UIS Interim Chancellor Karen Whitney outlines goals for university

University of Illinois Springfield Interim Chancellor Karen M. Whitney outlined her goals for the upcoming school year. Whitney summarized 10 objectives in an email she sent to students, faculty and staff on July 1, her first day as interim chancellor.

"I want to keep moving the university forward," Whitney said. "My aspiration is to advance the projects and other plans that Chancellor Koch and university leaders have put in motion, along with the goals I have presented."

Topping her list is working with the U of I System and UIS leaders, faculty, staff, students, alumni and community leaders to ensure that high quality, teaching, learning, research and service continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anti-racism and social justice is another area Whitney will focus on. She plans to work with the UIS campus community to build upon efforts to advance the university's values of integrity, civic engagement, diversity, strategic thinking and accountability through teaching, learning, research and service.

Organizational improvements and strengthening the university's budget model are also among Whitney's goals. She said these can be accomplished through working with all units of the university and the system Chief Financial Officer as they continue to identify efficiencies.

"I look forward to working and communicating with students, faculty, staff and other UIS-connected community members and alumni," Whitney added. "In everything we do, students will come first.”

Whitney highlighted working with the Provost, the Enrollment Management team, and deans to enhance student recruitment efforts, implement the Common Application platform, and increase both undergraduate and graduate student enrollments.

Other goals include finalizing college and department realignment efforts, labor union relations, advancing work within the UIS Strategic Compass, community outreach, completing the Reaching Stellar Campaign, and the university’s innovation agenda. 

You can read Whitney's email to campus and other goals here, on her UIS web page.

Whitney was named interim chancellor on June 3 by University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen. Susan Koch retired June 30 from the university after serving as chancellor for nine years.

Whitney is a nationally recognized higher education leader. She is president emerita of Clarion University in Pennsylvania and most recently served as interim chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. She has been working alongside Koch for the last three weeks.

UIS students give back to the Springfield community during the Service-A-Thon

   
University of Illinois Springfield students volunteered at nine Springfield locations during the annual Welcome Week Service-A-Thon on Friday, September 1, 2017. The event encourages students to place community first by starting the school year off in service to others.

“It’s just a great way for students to connect with their community around Springfield and meet other students on campus,” said RJ Swartz, the AmeriCorps VISTA for the UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center.

This year, the students volunteered with the Computer Banc, Contact Ministries, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach, M.E.R.C.Y Communities Inc., the Ronald McDonald House, St. John’s Breadline and the UIS Community Garden.

UIS sophomore psychology major Alexus Venegas-Rodriguez of Hoffman Estates says she volunteered before coming to UIS. Now, she wants to give back to new home.

“I just really love giving back and helping people out, so they don’t have to work as hard. It just feels good to be helping and making a difference,” said Venegas-Rodriguez.

Other students, such as freshman political science major Jennifer Viramontes of Carpentersville, also have a history of volunteer work. She helped to clean up the shores of Lake Springfield at the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois’ Camp Widjiwagan.

“We started wiping down mattresses with Clorox wipes and then we’re just clearing off the shore, getting all of the big sticks out of there, any rocks we’re throwing up higher on the shore,” she said.

Freshman Annabella Paradies of Genoa volunteered sorting medical supplies at Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach. The unused supplies will be boxed up and shipped to hospitals around the world.

“It makes me feel good about myself and I like knowing that I can help others around the world,” she said. “I feel like as a freshman it’s important to get yourself out there and help others.”

Swartz hopes students who took part in the Service-A-Thon will continue to volunteer in the community throughout the school year.

“Service is going to be a big part of your time here at UIS, so it’s a good way to start off the year for sure,” he said.

"Hired!" social media campaign highlights recent graduates with jobs

A University of Illinois Springfield social media campaign is highlighting students who graduated with a job. The "Hired!" campaign was featured on the UIS Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages in the Summer of 2017.

UIS professors use crowdfunding to support research on Hepatitis C in central Illinois homeless

Researchers at the University of Illinois Springfield are using crowdfunding for the first time to support their research. Money raised will be used to study Hepatitis C in the central Illinois homeless population.

The two professors plan to test members of the homeless populations in Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur, Peoria and Springfield to determine the number of people infected with the virus and conduct RNA genotype testing to study the transmission of the disease.

“It is our hope that timely and effective treatment of Hepatitis C in the homeless population could potentially stop further virus transmission,” said Kanwal Alvarez, UIS assistant professor of biology.

Alvarez and Josiah Alamu, UIS associate professor of public health, are leading the study along with Dr. Janak Koirala, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield. They are supported by several graduate and undergraduate students at UIS.

