on major academic initiatives, faculty development opportunities, and new resources to support teaching and learning. Take a moment to explore what’s happening across Academic Affairs.
The Human Resource November Newsletter includes upcoming dates for de-escalation training, year-end deadlines, required cybersecurity training and the holiday party.
Upcoming Events
- Veterans Day Flag Raising: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Nov. 11. Student Union. To commemorate Veterans Day, UIS will conduct a Veterans Day Flag Raising. The event will begin with a brief meet and greet and light refreshments.
- The Curious Case of Accessibility Checkers: 11 a.m. to noon. Nov. 12. Zoom and BRK 416. Learn to identify common accessibility barriers and interpret automated test results with digital accessibility evaluation tools in this hands-on training session.
- Colonnade Lighting: 5-6:30 p.m. Nov. 14. Colonnade. Celebrate the season with free food, drinks and community spirit at this annual event.
- Fulbright Visiting Scholar: Dr. Wasim Sajjad:
- Fulbright Program-focused Event: “Paths to Fulbright: Research, Exchange, and Impact”: 2-3 p.m. Nov. 17. Student Union North Ballroom
- Public Lecture: “Antimicrobial Resistance: A Global Health Challenge and America’s Shared Responsibility”: 4-5:30 p.m. Nov. 17. Student Union North Ballroom.
- Hands-on Workshop: “Scenario-Based Risk Assessment in Laboratory and Public Health Settings”: 1-4 p.m. Nov. 18. Student Union Center Ballroom.
- Seminar Discussion: “Mirror Biology and Centralized Biosecurity Reporting": Bridging Global Asymmetries in Science”: 9-10:15 a.m. Nov. 19. HSB 151.
- Fall 2025 ECCE Speaker Series: Water-Energy Sustainability Across Scales: Systems, Society, Self: 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 19. Brookens Auditorium. Ashlynn Stillwell, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at UIUC, will discuss her work on sustainable water and energy systems, from infrastructure transformations to individual behavior.
- Active Threat Preparedness Training: 4:45-5:45 p.m. on Nov. 20 and 9-10 a.m. on Nov. 21. Brookens Auditorium.The UIS Police Department is offering new active threat preparedness training this fall to help employees stay safe during critical incidents, covering how to minimize risk, respond effectively and understand campus emergency communications. Employees are encouraged to attend and bring questions.
Check the employee events calendar on Orbit for more opportunities to learn, connect and celebrate together.
Information that Bears Repeating
SECA Campaign Giving Opportunities
The SECA campaign ends Nov. 12, and there’s still time to make a difference. Visit the SECA website to explore the many organizations you can support and help create positive change in our community. Thank you to everyone who’s already contributed!
Campus Services to Sunset
As part of our NorthStar initiative, the Campus Services unit (graphic design, mail, central stores/receiving, printing) will be phased out over the next few months. Clients will be contacted to plan projects through December. Please go to Orbit to learn more.
“Meet a Star” Social Media Series
Do you or a colleague have an interesting hobby outside of work? Media Strategy is seeking faculty and staff for the “Meet a Star” series, spotlighting the unique things UIS employees do off the clock. Learn more on Orbit.
New academic offerings in legal studies and public leadership
The Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies now includes new transfer pathways designed to support students interested in paralegal preparation, and a new Public Leadership minor is being launched for all undergraduate majors. Read more at the UIS Newsroom.
Celebrating Our Star Power
A new study from the College of Health, Science and Technology suggests that a common diabetes medication may help protect blood vessels and support overall heart health. The study was co-authored by Natalya Zinkevich, assistant professor of biology; Franki Miller, a 2024 UIS biology graduate and current Master of Public Health student; and Abisola “Mercy” Olowofeso, a second-year Master of Public Health student. Their research was published in Cardiovascular Science.
Congratulations to Clay Stalter, senior photographer for the office of marketing and brand strategy, for winning third place in the portraits category of the University Photographer’ Association of America October Image Competition. His award-winning photo features Associate Professor Brandon Derman, who was named University Scholar for 2025.
Jacob Friefeld, director of the UIS Center for Lincoln Studies, was appointed by Governor JB Pritzker as chair of the Illinois State Historic Preservation Board. The Board, under the Department of Natural Resources, is responsible for listing, delisting and changing the listing designation of State Historic Sites as well as other duties.
Getting to Know You
Kyle Blount, assistant professor in the School of Integrated Sciences, Sustainability and Public Health, studies how water moves through the environment and interacts with plants, ecosystems and people. This past year, they received their first NSF grant to research how irrigation affects water movement and helps mitigate extreme heat.
Outside of work, Kyle loves to travel. Last summer, they went to Germany and Alaska. Their next destination is Hokkaido, Japan, which they have wanted to go to ever since reading the book, For the Love of Rivers by Kurt Fausch. Read more about Kyle on Orbit.
Happy Fall!
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.