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Sparking Change
Read the latest stories about how the University of Illinois System is widening doors of opportunities, creating a stronger, more diverse workforce for our state and beyond.

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  • City Colleges guaranteed admission partnership

    A guaranteed admission partnership with City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) has been expanded to include all three U of I System universities and that top transfers will be eligible for scholarships through a new pilot program. More...

  • inclusive excellence summary

    Advancing inclusion in STEM education

    The University of Illinois at Chicago has received a five-year, $1 million grant through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Inclusive Excellence Initiative. More...

  • students on campus

    Extension to ACES scholarships

    University of Illinois Extension and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences(ACES) are now offering up to 54 scholarships for the 2018-2019 academic year. More...

  • Professor teaching class

    Dual credit class

    UIS is offering its first on-campus dual-credit class for high school students as part of a pilot program. The pilot course, CHE 199A: General, Organic, and Biochemistry, is taught by a faculty member and students earn high school and college credit. More...

  • Urbana students

    American Talent Initiative

    The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has joined the American Talent Initiative, a coalition of top universities committed to enhancing the recruitment, enrollment and graduation of high-achieving lower- and moderate-income students. More...

  • UIC campus

    Expanded scholarship support

    UIC’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has received $1.5 million from The Davee Foundation to expand its scholarship support for high-achieving students with financial need. More...

  • Four years. Free Tuition.That's Illinois Commitment.

    Illinois Commitment

    A new financial-aid program, Illinois Commitment aims to make attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign more affordable for middle-income families in the state of Illinois. More...

  • UIC campus

    Expanded funding for MAP grants and merit scholarships

    Tim Killeen, president of the U of I System, spoke with the Chicago Tribune about what the increase in state funding means for public higher education. 

  • students in library

    Enrollment grows to nearly 89,000 students

    Enrollment this fall across the University of Illinois System grew to a record high for the seventh straight year, increasing 3.8 percent to nearly 89,000 students, President Tim Killeen announced. More...

  • UIS graduates

    UIS waives application fees for prospective students

    The University of Illinois at Springfield is waiving all application fees for prospective students in an effort to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to pursue a higher education. More...

  • College of Medicine campus

    UIC College of Medicine decreases tuition

    The University of Illinois College of Medicine will reduce its tuition rates for all students, beginning with the 2020-21 academic year to address the rising indebtedness of medical students upon graduation. More...

  • woman at laptop

    U of I System excels in online program rankings

    Online programs at all three universities in the University of Illinois System have been recognized in the 2020 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings. More...

  • students in library

    U of I System creates new, $36 million financial aid fund

    The University of Illinois System has created a fund that will provide at least $36 million in new, targeted financial aid to help students who are facing increased need now and for the coming academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Nursing students working on mannequin

    UIS/UIC guaranteed pathway to UIC nursing degree

    UIC and UIS have announced the creation of a joint undergraduate nursing curriculum that will guarantee a spot for incoming freshmen in UIC’s highly ranked nursing program.

  • International flags

    Importance of our international students

    Students from dozens of countries are integral to the globally connected University of Illinois System, and they are valued members of our family. They enrich our universities and greatly enhance the educational experience for all.

  • three students, one from each campus

    Universities adopt test-optional policy for fall 2021

    The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the University of Illinios at Springfield will not require standardized tests for students applying for fall 2021 freshman admission.

  • UIC campus

    UIC is No. 3 in ‘Best Bang for the Buck’ ranking

    The University of Illinois Chicago stands out as one of the “Best Bang for the Buck” institutions in the Midwest, according to the 2020 edition of Washington Monthly’s annual College Guide and Rankings, which were released this week.

  • Illini graduates

    U of I System enrollment tops 90,000 for first time

    Enrollment grew across the University of Illinois System this fall, topping 90,000 students for the first time and setting a record for the eighth straight year despite the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Seal of Excelencia

    UIC earns ‘Seal of Excelencia’ for commitment to Latino students

    UIC has earned Excelencia in Education’s “Seal of Excelencia,” a national certification that recognizes colleges and universities for their “unwavering commitment to intentionally serve Latino students, while serving all.”

