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affirming the aspirations, energy and diversity of our students
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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
Scholarships | Jenetta Thomas
Already a nurse, online student Jenetta Thomas enrolled in the UIS Master's of Public Health program in 2014 to become a public health educator in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. In Spring 2018, Jenetta spent two months in the Intensive Care Unit with her gravely ill daughter. “I actually submitted paperwork with my advisor to put my degree on hold because of the stress and not knowing if I could afford it.” Jenetta says, “One week later, I learned I had received the Evelyn Zimmerman Scholarship in Public Health. I can honestly say I would not have been able to continue without it.”
Jenetta will graduate in December 2019 after finishing her Public Health Internship. She now works as Nurse Coordinator for children with special needs and medical handicaps and also teaches classes through the Hamilton County (Ohio) Department of Public Health focusing on safe sleep and reproductive life planning.
Scholarships…Because they affirm the aspirations, energy and diversity of our students
The Public Good
The Public Good | Illinois Issues Forum
NPR Illinois serves the Public Good throughout Illinois. Last year, NPR Illinois toured the state to hear how the two-year state budget impasse affected communities in Illinois. This year, they continue to travel throughout Illinois, featuring an expert panel and seeking solutions to the continuing fiscal problems in Illinois and discussing prominent issues 2018 election. A recent forum, moderated by Sean Crawford, took place in Naperville, Illinois. Experts Judith Brodhead, Dr. Stephen Maynard Caliendo and Colin Dalough discussed how economic success and state policy are affecting the development of collar counties. Learn more about the experts and watch the Naperville forum, and stay tuned to learn about the next Illinois Issues Forum. The Illinois Issues Forum is produced and hosted by NPR Illinois with support provided by AARP Illinois.
UIS serves the Public Good…because we are all part of this journey together.
Center for Lincoln Studies
Meeting with Local Lincoln Leaders
One of the goals of the Center for Lincoln Studies at UIS is to enhance public education about Lincoln’s life and legacy. With that in mind, during this early phase for the Center, UIS academic and administrative leaders have been meeting with representatives from local organizations with a Lincoln interest to share plans, discuss ideas with local Lincoln leaders and lay the groundwork for future collaboration. The Center is sure to benefit from the interest and involvement of these renowned Lincoln leaders in Springfield.
Because Lincoln still instructs, inspires and elevates all of us
Academic Excellence
Academic Excellence | MBA students shine
Congratulations to UIS MBA students Ajey Kulkarni, Paul Lutinen and Keith Tanner, who scored in the top 10% of graduate business students nationally on the Educational Testing Service’s (ETS) Major Field Test. More than 3,000 higher education programs use the test to assess students’ knowledge in specific disciplines. Most of the questions require specific knowledge of marketing, management, finance and managerial accounting. Half the questions are based on case-studies.
Tanner, Lutinen and Kulkarni, pictured at right with Dr. Jorge Villegas, take their courses at the UIS Peoria Center. Kulkarni works at Caterpillar, Inc.; Lutinen at Atlas Supply Company; and Tanner at AQS/SCSI, LLC.
UIS – Academic Excellence that Empowers the Future
Scholarships
Bekha Scott | Driven to Serve
At age 13, UIS alum Bekha Scott was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis (NF2) which caused tumors to grow on her nerves. Despite physical problems, Bekha always contended that she was not disabled. “I just have a body that doesn’t work,” she said.
According to her mother, Jennifer Williams, Bekha’s time at UIS “was an amazing experience for her.” Because of her strong commitment to helping others, Bekha served as president of the UIS Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity at UIS, and in 2013 received the Distinguished Service Key. She graduated with BS in social work in 2014.
In 2016, when she was 25, Bekha passed away. In honor of Bekha’s indomitable spirit, her family established the Rebekha Scott Servant Leaders Scholarship at UIS in 2018. “Honestly,” her mother says, “it’s just something Bekha would do. That’s why we did it.”