In order to fund their research, they must raise at least $500 with the ultimate goal of raising more than $2,000 by mid-December.

“It’s unusual to ask the public for direct help in funding our research,” said Alamu. “However, the research we are doing is very expensive. It costs almost $20 just to test one homeless person for Hepatitis C.”

Money raised through the crowdfunding effort will be used to purchase rapid testing kits and other equipment needed to conduct the research.

“There’s no question the research we are doing will benefit the central Illinois homeless population,” said Alvarez. “A majority of individuals with acute Hepatitis C don’t know they are infected and are never diagnosed, which poses a greater threat to public health.”

Hepatitis C viral infection is a serious emerging infectious disease in the United States. Homeless people who report life-time drug use– cocaine, crack, and methamphetamines—are more likely to have Hepatitis C infections.

“This type of scientific research has the potential to encourage early identification of homeless and impoverished individuals who are positive with Hepatitis C and thus refer them to seek appropriate health care,” said Alamu.

If you would like to help support Hepatitis C research in the central Illinois homeless population, you are asked to donate at http://go.uis.edu/homeless/.

For more information, please contact Kanwal Alvarez at 217/206-8567 or kalva2@uis.edu or Josiah Alamu at 217/206-8485 or jalam3@uis.edu.

UIS students collect 9,000 pounds of food for the Central Illinois Foodbank

Hundreds of University of Illinois Springfield students helped to collect 9,000 pounds of food for the Central Illinois Foodbank on Halloween night from approximately 6,800 Springfield homes.

This year, Hy-Vee on MacArthur Boulevard has pledged to match donations, making the total contribution 18,000 pounds of food.

Teams of UIS students went door-to-door in several Springfield neighborhoods collecting the canned goods. Earlier this month, the teams canvassed the neighborhoods and distributed door hangers that explained the project.

Collected items were returned and weighed on campus. Prizes were awarded to the teams that collected the most food.

The Central Illinois Foodbank distributes over 9 million pounds of food annually to more than 150 food pantries, soup kitchens, residential programs and after-school programs in a 21 county region.

For more information, or if you have food that was not collected, please contact the UIS Volunteer Center at 217/206-7716 or volunteer@uis.edu.

UIS ranked as the "Best Online College" in the country

The University of Illinois Springfield has been ranked as the “Best Online College” in the country for 2015-2016 by AffordableCollegesOnline.org (AC Online), a leading resource for online learning and college affordability information.

“This ranking reaffirms the high quality education online students receive at the Springfield campus of the University of Illinois,” said UIS Chancellor Susan. J Koch. “Many of our faculty members teach both on-ground and online and work hard to make sure that every student is able to succeed.”

In releasing the rankings, AC Online praised UIS for its online bachelor degree programs saying they “consistently receive top national rankings for small class sizes and personalized attention for students.” The website also noted that UIS’ online graduate programs in business and education have received top rankings for more than 10 years.

AC Online has distinguished its ranking scale by the use of Peer-Based Value, or PBV. The PBV score compares the cost of each program to the cost of similar programs with the same qualitative score.

“Affordable Colleges Online reviews and ranks fully accredited online programs” said Ray Schroeder, UIS associate vice chancellor of online learning. “We are pleased to be recognized by this association as deserving of placement at the very top of their statewide and national rankings.”

UIS’ most popular online programs include Computer Science, Business Administration, and Management Information Systems, followed by Public Administration and Mathematical Sciences programs.

“AC Online correctly notes UIS faculty consistently receive top rankings for their academic credentials and level of preparation for teaching online,” said Vickie Cook, director of the UIS Center for Online Learning, Research and Service (COLRS).

Over 200 UIS faculty taught online programs during the fall 2015 semester. Many of them are full-time faculty within the college where they also teach face to face. COLRS actively supports UIS faculty through providing teaching support, research support, and service to state and local organizations.

AffordableCollegesOnline.org began in 2011 to provide quality data and information about pursuing an affordable higher education. The website features higher education institutions that have developed online learning environments that include highly trained faculty, new technology and resources, and online support services to help students achieve educational and career success.

AC Online has been featured by nearly 700 postsecondary institutions and nearly 100 government organizations.

For more information on the rankings, please contact Ray Schroeder, UIS associate vice chancellor of online learning, at 217/206-7531 or rschr1@uis.edu.

UIS enrollment tops 5,000 for 6th consecutive year

Fall 2015 enrollment at the University of Illinois Springfield has topped 5,000 students for the sixth consecutive year. According to the official fall census, the total number of students enrolled at UIS after the first 10 days of classes is 5,402.

That makes it the second largest student body in UIS history. Last fall’s enrollment was 5,431.

