blog posts

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  DPI Partners with OneTen to Advance Black Talent in Illinois

  Feb 22, 2022 9:15 am

  The Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) has been inducted into the OneTen employer partner network, a coalition of leading CEOs and their companies aiming to upskill, hire, and advance one million Black individuals without four-year degrees over the next decade.

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  UIC named top school in the Midwest for diversity, No. 6 in U.S.

  Feb 24, 2022 12:45 pm

  The University of Illinois at Chicago ranks highest in the Midwest for the diversity of its students and faculty in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings. 

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  UIS partners with school district to support diverse workforce pipeline

  Mar 2, 2022 10:45 am

  The University of Illinois Springfield School of Education has partnered with Springfield School District 186 to support the district’s new Diverse Workforce Pipeline Program to increase the number of diverse teachers in classrooms.

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  Report shows recent Illinois graduates succeeding despite pandemic

  Mar 9, 2022 8:00 am

  The seventh annual Illini Success report released today shows that University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates in summer 2020, fall 2020 and spring 2021 found jobs, enrolled in graduate school or began volunteer programs on par with previous years.

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  Google to help DPI & Wilbur Wright College build diverse computing pipeline

  Mar 23, 2022 9:30 am

  The Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) and Wilbur Wright College are expanding their partnership to develop promising and diverse tech talent in Illinois, focusing on the student journey into computer and data science fields, with support from Google.

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  UIS partners with UIC School of Law on expedited degree

  Apr 7, 2022 9:45 am

  UIS undergraduate students now have the opportunity to earn both their bachelor’s degree and a law degree in six years (compared to the typical seven years) thanks to a new agreement with the UIC School of Law.

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  I-Ready online camp offered for high school students with autism

  Apr 25, 2022 8:45 am

  Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors at Illinois high school who are on the autism spectrum are encouraged to apply for I-Ready, a virtual summer camp at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 

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  UIC awarded grant to continue developing CPS leaders

  Apr 27, 2022 8:45 am

  The UIC Center for Urban Education Leadership has received a $250,000 grant to continue its efforts to assist the Chicago Public Schools’ five-year vision to strengthen its leadership pipeline. 

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  UIC launches online master’s program in artificial intelligence, machine learning

  Apr 27, 2022 8:45 am

  A new Master of Engineering online degree program will increase access to graduate degrees for working engineers, scientists and managers with strong quantitative backgrounds as well as meet the growing demand for artificial intelligence and machine learning professionals.

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  Gies launches fully online, stackable graduate certificates

  May 5, 2022 2:45 pm

  Furthering its longstanding commitment to break down barriers to business education, Gies College of Business is launching a pair of fully online, credit-bearing graduate certificates, the first ever offered by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

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  Call Me MISTER graduates hope to inspire, mentor

  May 5, 2022 2:45 pm

  The first three students of UIC's Call Me MISTER initiative will graduate from the UIC College of Education May 6, and be one step closer to becoming Chicago-area teachers and mentors to students who look like them.

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  17 companies tap more than 100 UIC students to tackle tech challenges

  May 19, 2022 3:45 pm

  More than 100 women and nonbinary students pursuing undergraduate degrees in computer science, data science and other tech disciplines at the University of Illinois Chicago will team up with 17 Chicago and national companies to help solve technology-related business challenges.

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  New center helps HS teachers enable students with significant disabilities gain employment

  May 19, 2022 3:45 pm

  The Illinois Center for Transition and Work provides resources and training for special educators and others who are preparing high school students with significant disabilities to work after graduation.

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  DPI Launches First Apprenticeship Program with Cognizant

  May 26, 2022 8:45 am

  The Discovery Partners Institute’s Pritzker Tech Talent Labs is launching its first apprenticeship program in partnership with global professional services leader Cognizant, aimed at advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech industry.

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  DPI aims to diversify Chicago's tech sector

  Jun 9, 2022 8:45 am

  The U of I System-led Discovery Partners Institute's Pritzker Tech Talent Labs are a resource to help increase the diverse supply of tech talent for Chicago-area businesses. DPI Director Bill Jackson writes about why it is so important in an OpEd in Crain's Chicago Business.

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  U of I System universities formalize partnerships with Hope Chicago

  Jun 9, 2022 8:45 am

  All three U of I System universities are among the 23 institutions that have formalized partnerships with Hope Chicago, the innovative two-generation scholarship program providing college and vocational scholarships to Chicago Public School students and their parents.

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  UIC becomes founding member of alliance to boost Hispanic opportunity

  Jun 15, 2022 10:45 am

  The University of Illinois Chicago and 19 of the nation’s top research universities have formed the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities to increase opportunity for those historically underserved by higher education.

