To faculty and staff across the University of Illinois System:

We are delighted to announce that we will once again be granting three gift days to employees eligible for leave benefits in the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year. These gift days will be Wednesday, Dec. 24; Tuesday, Dec. 30; and Wednesday, Dec. 31.

Have an idea for a UIS Homecoming event? Submit your idea on UIS Connection. Homecoming is set for Sept. 14–20. This year’s theme is “Written in the Stars”—a celebration of Prairie Star pride, connection, and possibility.

Congratulations to the following faculty members who will speak this year at the Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress. SRI is an annual global event focused on action-oriented, knowledge-based and inclusive approaches to sustainability

Priyanka Deo is an instructor in the School of Communications and Media and director for Student Media.

Can you give a brief timeline of how your career led you to UIS?

My journey to the University of Illinois Springfield began as an undergraduate, studying political science and sociology/anthropology. I also was a CAP Honors student, received a varsity tennis scholarship and served as captain of the women’s varsity tennis team during my senior year.

Good morning, all:

We are partnering with ITS to offer several Course Survey report demo sessions to highlight the enhanced reporting functionality of the recently-launched Course Survey App. Instructors will have on-demand access to a variety of reports for your courses (once data is available for Spring 25), including filters by course level, semester, part-of-term, and modality (online, classroom, blended).

We hope you will be available to participate in one of the three sessions:

Dear Faculty and Staff:

The communication below was just sent to all graduates participating in the upcoming commencement ceremonies. 

To the University of Illinois System community:

Across the University of Illinois System, our promise to offer an excellent education includes providing an environment rich with opportunities for global engagement, cross-cultural understanding, and a diverse community from which to learn. Our international students, faculty, and staff are integral to this environment and bring unique perspectives, talents, and experiences that enrich campus life.

Faculty members and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for and promote the Faculty Entrepreneurial Leadership Program (FELP).

Ray Rodriguez, MPH, NBC-HWC, started as the Senior Director of Access and Equity and as the Title IX Coordinator for UIS on Monday, March 31, 2025.

Rodriguez brings nearly four decades of leadership experience in higher education, specializing in diversity, equity, reproductive health, violence prevention, ethics, inclusion and federal compliance.  

The UIS Observer needs your help with the 2025 Best of UIS and Beyond Contest! Voting for your favorite finalists will take place