“I am pleased that our reputation as a top destination for college students in the Midwest and beyond continues to grow,” said UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch. “We know students and their families have many options, but when they choose UIS, they know they are getting a high quality and affordable educational experience and a community where faculty and staff care about their success.”

There are a total of 629 African American students enrolled this semester to comprise of 11.6% of the student body. Students who self-identify as Hispanic comprise 5% (269) of this year’s student body.

On-ground students rose slightly as 3,805 enrolled to constitute 70.4% of the student population. Online learning continues to be strong at UIS, as 1,597 (29.6%) students enrolled in online degree or certificate programs. This semester, UIS online students reside in 47 of the 50 states, 70 counties in Illinois, and 7 foreign countries.

The number of international students enrolled at UIS increased by 26% this semester. Many of the students came to UIS from India and China. Computer Science and Management Information Systems are the most common majors chosen by international students.

A total of 1,047 students live in campus housing, which means campus housing is 93% occupied.

UIS is one of three campuses of the University of Illinois and provides students with a high-quality liberal arts education, exceptional public affairs opportunities, and outstanding professional preparation programs.

UIS has four core strengths: (1) a teaching-focused academic experience; (2) an abundance of opportunities to collaborate; (3) a right-sized supportive community; and (4) a tradition of educating public servants and leaders.

For more information, contact Derek Schnapp, director of public relations at 217/206-6716 or dschn3@uis.edu.

Strawbridge-Shepherd House added to the National Register of Historic Places

The National Park Service has added the 1840s-era Strawbridge-Shepherd House to its National Register of Historic Places. The Sangamon County home was restored by the Elijah Iles House Foundation and is located on the southern edge of the University of Illinois Springfield campus. It was officially listed on June, 8, 2015.

James Welt, who graduated from UIS in May with a master’s degree in history, led the effort to have the house added to the registry. He spent more than 200 hours researching and writing a proposal, which was submitted to the National Park Service.

“Buildings, like the Strawbridge-Shepherd House, provide us a visual connection to the past that you can't get from a history book,” said Welt. “Now that it is granted, I feel a bit of relief and satisfaction that the house has a level of protection.”



In 1970, the university, then Sangamon State, purchased the two-story house from the Shepherd family, ending that family's nearly 90-year ownership.

Since 2007, UIS has leased the historic home to the Elijah Iles House Foundation, which performed a major restoration effort. They have spent over $200,000 of its funds raised from mostly private donations for restoration and their volunteers have spent thousands of hours on the project and those volunteer hours continue.

The first floor of the house is currently used by the Illinois State Historical Society as office space. The second floor serves as home to the Springfield and Central Illinois African-American History Museum.

Thomas Strawbridge, Jr. built the original two-story house around 1845 after acquiring the land for farming in 1841. Another addition around 1865 changed the house into its present L-shape. Charles M. Shepherd purchased the property in 1883 after Strawbridge died in 1880. He subsequently made a number of alterations to the house including adding porches to the 1865 addition.

“Presently, the house is an eclectic mix of Greek Revival and Queen Anne styles. The house appears much as it would in the late nineteenth century with each construction phase remaining true to its respective time period,” said Welt.

Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources.

UIS recertified as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education

The University of Illinois Springfield has been recertified as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE/IAE) through academic year 2020 by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The goal of the program is to reduce vulnerability in our national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research.

“Programs like the one at UIS are helping to produce the professionals with information assurance expertise that are required to secure our nation's infrastructure,” said Ted Mims, head of the UIS Computer Science Department.

Students that attend UIS and participate in programs affiliated with the CAE/IAE are eligible to apply for scholarships and grants from the Department of Defense Information Assurance Scholarship Program and the Federal Cyber Service Scholarship for Service Program.

The UIS Computer Science Department has developed and offered courses in Systems Security and Information Assurance over the last twelve years. In September 2003, UIS became a partner with seven community colleges in a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant that created a Regional Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance (CSSIA). UIS is recognized as a national leader in the field of Cyber Security and Information Assurance.

The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education Program (CAE/IAE) is open to nationally or regionally accredited four-year colleges and graduate-level universities. The mission of a nationally accredited institution must be in Information Assurance or a similar area.

A ceremony recognizing UIS' achievement will be held during an Awards Ceremony Dinner in the Saturn V Hall at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration at the 7th Annual Southeastern Cyber Security Summit on June 3-4, 2015 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

For more information contact Ted Mims, head of the UIS Computer Science Department, at 217/206-7326 or tmims1@uis.edu.

UIS students volunteer in Mississippi as part of Alternative Spring Break

A group of students from the University of Illinois Springfield are spending their spring break working with children in Biloxi, Mississippi and helping with a coastal erosion prevention project.