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  DPI’s IWERC awarded funding to expand research on education issues

  Jun 27, 2022 3:15 pm

  The Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC) at the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) has been awarded a total of $275,000 in funding from three organizations — CME Group Foundation, Joyce Foundation, and Crown Family Philanthropies —  that will expand IWERC’s research on Illinois education issues.

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  Discovery Partners Institute, UIC CHANCE expand Digital Scholars

  Jul 5, 2022 10:45 am

  The Discovery Partners Institute and University of Illinois Chicago (UIC’s) CHANCE program, in partnership with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, announced the expansion of its Digital Scholars Program to support and develop promising and diverse tech talent in Illinois.

  Digital Scholars, now in its third year, is an intensive, free, five-week summer program for high school students and incoming UIC freshmen. 

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  New program to support UIUC freshmen with autism

  Jul 15, 2022 10:45 am

  Incoming freshmen at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with autism can avail themselves of autism-specific support by participating in the Illinois Neurodiversity Initiative, a pilot program getting underway in the fall semester.

   

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  UIS report: Most 2020-21 grads employed or continuing education

  Jul 28, 2022 1:45 pm

  A new report finds that 93 percent of 2020-21 University of Illinois Springfield bachelor’s graduates are employed or continuing their education.

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  UIS and LLCC enhance transfer admission agreement

  Aug 4, 2022 12:00 pm

  Leaders from the University of Illinois Springfield and Lincoln Land Community College signed an agreement enhancing their partnership to ensure a smooth transition for LLCC students to complete bachelor’s degrees at UIS. 

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  UIC students recognized with Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation scholarships

  Aug 11, 2022 10:15 am

  Ten UIC students were awarded $5,000 each from the chicago Latino Caucus Foundation, plus an additional $2,500 scholarship from the Latin American and Educational Services Program and the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs and Academic Programs.

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  Chicago awarded $18.5M in federal funds to create new jobs in the region

  Aug 17, 2022 2:00 pm

  The Discovery Partners Institute and P33 will spearhead tech-specific workforce development programs in support of an $18.5 million federal Good Jobs Challenge award announced earlier this month.

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  A new vision for tech in Chicago

  Aug 23, 2022 10:45 am

  Break Through Tech Chicago at UIC is changing the landscape of technology in Chicago and fostering long-term connections between students and national and local companies committed to gender equity. 

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  UIUC designated as a First-gen Forward institution

  Sep 1, 2022 10:45 am

  The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has been recognized for its commitment to the support and success of first-generation students.

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  Real Impact: Giving back tops driven alum’s list of successes

  Sep 2, 2022 9:00 am

  University of Illinois Chicago alum Lura Buckley attributes her success to Chicago’s One Million Degrees, as well as support from family, friends, mentors and educators.

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  DPI, Interapt, CVS Health to launch program to develop diverse tech talent for Illinois companies

  Sep 23, 2022 2:30 pm

  Chicago/Skills will provide tuition-free technology training and paid apprenticeship opportunities to as many as 2,500 people over five years.

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  UIUC to launch Master of Computer Science Degree with DPI in Chicago

  Sep 23, 2022 2:45 pm

  The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is launching a new Professional Master of Computer Science degree in Chicago with the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI), designed as a path for CS students to continue their education and accelerate their careers.

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  UIC partners with Argonne for urban climate change study

  Oct 6, 2022 2:00 pm

  Consortium awarded $25 million over five years from the U.S. Department of Energy to study urban climate change effects at neighborhood, local and regional scales

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  Researchers, YouthBuild team up to train bedbug exterminators

  Oct 6, 2022 3:30 pm

  Partnership empowers local tenants to control infestations as part of UIUC commitment to social justice projects.

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  Real Impact: Once-reluctant teen raises her hand for tech

  Oct 10, 2022 8:15 am

  Digital Scholars at Discovery Partners Institute helps high school and college students like Aijah Welch build confidence and skills while connecting them with Chicago’s dynamic tech community. 

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  UIC-led manufacturing consortium earns $5M DOD grant

  Oct 10, 2022 10:00 am

  A consortium led by the Nathalie P. Voorhees Center for Neighborhood and Community Improvement at the University of Illinois Chicago received a five-year, $5 million grant through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program.

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  DPI launches statewide mobile app development program for K-12 educators

  Oct 12, 2022 8:45 am

  The Discovery Partners Institute, in partnership with Apple, is launching a training program for teachers in mobile app development using Swift, enabling participants to gain programming skills and bring CS concepts into their K-12 classrooms.