  • UIC campus

    UIC creates program for students with intellectual disabilities

    The University of Illinois Chicago announced a $2.5 million grant to develop an accredited postsecondary two-year certificate program aimed at preparing people with intellectual disabilities for employment opportunities.

  • Sarun “Mac” Chanprung

    Why this first-generation student chose UIC

    Sarun "Mac" Chanprungf from Buffalo Grove is the first in his family to graduate from college, earning his kinesiology degree close to home at University of Illinois Chicago.

  • Trey Harris walking on Quad

    Studying education at Illinois

    Trey Harris, EDU '21, decided to go to Illinois based on four factors: location, size, opportunity, and cost. Learn more about his college experience in Urbana-Champaign.

  • downtown Chicago at night

    iBSW Chicago Program

    This two-year program allows community college graduates to complete University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign BSW degrees while residing in Chicago, through a combination of hybrid and online courses and metropolitan-area based internships.

  • 3 campus images

    U of I System excels in online program rankings

    Online programs at all three universities in the University of Illinois System have been recognized in the 2021 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings. 

  • OUR CHICAGO, ABC7, skyline art

    New tech boot camps at UIC

    To meet the demand for cyber-security and coding professionals, the University of Illinois At Chicago and Fullstack Academy are rolling out a new tech boot camp. 

  • Mexican flag & I-MMAS logo

    New initiative to increase Mexican enrollment, partnerships

    U of I System President Tim Killeen recently launched an initiative to expand connections with Mexico, seeking to increase enrollment of Mexican students as well as academic and research partnerships with universities, government agencies and private industry in Mexico.

  • Ida B. Wells

    Ida B. Wells Scholarship Fund announced at UIC

    A new University of Illinois Chicago scholarship honoring the groundbreaking African American journalist and civil rights leader Ida B. Wells will serve Chicago Public Schools and Archdiocese of Chicago students.

  • Al Ronan at podium

    UIC Athletics announces third-largest endowed scholarship

    The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Athletics Department announced today a $250,000 commitment from football letter winner and two-time alumnus Al Ronan ('69 & '70) to establish the Al Ronan Family UIC Athletics Scholarship Fund.

  • woman on laptop on kitchen counter with two boys playing in background

    UIS adds new online degree programs and certificates

    The University of Illinois Springfield is offering students more options to advance their education online on their own schedule. Starting in fall 2021, several new fully online degrees and certificates will be added.

  • DPI aerial rendering

    DPI and UIC CHANCE Announce Expansion of Digital Scholars Program

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

  • two masked students studying on the quad

    Test-optional admissions extended for two more years

    The Executive Committee of the University of Illinois System Board of Trustees on Thursday approved a request by the three universities to allow high school students to apply for admission in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years without taking standardized tests.

  • Female student on laptop

    New virtual summer camp for high schoolers diagnosed with autism

    Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors at Illinois high schools who were diagnosed with autism and are considering attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign can explore and prepare for college life through a new virtual summer camp.

  • UIC students crowded around laptop at outdoor table

    $40M donation to support UIC first-gen and low-income students

    The University of Illinois Chicago is the recipient of a $40 million donation from philanthropist and novelist MacKenzie Scott. It is the largest gift from an individual in school history. The funds will provide life-changing support for first-generation and low-income students attending UIC.

  • Raymond Harshorne and James Plunkard in suits in front of office building

    UIC fellowship aimed at increasing diversity among architecture students

    Raymond Hartshorne and James Plunkard have committed $500,000 to the University of Illinois Chicago’s School of Architecture to create an endowed fellowship aimed at increasing diversity among students obtaining a UIC architecture education at the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts.

  • hands handling lab beakers

    $1.9M NSF-funded initiative to transform UIC undergraduate chemistry offerings

    Supported by a five-year, $1.9 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the University of Illinois Chicago department of chemistry will launch a project consisting of evidence-based research of teaching and learning practices, course and curriculum revisions and faculty development, all with the intention of enhancing STEM education for undergraduate students.