A total of 20 UIS students and 2 staff members left Springfield on Sunday, March 15 at 5 a.m. and will return to campus on Saturday, March 21 at approximately 8 p.m.

“Each year, Alternative Spring Break seeks out to create a trip that provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for UIS students,” said Brittani Provost, student president of UIS Alternative Spring Break. “We are really excited to be engaging in youth and education work, especially in Mississippi.”

The student volunteers are spending three days with preschoolers from Early Head Start reading and helping with art projects. The group is also volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club’s after school program helping elementary and middle school students with homework. As part of a separate project, students are working on a costal erosion prevention project with Land Trust of the Mississippi Coastal Plain.

“UIS students have a chance to make a real impact working with students and understanding the complex issues that these students face as well as why programs like Early Head Start and Boys & Girls Club are important,” said Provost.

During their stay, students are living in a Community Collaborations International volunteer hostel and spending the majority of their day volunteering.

“This is an amazing opportunity for students to go beyond talking about these issues and personally engage in volunteer work,” said Mark Dochterman, director of the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center.

The UIS Alternative Spring Break student organization was formed in 2009 when students took their first trip to Louisiana to help build homes for Habitat for Humanity following Hurricane Katrina. In following years, students have helped clean up damage from Hurricane Ike in Texas, cleaned up portions of the Mississippi river in Tennessee, and helped rebuild homes damaged by hurricanes in New Orleans. In 2013, students helped with revitalization efforts in the Florida Everglades. Last year, students worked with the homeless at various soup kitchens in Washington, D.C.

For more information on Alternative Spring Break, contact Mark Dochterman, director of the UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center at mdoch2@uis.edu.

Study shows the economic impact of the University of Illinois Springfield on Sangamon County

A new study shows how the University of Illinois Springfield is having a major impact on the Sangamon County economy.

In Fiscal Year 2013-14, the university added $176.8 million in additional income to the local economy. That’s according to the study conducted by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI), a nationally known research firm who has conducted more than 1,200 economic impact studies for colleges and universities across the country.

“We’ve always known UIS has a large impact on the community in many different ways,” said UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch. “This study shows just how great the economic impact is on Sangamon County in particular.”

The study found UIS’ greatest impact results are from the education and training it provides for local residents. Thousands of UIS alumni are employed in Sangamon County. During the analysis year, UIS alumni generated $95.5 million in added income.

UIS employees and students are also helping to bolster the economy. The University employed 1,129 employees during FY 2013-14. University payroll amounted to $67.1 million, much of which was spent in Sangamon County.

Approximately 20% of UIS students relocated to Sangamon County to attend the university. Overall, those students spent $5.9 million in added income that would not have been generated without the university.

“We know this is only a fraction of the actual amount contributed to the local economy by the total UIS student population. Many of our students commute from surrounding counties, spending money while in the area,” said Koch.

The study finds UIS is not only helping to create jobs on campus, but in the community. Overall, the added income created by UIS and its students supports 2,981 full-time average-wage jobs in the county.

The study also measured the university’s return on investment for students and taxpayers. For every $1 spent on a UIS education by students they will gain $3.20 in added lifetime income.

“A college degree is still a very good investment. The stream of higher future wages that graduates receive in return for their educational investment continues to grow throughout their working lives with bachelor’s degree completers in Sangamon County earning on average $63,300 at the midpoint of their careers, $29,900 more per year than a county resident with only a high school diploma,” said Koch.

UIS is also a good investment for taxpayers. For every state and local taxpayer dollar spent on the university it returns $3.50 in added taxes and public sector savings. The finding represents the net present value of the added tax revenue stemming from the graduates’ higher lifetime incomes and the increased output of businesses amounts to $58.6 million in benefits to taxpayers.

EMSI utilized data provided by the university, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, mathematical formulas, and research data to determine the overall economic impact.

For more highlights of the UIS Economic Impact Survey and to read the full report visit www.uis.edu/impact/.

Questions about the report may be directed to Derek Schnapp, UIS director of Public Relations at 217/206-6716 or dschn3@uis.edu.

UIS named to President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for seventh year

The University of Illinois Springfield has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for a seventh consecutive year. The award is one of the highest federal recognitions a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.

During the 2012-13 academic year, UIS students spent 66,070 hours engaged in community service. A total of 905 students engaged in some type of community service, with 440 students volunteering at least 20 hours.

“To provide some perspective on this number, 66,000 hours of service represents between $600,000 and $1,000,000 of value to our community, and most of that is being directed toward nonprofit and community-based agencies right here in Springfield,” said Mark Dochterman, director of the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center.