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  UIC to lead $8.8M grant analyzing what 'Blackness' means in STEM

  Oct 25, 2022 10:45 am

  UIC is one of six institutions that will split an $8.8 million National Science Foundation grant to develop theories, research methods and tools to help expand and tailor the field of STEM education to support Black students.

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  DPI wins Joyce Foundation grant to examine dual-credit outcomes

  Oct 25, 2022 12:00 pm

  The Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC) has been awarded $94,191 by the Joyce Foundation to fund a two-year study of Illinois’ dual-credit program, which enables high school students to undertake coursework that counts for high school and college credit.

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  Future genetic counselor tells her own Illinois Commitment story

  Oct 28, 2022 11:15 am

  "When I look back at it, that one tiny mutation in (my sister's) DNA had a significant effect on the evolution of our family. For me, it set me on a path that brought me to Illinois."

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  Universities' Salute events strive to keep top students in Illinois

  Nov 14, 2022 3:30 pm

  Robust U of I System events and other interactions give students from historically underrepresented groups information and experiences to help them see how they’d fit in at U of I System universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield, as well as at the state’s other public universities.

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  DPI expands efforts to boost diverse tech pipeline with Google support

  Dec 5, 2022 1:30 pm

  To kick off Computer Science Education Week, Discovery Partners Institute, part of the University of Illinois System, today announced a $200,000 grant from Google to expand its efforts to develop promising and diverse tech talent in Chicago.

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  New hybrid option improves access for future science communicators

  Jan 6, 2023 9:45 am

  New online master’s program and individual course modules reduce barries for journalists and prospective journalists who want to improve and specialize in science writing.

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  Real Impact: AP training equips high school teachers for stronger programs

  Jan 13, 2023 10:00 am

  Students from many Illinois high schools don't have full access to a key opportunity for success: Advanced Placement courses. During summer 2023, the University of Illinois System will offer – for the first time – Advanced Placement Summer Institutes at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and University of Illinois Springfield.

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  Program moves early childhood educators to next level in careers

  Jan 13, 2023 11:15 am

  At University of Illinois Chicago, dozens of early childhood teachers and their families celebrated the UIC Early Childhood Education Alternative Licensure Program. The program focuses on helping early childhood education professionals further their careers with tuition and fees covered by the City of Chicago Early Learning Workforce scholarship. 

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  OSF HealthCare, UIC award nearly $1M in grants to promote health equity

  Feb 6, 2023 12:30 pm

  The Community Health Advocacy (CHA) program is creating fast solutions to improve access, communication & education. Ten projects will be funded by these grants, and recipients are expected to create solutions that can be deployed within four to six weeks.

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  New AP training equips high school teachers for student success

  Feb 9, 2023 8:15 am

  While many high schools in the state offer some Advanced Placement courses, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) says nearly two-thirds of districts – mostly in rural areas – did not enroll any AP students last year. Turning that around means more Sparking Change-style experiences that lead to successful pathways for college and careers.

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  UIUC among top producers of Fulbright US Student, US Scholar awards

  Feb 13, 2023 10:45 am

  The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is among 18 institutions recognized as top producers for both Fulbright Students and Fulbright Scholars. With eight faculty members named, this is the second year in a row that Illinois was named a top producer of U.S. Scholars.

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  Cairo food donation garden work wins award for community champion

  Feb 27, 2023 12:30 pm

  An Extension employee’s work to fight food insecurity in her community has earned her Extension’s Excellence in Diversity Award. Sarita Sawyer, community outreach worker, has been instrumental in recruiting diverse volunteers for the Cairo Pilot Food Donation Garden.

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  DPI partners with Hope Chicago to expand access to tech apprenticeships

  Mar 6, 2023 11:45 am

  The new multigenerational partnership will create a new pathway to lucrative tech careers for thousands of Chicago Public Schools students and their parents.

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  UIUC partners with Champaign Park District for new STEAM programming

  Mar 13, 2023 2:00 pm

  The park district's new Martens Center will host STEAM-focused learning as part of a two-year partnership with the University. Programming will feature computers, 3-D printers, LEGO projects, and more.

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  Pioneering female politicians’ papers available for review in UIC Library

  Mar 20, 2023 3:30 pm

  The collections span the careers of Cardiss Collins, who represented Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1973 to 1997, and Esther Saperstein, who served in the Illinois General Assembly from 1957 to 1975 and as a Chicago alderperson from 1975 to 1979. 

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  Details unearthed about well-regarded 19th-century astronomer's life, family

  Mar 27, 2023 11:15 am

  UIUC professor Gregory Girolami discovered previously undisclosed details concerning Margaret Bryan, an English schoolmistress who published numerous astronomy and physics textbooks for young women.