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The Promising Prairie Star Recognition Program honors outstanding graduates under the age of forty or those who have graduated within the previous 5 years. Honorees are selected for their emerging and unique innovation, creativity and success in their chosen career and/or life's work. Established by the UIS Young Alumni Committee in 2024, the next class of honorees will be selected and recognized in the Spring of 2026.
Nominations are now open for the inaugural class through December 15th.
Hometown/Current Location: Bloomington, IL
Current Location: Williamsville, IL
Hometown: Arenzville, IL
What was your overall UIS experience like?
I attended UIS as a graduate student from 2001-2004, while also teaching full time at Athens Middle School.
Do you have any fond memories of your time at UIS you'd like to share?
During my time at UIS, I was able to form great relationships with my professors and fellow classmates.
Current Location/Hometown: Griggsville, IL
What do you like about your job?
What I love most about my job is meeting UIS alumni and friends, hearing about their time at Sangamon State or UIS, learning about their careers and discovering their passions. It’s rewarding to connect those passions to the university’s and colleges’ priorities and show how their philanthropic support can make a real difference. Watching someone see the impact of their gift firsthand is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
Dear Faculty and Staff,
I am thrilled to share the official results from last year’s Faculty and Staff Campaign. Thank you to thank for making it one for the record books!
Thanks to your generosity and spirit, we achieved a record-breaking 55.04% participation rate—the highest in campaign history! Together, we raised $244,939 from 426 employee donors, supporting 111 programs, scholarships, and initiatives that make UIS such a special place to learn, work, and grow.
Lunch & Learn - Saving Grace: Rebirth of a Church into a Performing Arts Education Facility
The former site of the Elliott Avenue Baptist Church, one of the finer examples of mid-century modern architecture in Springfield, has been reborn as the Grant Conservatory for Music and Dance, an inspiring, safe place for young artists to learn, experiment and grow. With ingenuity, planning and hard work, the former sanctuary, church offices and other areas have been transformed into a unique and exceptional performance space with practice rooms, office space and more.
Official UIS News
Explore timely topics at UIS’ Fall Lunch & Learn Series
The University of Illinois Springfield will host four Lunch & Learn Series events this fall, presented by the UIS Alumni SAGE Society and the Illinois State Historical Society.
Current Location: Galesburg, IL
Hometown: Roseville, IL
What was your overall UIS experience like?
I had a great experience at UIS. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to learn both Human Development Counseling as well as Marriage and Family Therapy. While there, I was able to work in the mental health field to obtain real world experience as well.
UIS Launches Professionals Network to Engage Alumni and Community Leaders
The UIS Professionals Network is a vibrant membership organization committed to supporting professional