Reaching Stellar seeks to raise support for the students, faculty and staff at UIS; for the programs that elevate education; and for the communities where students and graduates serve. The campaign concludes in 2022.
As of April 24, 2021, the Reaching Stellar campaign had raised $39,010,339, or 97.5% of the $40 million goal.
campaign priorities
affirming the aspirations, energy and diversity of our students
learning that empowers the future
to instruct, inspire and elevate all of us
engagement. collaboration. impact.
building tomorrow's university today
the gift of impact
The future is full of possibilities. With your support, we can propel the University and today’s students to new heights and continue to impact the generations to come.
Scholarships
Hailey Hollinshead | All In for Science
Hailey Hollinshead’s passion for science and medical research has grown at the University of Illinois Springfield. She happily admits to being one of those rare people who love chemistry.
She says: "Women becoming a larger part of the scientific profession? Count me in. Becoming part of academic conversations where discoveries change the world overnight? That sounds exhilarating. Making a difference while immersing myself in work that I love? I'm all in."
She plans to attend medical school following graduation and become a dermatologist.
This past year, Hailey was the recipient of the William and Mary Schnirring Liberal Arts and Sciences Scholarship and was honored with the Student Laureate Award from the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.
Scholarships are a Reaching Stellar priority…
Because scholarships affirm the aspirations, energy and diversity of our student body.
The Public Good
Elise Simmons | Meeting A Need for Illinois
Providing teachers for Illinois has suddenly become a lot more important. According to a report released by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools,* 85% of Illinois districts report some level of teacher shortage and 19% said they have had to cut programs or classes because of the shortage.
Elise Simmons, who is majoring in elementary education, will help to meet this need. In addition to her time with excellent UIS professors, Elise also furthers her preparation for teaching by working as an AVID tutor in a local middle school (AVID prepares students for college) and as a 5th-grade teacher's assistant at Butler Elementary School. She also volunteers with Generation Healthy Kids, a program that teaches kids about healthy cooking and the importance of physical activity. So she is contributing to the Public Good now and will in the future as well. Read her story here.
The Public Good is a Reaching Stellar priority….
Because we are all on this journey together.
*Illinois Educator Teacher Shortage Crisis 2018 (Version 2019.2), https://iarss.org/wp-content/uploads/IllinoisEducatorShortage_IARSS_FY19.pdf.
Academic Excellence
Payton Raso and the "Jailhouse Snitch Bill"
Payton Raso majored in Political Science and History at UIS. During his time working with the Illinois Innocence Project, Payton played an active role in the passage of Senate Bill 1830 regarding the testimony of jailhouse informants. It is considered the strongest bills of its kind in the United States.
Payton graduated from UIS magna cum laude in May 2019. He will be attending the University of Iowa Law School in the fall. For now, he's keeping his future options open but whatever he does in his career, his education was immeasurably enhanced by his experience with the Illinois Innocence Project and his perspective on the criminal justice has been forever changed. Read his story here.
Academic Excellence is a Reaching Stellar priority…
Because learning empowers the future.
UIS Center for Lincoln Studies
The UIS Center for Lincoln Studies
The UIS Center for Lincoln Studies will be announced during the next academic year, but plans are progressing nicely. In April, at the annual Celebration of Philanthropy on April 17, 2019, Chancellor Susan J. Koch made this announcement:
"Just this past week, thanks in part to UI System President Tim Killeen’s Distinguished Faculty Hiring initiative, we sealed the deal to hire our second renowned Lincoln Scholar. He will join Dr. Michael Burlingame in the Department of History this Fall as we move toward the formal announcement of the new UIS Center for Lincoln Studies."
Stay tuned for further updates about this important addition to the Center!
The UIS Center for Lincoln Studies is a Reaching Stellar Campaign priority…
Because Lincoln still instructs, inspires and elevates all of us.
Facilities and Technology
Another Stellar Year for Baseball
The UIS Prairie Stars athletes are having another amazing season in baseball. The men's overall record is 33-11-1, and as of April 30, 2019, they have a 13-game winning streak.
Thanks to generous donors, the UIS Baseball Field also looks good. The field has undergone extreme renovations over the past years to become what it is today. Most recently, the field turf was installed, giving UIS one of the premier playing surfaces in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The scoreboard was sponsored by the Bank of Springfield.
The future for the field is even brighter, with more enhancements coming, such as power, a press box, restrooms, concessions, locker rooms and coaches' offices. For information on how you can support these enhancements, please contact Roy Brown, Deputy Athletics Director.
Go Prairie Stars!
Facilities & Technology are a Reaching Stellar Campaign priority…
Because we are building tomorrow's University today.