Academic Affairs

Fall Kaplan All Access Orientation | Sept. 9

hbruc3 — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:38:01 +0000

Fall Kaplan All Access Orientation | Sept. 9 hbruc3 Wed, 08/20/2025 - 13:38

Join us to hear more about the Prepare for Illinois' Future Program powered by Kaplan All Access. This program has saved students in Illinois over $12,000,000 in out-of-pocket costs for Career Readiness and Test Preparation resources. Our partners with Kaplan are excited to announce that information orientation sessions—which have been specially designed for UIS faculty and staff—are available for registration!

Orientation Date

Tuesday, September 9 | 1 p.m. CST

Please note that registration is required to attend session.

During these sessions, you'll have the opportunity to:

Gain a deeper understanding of the available tools and support for your program area.
Discuss strategies for effectively utilizing Kaplan resources in your programs.
Ask questions about best practices for promotion.

Access Fall 2025 Assets

When

Tue, Sep 9 2025, 1 - 2pm Google Outlook iCal

Location

Virtual

Event Type

Employee

Faculty

Department

Academic Affairs

Fall Kaplan All Access Orientation | Aug. 21

hbruc3 — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:34:39 +0000

Fall Kaplan All Access Orientation | Aug. 21 hbruc3 Wed, 08/20/2025 - 13:34

Orientation Date

Thursday, August 21 | 9 a.m. CST

Please note that registration is required to attend session.

During these sessions, you'll have the opportunity to:

Gain a deeper understanding of the available tools and support for your program area.
Discuss strategies for effectively utilizing Kaplan resources in your programs.
Ask questions about best practices for promotion.

Access Fall 2025 Assets

When

Thu, Aug 21 2025, 9 - 10am

Location

Virtual

Event Type

Employee

Faculty

Department

Academic Affairs

Fall Kaplan All Access Orientations

hbruc3 — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:45:27 +0000

Fall Kaplan All Access Orientations hbruc3 Wed, 08/20/2025 - 11:45

Message from the Provost: Welcome to the new academic year!

hbruc3 — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:10:25 +0000

Message from the Provost: Welcome to the new academic year! hbruc3 Mon, 08/18/2025 - 16:10

Faculty Personnel Process FAQ

mkrof2 — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 19:12:10 +0000

Faculty Personnel Process FAQ mkrof2 Tue, 07/22/2025 - 14:12

Faculty participate in a number of personnel review processes, including reappointment, tenure, promotion, and post-tenure review. Please see the appropriate accordion menu below for responses to frequently asked questions about specific faculty personnel process procedures. Faculty with questions not answered here are welcome to submit additional questions (UIS login required). The FAQ will be updated as additional questions are received.

Digital Faculty Personnel Files: As a reminder full-time faculty personnel files are maintained and provided digitally. With 24/7 access, faculty no longer need to make an appointment or come to the Faculty Files Office to access their digital file (now available in Box).

Course Survey Reports: For questions about the Course Survey process, including information about how to access Course Survey Reports, please see the Course Survey FAQ page.

Link to the current Faculty Personnel Policy (FPP)

Access the current Academic Personnel Calendar (APC)

Annual Performance Reviews (APR)

How do I arrange for reviewers to access my faculty personnel file?

Reviewer access to the faculty personnel file is not a part of the Annual Performance Review (APR) process. Faculty submit their APR to uisfacultyfiles@uis.edu for inclusion in their permanent personnel file, and each college has its own process for making faculty reports available to reviewers. You may wish to consult with your UEO or Dean's Office for details.

Where do I find a copy of my cumulative evaluation/survey report?

Summary reports for archived course evaluation data (Fall 2024 courses and earlier), as well as summary reports from the Spring 2025 and later Course Survey app can be found in the appropriate folder in your digital faculty personnel file.

Faculty Awards

Where do I find faculty award guidelines and information about nomination procedures?

Faculty award guidelines for the current year are published by early Fall and can be found at https://uofi.box.com/s/2qjbezv8manvzpj470mlvt4el713koif. Please check the document date to be sure you are viewing the current year's guidelines, rather than the previous year's materials.

Faculty award nominations are accepted electronically at https://go.uis.edu/FacultyAwards by the date published in the Academic Personnel Calendar.The form will be active during the period when nominations are being accepted.

How do I obtain access to another faculty member's personnel file to prepare my nomination?

The faculty member will need to send an email to the Faculty Files Office (uisfacultyfiles@uis.edu) requesting that personnel file access be granted to a specific nominator for a specific date range.

How will I know when someone has been granted access to view my faculty personnel file?

After you have submitted a request for a nominator to access your file, the Faculty Files Custodian will add their name to the "Sign-in sheets" log and grant preview-only access. If permission for the nominator to download documents is specifically requested, the Faculty Files Custodian will provide viewer access.

Post-Tenure Review (PTR)

When will you share access to my PTR materials and/or faculty personnel file with the PTR Committee?

Full-time faculty have 24/7 access to their digital faculty personnel file in Box, as well as permission to download copies of documents from their file.

Reviewer access to faculty personnel files is not a part of the PTR process.

How do I obtain copies of APRs and APR recommendations for my PTR materials?

Full-time faculty have 24/7 access to their digital faculty personnel file in Box, as well as permission to download copies of documents from their file. If you experience issues accessing your personnel file, please contact uisfacultyfiles@uis.edu for assistance.

What is the timeline for the PTR process?