Highlights of 2013 UIS volunteer efforts include students collecting over 200 pounds of toiletries and supplies for veterans and $200 in cash donations in support of American Legion Post 32 in Springfield. Students also collected 11,140 pounds of food for the Central Illinois Foodbank as part of the Trick or Treat for Canned Goods event.

In April 2013, over 200 UIS students participated in the Habitat for Humanity Brush with Kindness Program and made significant exterior renovations to five Springfield homes.

UIS students also traveled to Atlantic City, New Jersey in May 2013 to help with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Over the course of one week the UIS volunteers helped rebuild four homes damaged by the hurricane.

The Corporation for National and Community Service, which has administered the Honor Roll since 2006, annually highlights the role colleges and universities play in solving community problems and placing more students on a lifelong path of civic engagement by recognizing institutions that achieve meaningful, measureable outcomes in the communities they serve.

Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors, including the scope and innovation of service projects, the extent to which service-learning is embedded in the curriculum, the school’s commitment to long-term campus-community partnerships, and measurable community outcomes as a result of the service.

The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll is an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service, and is co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Campus Compact.

For more information on the award, contact Mark Dochterman, director of the UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center at 217/206-8448 or mdoch2@uis.edu.

UIS welcomes new University of Illinois President Timothy L. Killeen

 
Timothy L. Killeen, vice chancellor for research and president of the Research Foundation of the State University of New York (SUNY), was named the 20th president of the University of Illinois Wednesday, pending formal approval by the Board of Trustees. Killeen was welcome to the Springfield campus during an introductory event.

Killeen, 62, who would succeed retiring President Robert Easter, brings the experience of more than three decades as a teacher, researcher and administrator in public higher education and in top leadership positions with national scientific research agencies.

His work at SUNY mirrors core missions of the University of Illinois – supporting pioneering research and scholarship across disciplines, and taking it to the marketplace to drive economic growth.

As president of SUNY’s Research Foundation, Killeen is chief executive officer of the largest, most comprehensive university-connected research foundation in the nation, administering about $900 million annually across SUNY’s statewide network of 29 state-supported research campuses. Combined with his role as vice chancellor for research, he is at the center of SUNY’s strategy for research growth and works with campus leaders to increase basic, clinical and translational research.

He also chairs SUNY’s Patent and Inventions Policy Board, which seeks to promote economic development by turning research discovery into new businesses, products and services.

Killeen spent more than 20 years on the faculty and in administration at the University of Michigan, and served as assistant director for geosciences at the National Science Foundation (NSF) before joining SUNY in 2012. The independent federal agency provides nearly a quarter of federal research funding for U.S. colleges and universities, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranks third among U.S. universities in NSF funding.

A leading researcher in geophysics and space sciences, Killeen earned his Ph.D. in atomic and molecular physics from University College London at the age of 23. In 2007, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, which honors the world’s most accomplished engineers.

Killeen was selected as the next U. of I. president from a field of about 200 candidates and emerged as the top choice in the eight-month search because of a unique background that will help build on the University’s long legacy of contributions to progress and economic growth, said Board of Trustees Chairman Christopher G. Kennedy.

“Academic research institutions are the greatest renewable economic resource this country has ever had, and we are thrilled to have one of the greatest living researchers in America to lead the University of Illinois,” Kennedy said.

Killeen said the University of Illinois is a premier university with a nearly 150-year legacy of excellence in education, research and service to the state and nation.

“I am thrilled and deeply honored to have been selected by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees to serve as the next president of this incredible university,” Killeen said. “The University of Illinois, with its three distinctive world-class campuses, stands poised to build on its tremendous and ongoing history of accomplishment to envision and define the future of public comprehensive higher education.

“Firing on all cylinders, and with distinguished leadership and fabulous faculty in place, the University of Illinois will continue to broaden opportunity; educate, enrich, and empower our students; discover, create, and disseminate the new knowledge needed for our common future; and drive economic development through innovation – all with a commitment to scholarship and excellence and in service to the public good,” he said. “I will devote myself to this noble enterprise with every ounce of my energy. I thank the Board of Trustees for their confidence in me.”

As president, Killeen will lead a university that is the state’s largest educator with more than 78,000 students on its three campuses in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield, along with satellite medical campuses in Peoria and Rockford. The Urbana-Champaign campus is part of the Big Ten Conference, the Chicago campus is home to the nation’s largest medical school and a hospital and clinics that provide more than 450,000 patient visits annually, and the Springfield campus is regarded as a national leader in online education.

The University of Illinois is a top-ten research university with nearly $1 billion in separately funded research, including $549 million in federal funding that ranks 14th among universities nationwide. The university has a $5.6 billion annual budget and more than 29,000 employees across its campuses.

