Academic Affairs

Dear Faculty and Staff —

This week had notable recognitions occur: three UIS professors were selected for the COPLAC Beard Leadership program – Associate Professor Shipra Gupta, CBM; Tih-Fen Ting, Associate Professor, CHST; and Associate Professor Magic Wade, CPAE. These colleagues will participate in a series of virtual leadership workshops this Spring followed by an intensive in-person event.

Three University of Illinois Springfield faculty have been accepted into the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) Beard Leadership Circle to foster strong leadership connections among peers and help faculty progress in their professional goals.

Dear Faculty and Staff —

Dear Faculty and Staff —

On February 16, at halftime of the men’s basketball game, student-athletes who have achieved a 3.4 or higher GPA will be recognized and honored. The seniors in this group will be escorted by a faculty member who has been influential at UIS.  It would be wonderful if faculty members could be in attendance to witness this student-athlete recognition. Game time is 7:30 pm Thursday.

Dear Faculty and Staff —

Dear Faculty and Staff —

The Chancellor’s Cabinet meeting discussed the university’s approach to fall convocation, future plans for commencement, and a faculty colleague’s request that the university could apply for the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s classification as a university for “Leadership for Public Purpose.”  After discussion, the Chancellor invited colleagues to send ideas to her about such a classification, which could enhance the designated and known character of this University.

Dear Faculty and Staff —

This week began with the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy at the Wyndham Springfield City Centre with an enthusiastic group of citizens. The featured speaker was Dr. Gerald McWorter (introduced by Chancellor Gooch) who spoke about the man, the movement, and the mission associated with King’s life and legacy.

Dear Faculty and Staff —

Welcome back to this Spring semester! This is the first of weekly reports to the university primarily intended for Academic Affairs but certainly available for other colleagues if so interested. First, I express my gratitude to all who have welcomed me to this beautiful, impressive campus. I especially want to thank Monica Kroft, Ann Comerford, Vickie Cook, and Kelly Walraven, who have provided wise counsel and services beyond the call of their regular duties.

Linda M. Delene has been named interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Illinois Springfield. She will begin her role on Monday, Jan. 9, with the U of I Board of Trustees expected to complete the formal approval process at its Jan. 26 meeting.

Delene is a seasoned administrator in higher education with extensive experience at the provost level. In the past five years, she served as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at SUNY Brockport and Belmont Abbey College.