The following column was written by Betsy Goulet and Amy Wheeler. It was published by The State Journal-Register on Nov. 17.
"A child protection investigator and detective approach the front door of a small house with limited information on the situation they are about to face. This multidisciplinary team is responding to a report that a young child is at risk of harm. However, on this particular occasion, the family members that the team will encounter are actors and the small house is actually the University of Illinois Springfield’s Residential Simulation Lab.
UIS awarded federal grant to develop tolerance, diversity, and anti-bias training for law enforcement
The following story was reported by WICS-TV 20 on Nov. 9, 2023.
"The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) Alliance for Experiential Problem-Based Learning has been awarded a $699,190 federal grant to develop tolerance, diversity, and anti-bias training for law enforcement.
The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) with support from U.S. Senator Dick Durbin."
UIS students placing ribbons to pay tribute to Veterans
The following story was reported by WCIA-TV on Nov. 2, 2023.
"As part of an annual tradition, students at the University of Illinois Springfield will be placing yellow ribbons on campus trees to honor Veterans.
The tradition began in 2012 when a UIS student started tying yellow ribbons on trees campus-wide to celebrate Veterans. The UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center took it from there, and continue to rally student volunteers around Veterans Day to tie hundreds of ribbons."
UIS celebrates a year of achievement in enrollment, innovation, and facility projects
The following column was written by UIS Chancellor Janet Gooch. The State Journal-Register published it on Dec. 28, 2023.
"There’s an ancient proverb associated with the Native American Hopi Tribe, known to be one of the oldest living cultures in history, that captures the power of collaboration in the simplest of terms:
'One finger cannot lift a pebble.'
Harnessing AI Tools to Improve Academic Integrity
The following story was published by Evollution.com on Oct. 24, 2023. It was written by Layne Morsch, UIS interim associate provost of online, professional and engaged learning; Michele Gribbins, director of the UIS Center for Online Learning, Research and Service; and Emily Boles, eLearning specialist.
UIS Performing Arts Center certified Sensory Inclusive venue
The following story was published by WICS-TV 20 on Oct. 23, 2023.
"KultureCity has partnered with the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) Performing Arts Center to make this location and all its programs and events Sensory Inclusive.
This new initiative will promote an accommodating and positive experience for all guests with a sensory issue, no matter their age or ability.
The following story was reported by WCIA-TV 3 on Oct. 13, 2023.
"The University of Illinois Springfield is getting federal dollars to attract students to the university and keep them there.
The university announced on Thursday that, with the support of Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, it had received a $2.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education through its Strengthening Institutions Program. The grant will allow UIS to implement more high-impact practices (HIPs) to attract and retain students."
Explore UIS tuition help options in the recently launched Financial Aid 101 video series
The following guest column written by UIS Director of Financial Assistance Laci Englbrecht was published by The State Journal-Register on Oct. 6, 2023.
"The University of Illinois Springfield recognizes the importance of making a college education accessible and affordable to all of our students. As the financial aid director at UIS, I am committed to helping educate students and parents about the resources that are available to support their educational journey.
UIS announces Prairie Promise to cover cost of tuition, fees for first-time, first-year undergrad students
The following story was broadcast by WAND-TV on Oct. 4, 2023.
"The University of Illinois Springfield is launching the Prairie Promise, a new four-year financial aid program for Illinois residents that will fully cover the cost of tuition and fees for first-time, first-year undergraduate students enrolled full time in on-campus degree programs starting in Fall 2024.
The Prairie Promise will use MAP grant awards, UIS scholarships and awards and AIM HIGH grant funds to cover the cost of tuition and fees.
Illinois Innocence Project raises awareness on Wrongful Conviction Day
The following story was broadcast by WAND-TV on Oct. 2, 2023.
"Monday is National Wrongful Conviction Day and the Illinois Innocence Project hosted an initiative at the University of Illinois Springfield.
Interns and student volunteers placed 3,348 flags at the UIS Quad, which represent the number of wrongfully convicted people who have been exonerated since 1989. 514 of those flags specifically represent Illinoisans who have been exonerated in that time.