Before joining SUNY, Killeen spent four years as assistant director for geosciences at NSF, managing a funding portfolio that grew from $750 million to $800 million during his time at the agency. He is founding co-chair of the Belmont Forum, which gathers representatives of leading government funding agencies worldwide to collaborate on global climate change research, and the Science and Technology Alliance for Global Sustainability.

He also has served as a Lyall Research Professor at the University of Colorado, and from 2000-2008 was director of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, one of the world’s premier atmospheric research centers.

During his more than two decades at the University of Michigan, he was a researcher and professor of atmospheric, oceanic and space sciences, and also served as associate vice president for research.

Killeen has authored more than 150 publications in peer-reviewed journals, along with 300 other publications and papers. He also has served on various White House committees and task forces, and has testified on multiple occasions to Congress and the Executive branch.

He is a native of Wales and is a U.S. citizen. He earned his bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. at University College London. His wife, Roberta M. Johnson, has a Ph.D. in Geophysics and Space Physics from the University of California at Los Angeles and is executive director of the National Earth Science Teachers Association and clinical professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences at the State University of New York at Albany. They have three children.

Killeen would become the 20th president in the 147-year history of the University of Illinois, which was founded in 1867 as one of the nation’s original land-grant universities.

He would succeed Easter, who has served as president since July 2012. Before becoming president, Easter spent his entire, more than 40-year career as a faculty member and senior administrator in Urbana-Champaign. He joined the faculty in 1976 after earning his doctoral degree in animal science from the Urbana-Champaign campus, and later served as dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, as interim provost, as interim vice chancellor for research and as interim chancellor from 2009 to 2011.

Easter plans to continue his work as a researcher on the Urbana-Champaign campus after he officially retires as president on June 30.

A complete biography and curriculum vitae for Killeen can be found at www.uillinois.edu/20thPresident.

UIS students collect over 11,000 pounds of food for the Central Illinois Foodbank on Halloween night

Almost 200 University of Illinois Springfield students helped to collect a record 11,620 pounds of food for the Central Illinois Foodbank on Halloween night. The total breaks a previous Trick or Treat for Canned Goods record of 11,147 pounds of food collected in 2013.

Teams of students went door-to-door in several Springfield neighborhoods collecting the canned goods. Earlier this month, the teams canvassed the neighborhoods and distributed door hangers that explained the project.

Collected items were returned and weighed on campus. Prizes were awarded to the teams that collected the most food.

“Team UnNamed” won the overall prize by collecting 1,928 pounds of food. The Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternity chapter at UIS won the most pounds per team member award by gathering 836 pounds of food with only seven team members.

The Central Illinois Foodbank distributes over 8.5 million pounds of food annually to more than 150 food pantries, soup kitchens, residential programs and after-school programs in a 21 county region.

For more information, or if you have food that was not collected, please contact the UIS Volunteer Center at 217/206-7716 or volunteer@uis.edu.

UIS reports highest enrollment in history

Tops 5,000 students for the 5th year 

Fall 2014 enrollment at the Springfield campus of the University of Illinois is up by nearly 300 students compared to the previous fall semester. According to the official fall census, the total number of students enrolled at UIS after the first 10 days of classes is 5,431.

That makes it the largest student body in UIS history and the fifth year enrollment has topped 5,000 students. Last fall’s enrollment was 5,137. The previous highest enrollment record was 5,174 students set in fall 2010.

“One of our highest priorities has been growing our enrollment, and we are pleased with this fall’s census. When students and families make the decision to pursue their educational goals at UIS, they know they will receive a high quality educational experience at the same time they are earning their University of Illinois diploma,” said UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch.

There are also more students living on the UIS campus this semester. A total of 1,074 students live in campus housing, which means campus housing is 97.4% occupied.

“We continue to enhance student life on campus and our numbers obviously reflect that. It also shows the greater need for student housing on and near our campus. We continue to work with developers on plans to bring additional living space along the 11th street area,” added Koch.

Overall, the diversity of the student body is also growing. The number of international students enrolled at UIS increased by over 115% this semester. There are 827 international students enrolled at UIS this semester. Many of the students came to UIS from India and China. Computer Science and Management Information Systems are the most common majors chosen by international students.

The number of African American students enrolled grew by over 3.5%. There are a total of 634 African American students this semester compared to 612 in fall 2013. Students who self-identify as Hispanic comprise 4.8% (262) of this year’s student body.

Growth in online learning also continues, with a total of 1,689 students enrolled in online degree or certificate programs, a 4.9% increase over fall 2013. This semester, UIS online students reside in 48 of the 50 states, 70 counties in Illinois, and 9 foreign countries.