  • Students sitting in lounge talking

    Scholarship expands access to veterinary profession

    University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine today announced a new $500,000 scholarship to help advance diversity within the veterinary profession. The scholarship will be granted to students from underrepresented populations and those who have shown a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

  • Four Black students smiling around a table

    DuSable Scholars Program aims to increase number of students of color in STEM

    In an effort to bolster the number of Black and Latino students studying STEM-related fields, the University of Illinois Chicago has established a merit-based scholarship program within the College of Engineering and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

  • Latina students in caps and gowns

    $5M grant to support national initiative in Latino humanities studies

    The University of Illinois Chicago has been awarded a three-year, $5 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support a national initiative in Latino humanities studies called “Crossing Latinidades: Emerging Scholars and New Comparative Directions.”

  • hands typing on laptop

    UIS to offer four new affordable accelerated graduate programs

    The University of Illinois Springfield has a long history of excellence in online learning. UIS is proud to add four new, 100% online, accelerated graduate programs to the 52 graduate and undergraduate programs offered.

  • Asian students smiling holding a photo frame around their faces

    UIC awarded grant to support initiatives for Asian American and Pacific Islander students

    For the fourth time since 2010, the University of Illinois Chicago has received the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Minority-Serving Institutions program.

  • flowers in a field

    Environmental Leadership Program prepares students to be sustainability leaders

    The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is a cutting-edge program launched by the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The program is designed to prepare Illinois undergraduates for leadership roles in the sustainability field.

  • UIS quad and collonade

    UIS creates three new schools, adds degrees and minors

    The University of Illinois Springfield has created three new schools to better serve students and meet the needs of our Capital Region community, including the addition of new degrees and minors that are now open for enrollment. 

  • Asian student with UIC College of Medicine Rockford shirt

    UIC Nursing awards $500K in scholarships to diversify nursing workforce

    More than $500,000 in scholarships were awarded to 90 UIC Nursing students this academic year through two Health Resources and Services Administration grants intended to diversify the nursing workforce.

  • Business Instructional Facility at UIUC

    Gies Business partners with Google to prepare adult learners for career success

    Gies College of Business at UIUC is partnering with Google to prepare learners in the Google Career Certificate programs with critical business skills like leadership, teamwork, and strategic thinking.

  • UIC circle logo statue on campus

    $1.2M NIH grant backs UIC, Malcolm X College biomedical research program

    UIC and Malcolm X College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, have teamed up for a five-year, $1.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to support undergraduate students training in biomedical research during the last two years of their studies.

  • administrators posed in  front of Malcom X college and UIC banners

    UIC, City Colleges of Chicago to offer dual admission for BSN seekers

    UIC College of Nursing, UIC Extended Campus, and City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), will offer a dual-admissions pathway from the CCC Associate Degree in Nursing to UIC’s online RN to BSN degree-completion program.

  • Young black female smiling in front of buildings in Chicago

    New UIC fellowship aims to diversify architectural community

    Martina Smith is the first recipient of the Hartshorne and Plunkard Fellowship, a new annual award given to a UIC architecture graduate student which aims to diversify the talent pipeline into the architectural profession.

  • Alma mater statue in graduation gear

    UIUC a top producer of young executives in Midwest

    UIUC is listed as the No. 2 university producing young executives in the Midwest. Between 2011 and 2021, the university saw an increase from 2.4 percent to 5.9 percent of recent graduates working in an executive role. 

  • artist rendering of proposed DPI

    DPI's IWERC awarded $1M for computer science education research

    The Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC) at the Discovery Partners Institute has been awarded $1 million to research computer science education in Illinois with the aim of helping schools meet new statewide requirements and recruit more women and people of color into the major at Illinois universities.

  • Black man teaching at white board

    Preparing CPS educators to teach next generation of biomedical engineers

    The UIC College of Engineering and College of Education have received a $538,237 federal grant to continue a summer biomedical engineering program that has trained 27 Chicago Public Schools science teachers over the last five years.