The University of Illinois Springfield shaped the way I approach complex problems as a consultant. The Master of Science in Management Information Systems program challenged me to think strategically, solve difficult problems, and approach every opportunity with curiosity and confidence. My capstone project stands out as the defining experience of my time at UIS. Spending months tackling an open-ended business problem taught me how to navigate ambiguity, defend my recommendations, and stay focused when the path forward wasn’t immediately clear.

The MIS program at UIS was more than a degree-it was a turning point. The coursework delivered a rigorous, well-structured, and practical education that perfectly balanced technical skills with a clear understanding of how information systems support real organizational goals. The faculty were knowledgeable, accessible, and genuinely invested in student success. They believed in me, challenged me, and reminded me that growth happens when you stay curious.

The Master of Accountancy program at UIS provided a supportive and personalized learning environment that helped me grow both academically and professionally. Smaller class sizes allowed for meaningful interactions with professors, who were invested in student success. I appreciated the opportunity to serve as a graduate assistant, which further developed my leadership skills as I started my career in public accounting.

Earning my Master of Science in Finance from the University of Illinois Springfield has been an important step in my professional growth. The program strengthened my understanding of financial markets, investments, and risk management while helping me develop the analytical skills needed to succeed in highly regulated financial environments.

I graduated from the University of Illinois Springfield in 2007, and I did not yet know what I had been given. Almost twenty years later, I am the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Veeam, and I can still trace a lot of what I leverage back to a classroom in Springfield. The accounting was real. The forensic training was real: the discipline to follow a number until it revealed what everyone else missed. The real gift was learning to see the people behind the numbers, the risk they were carrying, the story they were not saying out loud. Most leaders read an organization by its roadmap.

My journey into public health began with my clinical training as a dentist and medical officer in India. Wanting to move beyond treating individual patients and address health challenges at the population level, I pursued an MPH in Environmental Health and a Certificate in Epidemiology at the University of Illinois Springfield. UIS provided me with a strong foundation in epidemiology, biostatistics, program evaluation, environmental health, and public policy. More importantly, the program connected classroom learning with meaningful, real-world public service opportunities.

Kelsey Hall earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois Springfield in 2021. She went on to physician assistant school, spending two years preparing for her career in medicine. She has been practicing as a physician assistant in dermatology for three years, helping patients across Illinois. 

Now that our first UIS Library Reading Challenge is officially over, let’s look at
some of our top stats of the semester. If you’re still looking for something to read
for the summer, we have some great book recommendations for you.

Reading Challenge Stats:

Christopher Stevens earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Illinois Springfield in 2021 after transferring from the University of Iowa. He stayed at UIS to earn his Master of Arts in Human Development Counseling in 2023.  

Today, he works as a mental health counselor in Charlotte, North Carolina, helping people work through challenges and improve their well-being. 

Two months down! We’re up past two hundred submissions, and we have some new
recommendations from our participants if you are running thin on ideas. Here are some of the
books that were submitted in the past month.