UIS is one of three campuses of the University of Illinois and provides students with a high-quality liberal arts education, exceptional public affairs opportunities, and outstanding professional preparation programs.

UIS has four core strengths: (1) a teaching-focused academic experience; (2) an abundance of opportunities to collaborate; (3) a right-sized supportive community; and (4) a tradition of educating public servants and leaders.

For more information, contact Derek Schnapp, director of public relations at 217/206-6716 or dschn3@uis.edu.

UIS students give back during Welcome Week Service-A-Thon

The University of Illinois Springfield Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center hosted its annual Welcome Week Service-A-Thon on August 29, 2014.

The event gave students a chance to learn about service and give back to the Springfield and campus community.

This year, UIS volunteers helped Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County with a home building project and volunteered at the St. John’s Breadline and M.E.R.C.Y Communities in Springfield.

Students also partnered with the American Red Cross to prepare fire and burn emergency kits, which they distributed to townhouses and apartments on campus.

“The idea is that it sparks an interest that students will follow-up on and many be involved on a weekly basis or individually with a specific organization they’re interested in,” said Mark Dochterman, director of the UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center.

A total of 75 students participated in this year’s project.

Good as Gold Ceremony honors over 50 Sangamon County volunteers and businesses

The University of Illinois Springfield Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center and the Junior League of Springfield honored more than 50 Sangamon County volunteers and businesses during the annual Good as Gold Ceremony. The event was held on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 in the Sangamon Auditorium Lobby at UIS.

Distinguished Volunteer Award 

Glenn Allison, an 84-year-old lifelong resident of Sherman, was honored with the 2014 Distinguished Volunteer Award. Allison volunteers a minimum of 15 hours a week at Memorial Medical Center and 10 hours weekly at the Illinois State Military Museum.

This year marks his 21st year as a volunteer at Memorial and 12 years as a volunteer at the Military Museum. He is a veteran of the Illinois National Guard and served in the Korean War.

Allison considers his volunteering a serious commitment. He firmly embraces the mission statements of both organizations, as if he was a salaried employee.

As a younger man, Allison served on several boards and committees for the Village of Sherman, St. John Vianney Roman Catholic Church, The Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club, and other professional organizations. He was awarded a plaque from the Sherman Volunteer Fire Protection District for his 32 years of exemplary service and dedication of the highest level.

Finalists for the Distinguished Volunteer Award included A. Edward Hohenstein from Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County, Mark Puczynski from Springfield Public Schools, Thomas Tomlinson from the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, and Mary Yokem from the Foster Grandparent Program.

UIS Star Student & Star Staff Awards 

UIS student Mallory Beck of Springfield was honored with the Star Student Award for her volunteer efforts. As vice president of the UIS Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, she’s helped organize clothing and food drives, trips to nursing homes, and a “Kids Night Out” fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Beck is also planning a “Sports with Diabetes” camp for children afflicted with Type 1 Diabetes and their families on May 3, 2014. Other UIS students nominated included Matt Dobill, Jill Gossett, and Fred Jackson. The Star Staff Award was given to Pamela Hammond-McDavid for her work with the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center, her service to Grace United Methodist Church’s National Commission on Religion and Race, and for serving as a founding member of the Good as Gold Committee.

Community and Organization Awards 

Community member Katie Engle from West Side Christian Church was honored with the Youth Volunteer Award for efforts to coordinate and a two-day community Thanksgiving meal at Harvard Park Elementary called “Feast for 500”. She also helped with another effort to provide pajamas and books to Harvard Park students. She continues to be an active supporter at Harvard Park as a reading mentor, 'room sister' and office helper. Others nominated for the award include Abigail Judge, Katelyn Judge, and Erin Monroe.

Thirty local volunteers were also honored with the Heart of Gold Award. Recipients included: Grace Adloff, Jo Ellen Bretz, Judy Brown, John Craner, Debra Elmore, Lynn Evans, Scott Gauvin, Timothy J. Granzeau, Pauline Halm, Pam Hargan, Lisa Higgs, Wes King; Ted LeBlang, Sandy Linehan; Faraji Martin, Ikenna Martin, Nancy Eckert Martin, Harry McKinney, Joan McKinney, Cindy Murdock, Beth Nestler, Jeff Patton, Christine Phillips, Deb Philo, Deanna Planitz, Megan Swanson, Angela Try, Joyce Wilson, Mary Jo Woolsey, and Beth Yong.

Springfield Health Check was recognized with the Organization Agent of Service Award for its contributions to the community. The organization offers free health fairs for businesses and organizations. The group works one-on-one to set up wellness programs with local businesses and organizations to improve health, engagement, and productivity. Others nominated for the award include Habitat for Humanity, First Christian Church, and the 21st Century “R” Rescue Team.

