As we step into 2025, it’s a becoming time to mirror on the
strides the College of Illinois Springfield made in 2024. The previous 12 months was
marked by innovation, neighborhood engagement and milestones which have positioned
UIS as a frontrunner in schooling and repair. These achievements mirror our
mission to offer a uniquely student-centered instructional expertise each in
and out of the classroom.
Innovation in studying and analysis
UIS is a hub for creativity, problem-solving and
entrepreneurship. In 2024, Innovate Springfield, our enterprise incubator, led
a number of initiatives that empowered college students and the neighborhood. TechX, a excessive
faculty robotics and engineering program, taught 45 college students tips on how to design,
manufacture and code. Greater than 40 highschool college students additionally participated in
the Sangamon CEO program, an entrepreneurship class that teaches them tips on how to
launch companies. Innovate Springfield additionally hosts common enterprise startup pitch
competitions. In October, a staff of UIS college students earned $10,000 in seed
funding. These efforts showcase the incubator’s position in fostering modern
pondering and supporting the following era of entrepreneurs.
UIS additionally redefined studying areas in trendy and
non-traditional methods. For instance, English college students explored online game
narratives as literature within the UIS Esports Enviornment, exhibiting how schooling can
evolve to interact at this time’s learners.
In analysis, our partnership with the SIU Faculty of Medication
addressed essential questions on most cancers, exploring how cells collaborate to
facilitate its unfold. UIS continues to show how increased schooling can
result in options for real-world challenges.
Strengthening neighborhood connections
In 2024, UIS deepened its dedication to assembly the
workforce wants of central Illinois. Because of a donation from Memorial Well being,
we launched two Anatomage tables to our lecture rooms, giving college students
interactive, high-tech instruments to check human anatomy.
We additionally tackled instructor and lab specialist shortages by
launching new applications. A $145,000 Develop Your Personal Lecturers grant allowed us to
kind a consortium to fight the instructor scarcity, whereas 4 new medical
laboratory science certificates are serving to to arrange college students for essential
healthcare roles.
And as they do annually, our college students collected greater than
9,000 kilos of meals in the course of the annual Trick-or-Deal with for Canned Items occasion,
supporting native households and reinforcing the significance of neighborhood service.
Making a vibrant pupil expertise
At UIS, we prioritize fostering a way of belonging. In
2024, we launched a brand new, participating First-Yr Scholar Convocation to welcome new
college students to the college in a extra significant approach. The occasion introduced the total
campus collectively and was adopted by an out of doors celebration with meals vehicles,
music and leisure.
Moreover, Graduation returned to campus. Held within the
UIS Performing Arts Heart’s Sangamon Auditorium, the ceremonies celebrated the
starting of a brand new chapter for our 1,051 graduates whereas offering
alternatives for households and different family members to see our lovely campus in
full show.
Excellence in athletics and lecturers
Our student-athletes achieved exceptional success in 2024,
with 12 of our 15 groups competing in convention championships or tournaments.
Highlights included girls’s basketball incomes its first victory over the
nationally ranked Drury Panthers and ladies’s golfer Elaine Grant competing at
the nationwide stage.
Moreover, UIS hosted the Nice Lakes Valley Convention Cross
Nation and Volleyball championships, drawing athletes and followers to the realm and
boosting the native financial system.
Recognitions and developments
For the sixth consecutive 12 months, UIS was named the highest public
regional college in Illinois by U.S. Information & World Report. The 2025
rankings additionally positioned UIS because the seventh-best public regional college within the
Midwest.
UIS can also be embracing synthetic intelligence, with a number of
initiatives underneath approach, together with an AI Campus Studying Group, new eLearning
Programs, and a prototype AI Liberal Arts Lab. Final spring, UIS introduced it’s
a part of a $25,000 Nationwide Endowment for the Humanities grant exploring the
position of AI in increased schooling.
Celebrating collectively
In 2024, UIS hosted occasions that introduced the neighborhood
collectively. A watch get together for an almost whole eclipse in April drew lots of to
campus, providing a second of awe and connection. In the meantime, the UIS Sangamon
Expertise premiered “Soil & Soul: Farming within the Sangamon River Valley,” a
documentary and exhibit celebrating the farmers who maintain our area. The
exhibit is at present on show on the decrease stage of the Public Affairs
Heart.
Final fall, underneath the theme “Legacy Ignited,” Homecoming 2024
united alumni, college students, college and employees in a celebration of UIS delight. These
occasions demonstrated the ability of coming collectively to mirror on our shared previous
and look forward to a brilliant future.
Trying Ahead
As we start 2025, I’m stuffed with gratitude for the
college, employees and college students whose arduous work made these achievements doable.
UIS is a spot the place innovation thrives, communities are strengthened and
futures are constructed. Collectively, we’ll proceed to advance our mission and create
new alternatives for achievement.
Right here’s to a different 12 months of progress, collaboration and
excellence.
Janet L. Gooch, Ph.D., is the chancellor of the
College of Illinois Springfield.
