ACROSS THE SYSTEM
Look across the U of I System and you will find a constant evolution as our universities adapt to the needs of the state, the region and the world beyond.
Look across the U of I System and you will find a constant evolution as our universities adapt to the needs of the state, the region and the world beyond. This forward-looking culture begins with our leadership, and this year we welcome new leaders at two universities. Certainly, the vitality of the system and the diversity of its offerings extend well beyond the classroom and laboratory. All three system universities build pride through their successful athletic programs. You can also see progress at work in the new construction and renovation on each campus as we prepare for a future that begins today
U OF I SYSTEM JOINS INITIATIVE TO APPLY THE POWER OF SYSTEMS TO FOSTER EQUITY
The University of Illinois System is part of a new initiative created to drive student success while tackling systemic inequities that too often stand in the way.
The Power of Systems initiative, launched through the National Association of System Heads, calls for a network of higher education systems to work collaboratively, holding themselves accountable in three key areas: credential completion, social mobility, and student loan debt reduction.
The plan also calls for flexible and responsive programs to meet the unique needs of each student; support for the creation of just and accessible opportunities that empower all students; collective resource sharing; leveraging the power of public higher education systems to better serve students and society; and ultimately the creation of a civically engaged and globally competitive workforce that contributes to community vitality, economic development and knowledge creation.
Through the development of innovative technologies, building on talent and resources from the universities.
GOOCH LEADS AS NEW UIS CHANCELLOR
The University of Illinois Springfield welcomes its next chancellor, Janet L. Gooch.
Gooch joins UIS from Truman State University, where she served as the executive vice president for academic affairs and provost since 2017.
“I look forward to getting to know the students, faculty and staff at UIS, as well as the city of Springfield, and working together as we chart a course that provides opportunities for our students and serves the region as both an educator and an economic engine,” Gooch said.
Gooch brings a history of leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion, including initiating the creation of a program to provide support to historically underrepresented students and improve retention and graduation rates.
She is a professor of speech pathology and replaces interim Chancellor Karen M. Whitney.
“I look forward to getting to know the students, faculty and staff at UIS, as well as the city of Springfield, and working together as we chart a course that provides opportunities for our students and serves the region as both an educator and an economic engine.”
CHANCELLOR AMIRIDIS LEAVES LAST LEGACY AT UIC; PROVOST REYES STEPS IN
Serving since 2015 at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), Chancellor Michael Amiridis was named the next president of the University of South Carolina.
Amiridis worked to make UIC the university for Chicago while also expanding its statewide, national and international impact.
Under his leadership, enrollment topped a record 34,000 in 2021, and UIC remained one of the nation’s most diverse and affordable campuses. During his tenure, UIC added the UIC School of Law, surpassed a record $400 million in research awards and led the creation of a consortium of Hispanic-serving research universities. Provost Javier Reyes is serving as interim chancellor during a search
for a permanent leader. Reyes has almost two decades of higher education experience and was West Virginia University’s Milan Puskar Dean of the John Chambers College of Business and Economics before joining UIC.
ILLINI CAPTURE BIG TEN TITLE A YEAR AFTER CLAIMING TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Fighting Illini men’s basketball team won the Big Ten title in 2022, its first regular-season championship since the 2004-05 season.
The title followed a championship in the 2021 Big Ten Tournament. The Illini also made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2021 and 2022. The team was honored at the state Capitol in Springfield in recognition of winning the 2022 Big Ten championship.
"Coach Brad Underwood has led a remarkable resurgence of our men's basketball program," Athletic Director Josh Whitman said. "Under his strong leadership, we have won Big Ten championships, posted one of the best three-year runs in the history of Fighting Illini men's basketball and the Big Ten Conference, and reestablished ourselves on the national stage.”
UIC MAKES A MOVE TO THE MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE
The University of Illinois Chicago, in its 40th year of NCAA Division I competition, has joined the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC).
“The Valley is a conference that is not only rich in tradition with a storied history of success, but it aligns UIC with other like-minded institutions that share in our vision for the future of higher education and athletics,” then Chancellor Michael Amiridis said.
UIC will be the MVC’s 12th member institution, entering the conference for the 2022-23 academic year alongside fellow newcomers Belmont University and Murray State University.
Since earning Division I status in 1981, UIC has amassed 75 conference championships and made 47 NCAA postseason appearances.
UIC had been a member of the Horizon League since 1994.
UIS MEN'S SOCCER WRAPS BEST-EVER SEASON
The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) men's soccer team wrapped its best-ever season with a trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament and a 13-6-2 record.
The Prairie Stars’ trip to the NCAAs was the first in program history, and their 13 wins were the most for the program since 2003. The team lost in the third round of the tournament to No. 7 Indianapolis.
The team was ranked No. 16 in the final NCAA Division II national rankings, the first time UIS reached the top 25 since moving to the NCAA level.
UIS also finished in second place in both the Great Lakes Valley Conference regular season and conference tournament.
REBUILD ILLINOIS PROJECT FUELS INNOVATION AMID GROWING ENROLLMENT
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker underscored the importance of the new Computer Design Research and Learning Center at the University of Illinois Chicago.
“As Chicago’s only public research university — and one of the most diverse universities in the country — we’re making investments to further cement UIC’s place as a national leader, propelling it into the future,” Pritzker said. “Rebuild Illinois recognizes the importance of UIC as a foundation for innovation, and that same innovation is critical to our success as a state.”
Adjacent to UIC’s Memorial Grove, the $117.8 million, 135,000 square-foot facility features 16,000 square feet of classroom space and 35 labs, including a 1,200 square-foot robotics lab.
“Rebuild Illinois recognizes the importance of UIC as a foundation for innovation, and that same innovation is critical to our success as a state.”
UIUC CAMPUS INSTRUCTIONAL FACILITY OFFERS ACTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
A new premier classroom building showcases both interactive learning and education technology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
The 124,000-square-foot Campus Instructional Facility (CIF) opened in fall 2021. The $75 million public-private partnership project features more than 2,400 student seats in 23 classrooms.
“The classroom doesn’t teach the class, but we know the design of a classroom definitely influences the type of teaching and learning that goes on there,” said Ava Wolf, assistant director of Teaching and Learning Environments at the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning.
“The classroom doesn’t teach the class, but we know the design of a classroom definitely influences the type of teaching and learning that goes on there.”
CIF classrooms support a wide range of courses but are especially suited to small group discussions, collaborative learning and peer interaction.
NEW UI HEALTH FACILITY PROVIDES GAME-CHANGING CARE
A vacant lot not so long ago now houses the University of Illinois Hospital & Clinics Specialty Care Building (SCB). The new Illinois Medical District facility serves as a source of pride.
“With our collective focus and determination, we have made the operational and clinical adjustments needed to bring online a new, cutting-edge care space. The new expansions to the SCB also will help us better utilize our existing clinical areas,” Chief Executive Officer Michael B. Zenn said.
“It will benefit everyone – especially our patients.”
The 200,000-square-foot facility offers state-of-the-art care for outpatient surgery, ophthalmology, gastroenterology and more.