Business Honor Roll 

A total of 12 Sangamon County businesses were named to the inaugural Business Honor Roll, sponsored by the Springfield Chamber of Commerce. The honor roll recognizes businesses that have made giving back to our community a priority.

Businesses making this year’s honor roll include America Ambulance Service, Bank of Springfield, BUNN, CEFCU, Illinois National Bank, Kerber, Eck & Braeckel LLP, Noodles and Company, the Orthopedic Center of Illinois, PJP Auto Enterprises, Quaker Steak & Lube, SCHEELS, and Terry Farmer Photography.

For more information about the awards, please visit www.uis.edu/volunteer, email volunteer@uis.edu or call 217/ 206-7716.

UIS students to spend Alternative Spring Break fighting hunger and homelessness in Washington, D.C.

A group of students from the University of Illinois Springfield will spend their spring break working at soup kitchens and homeless shelters in Washington, D.C. Volunteers will be working in collaboration with the Youth Services Opportunities Program of Washington, D.C.

A total of 25 UIS students and 2 staff members will leave Springfield on Sunday, March 16 at 5 a.m. and return to campus on Saturday, March 22 at approximately 9 p.m. The students will spend the week living in a hostel and serving in local nonprofit agencies that address hunger and homelessness in the D.C. metro area.

Each day the group will work in smaller groups of three or four. The 27 participants will each serve approximately 40 hours over the course of the weeklong service trip totaling 1,080 hours of service provided.

The Youth Services Opportunities Program (YSOP) is a nationally recognized leader in providing high-quality volunteer service experiences. YSOP has been a pioneer in the field of service-learning, leading thousands of young people and adults in programs to encourage community participation and engaged citizenship through direct service to homeless and hungry people.

“Alternative Spring Break at UIS is a student-led effort. The students choose the location, organize the logistics, recruit members, and work throughout the year to raise necessary funds” said Mark Dochterman, ASB adviser and director of the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center.

This year’s trip will be supported by a $3,450 Venture Fund Grant from United Way of Central Illinois, which will offset the service related costs of the trip.

“It's a really humbling experience to go out and help the homeless and try to understand what poverty is and what it looks like in the United States,” said UIS student Brittani Provost. “However, I think the collective idea of our efforts is important as well. The idea of taking a group of about 25 UIS students and spending a week in another community while volunteering creates a really unique experience.”

The UIS Alternative Spring Break student organization was formed in 2009 when students took their first trip to Louisiana to help build homes for Habitat for Humanity following Hurricane Katrina. The following year, students traveled to Texas to help clean up damage from Hurricane Ike. In 2011, the students traveled to Tennessee to help clean up portions of the Mississippi River. In 2012, the students helped rebuild homes damaged by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Gustav in New Orleans. Last year, students helped with revitalization efforts in the Florida Everglades.

For more information on Alternative Spring Break, contact Mark Dochterman, director of the UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center at mdoch2@uis.edu.

Capital Scholars Honors Program spotlighted at Board of Trustees meeting

Chancellor Susan J. Koch welcomed members of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees to the Springfield campus on November 14, 2013.

Following her opening remarks, Koch introduced Marc Klingshirn, director of the Capital Scholars Honors Program and two students (Vivica Futrell & Matt Dobill) who discussed how the program has benefited them.



UIS students Shao (Christina) Yu and Ying Han also performed traditional Chinese music for the board.

UIS students collect over 11,000 pounds of food

Over 200 University of Illinois Springfield students helped to collect 11,147 pounds of food for the Central Illinois Foodbank on Halloween night.

A total of 18 teams of students went door-to-door in several Springfield neighborhoods Trick or Treating for Canned Goods.

“Last year we collected 6,800 pounds of food. Despite rainy weather and thanks to the generosity of the Springfield community, this year our dedicated students were able to collect almost twice that amount,” said Mark Dochterman, director of the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center.

Earlier this month, the teams canvassed neighborhoods and distributed door hangers that explained the project. Collected items were returned and weighed at Quaker Steak and Lube Thursday night following the drive. Prizes were awarded to the teams that collect the most food.

The Leadership for Life Program won the overall prize by collecting 1,353 pounds of food. Lambda Pi Eta, the communication honor society on campus, won the most pounds per team member award by gathering 1,042 pounds of food with only four team members.

The Central Illinois Foodbank distributes over 9.5 million pounds of food annually to over 150 food pantries, soup kitchens, residential programs and after-school programs in a 21 county region.

For more information, or if you have food that was not collected please contact the UIS Volunteer Center at 217/206-7716 or volunteer@uis.edu.