Here's a general overview of the PTR calendar:

September 1 - VCAA appoints representative to the PTR Committee
October 1 - PTR Faculty select PTR Committee representative and notify VCAA (provostvcaa@uis.edu) and Dean.
October 5 - Departments/Schools appointment faculty representative to PTR Committee and notify VCAA (provostvcaa@uis.edu), Deans, and faculty under review.
October 15 - PTR Faculty prepare and submit digital materials to Dean (copy to Dean's Administrative Assistant)
November 1 - Deans/Associate Deans convene PTR Committees
December 1 - PTR Committees meet with faculty under review to discuss PTR materials and gather information for PTR Report
February 1 - PTR COmmittee Chairs submit PTR Report to faculty under review, after having met with the faculty member and Dean to discuss
February 22 - PTR Faculty notify PTR Committee Chairs in writing off acceptance or rejection of PTR Report
March 1 - PTR Committee Chairs submit accepted PTR Reports and faculty responsees to UEOs, Deans, VCAA, and personnel files

See Academic Personnel Calendar for additional details.

Promotion - Nontenure-track

Promotion - Tenure-track

Reappointment (second- and fourth-year)

Sabbatical

Tenure

Message from the Provost: Reappointment of Faculty with Probationary Status

hbruc3 — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 19:59:47 +0000

Message from the Provost: Reappointment of Faculty with Probationary Status hbruc3 Mon, 07/21/2025 - 14:59

Annual Impact Report 2024-25

mkrof2 — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 14:56:55 +0000

Annual Impact Report 2024-25 mkrof2 Fri, 06/27/2025 - 09:56

Division of Academic Affairs
Annual Impact Report
2024-25

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost
Brandon Schwab

Provost Brandon Schwab serves as Chief Academic Officer and leads the Division of Academic Affairs, which is comprised of four academic colleges; the university library; graduate education; student success and undergraduate education; online, professional and engaged learning; institutional research and effectiveness; research and innovation; and information technology services. Provost Schwab also serves as chief administrative officer in the Chancellor's absence.

Celebrating our Collective Impact

We are pleased to share the inaugural Annual Impact Report for the Division of Academic Affairs at UIS. The report features some highlights from the 2024/25 academic year. It was indeed a busy year, and this collection is only a sampling of the great work and accomplishments from across the division. I am incredibly proud of the faculty and staff at UIS and their dedication to our students, no matter if they are on-ground, online, from Illinois or from around the world. Thank you, all!

By the Numbers

5
Provost's Open Hours
Sessions Hosted

12
Good Ideas funded
(of 23 proposals)

23
New Faculty Hired
(22 Fall + 1 Spring)

$41.6K
New Strategic Investment
Funds (SIF) awarded

Provost's Introduction
Table of Contents
Vice Provost and Graduate Education
Student Success and Undergraduate Education
Online, Professional, and Engaged Learning
Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Research and Innovation
College of Business and Management
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
College of Health, Science and Technology
College of Public Affairs and Education
University Library
Information Technology Services

Provost's Leadership Team at Summer 2025 Retreat
Lake Springfield Field Station

Vice Provost and Graduate Education
Cecilia Cornell

In addition to overseeing Graduate Education and Graduate Assistantships, Vice Provost and Director of Graduate Education Cecilia Cornell's portfolio includes the Center for State Policy and Leadership (CSPL), the Center for Lincoln Studies (CFLS), and Sangamon Experience (SE).

Transforming Learning and Discovery

Graduate Education launched a professional development pilot program for graduate assistants
CSPL & Office of Electronic Media (OEM) partnered with academic units to build the CHIME Lab (Communication & Humanities Innovative Media Environment)
OEM created a new digital audio/podcasting studio for students and staff

Milestones That Made a Difference

Illinois Innocence Project (IIP) freed two persons and exonerated seven
SE graduate assistant received the Russell Lewis Award and published her first article
CSPL staff and affiliated faculty published five academic articles and gave three conference presentations
CFLS was granted permanent status by IBHE
CSPL engaged 2000+ students and partners in experiential learning programs
Dr. Betsy Goulet received the Changemaker Award at the Global Health Summit
CFLS Director’s book The First Migrants received multiple awards

By the Numbers

1
New UIS CFLS
Faculty Fellowship

50+
CSPL research and
evaluation projects

67
Graduate Assistants
placed in units

800+
Wrongful conviction
awareness trainees

"Soil and Soul: Farming in the Sangamon River Valley"

UIS' Sangamon Experience documentary, "Soil & Soul: Farming in the Sangamon River Valley," was selected for screening at the April Farm to Film Fest in Washington, Iowa. The documentary tells the stories of ten individuals who have spent their lives farming throughout the Sangamon River Valley, an area encompassing approximately 1,500 square miles in central Illinois. Anne Moseley, director and curator of the Sangamon Experience, said the selection is a testament to the film’s impact in preserving the voices of local farmers: "highlighting the vital role they play in our region’s history and culture.”

“Soil & Soul” was produced by Rich Saal and Noah Sabich. Saal earned a master’s 69��app in history from UIS.

Building Community Connections

CFLS partnered with NPR Illinois, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM), the Illinois State Museum, and Juneteenth Inc. to offer the Beaumont Lincoln Legacy Lecture and Juneteenth public programming
CSPL worked with the Edgar Fellows to involve five UIS Students in the inaugural Capitol Connections Day
CSPL collaborated with Columbia College Chicago and the Chicago Sun-Times on the “Un-Debates” series
Sangamon Experience hosted its first Local History Check-In
CSPL & SE co-hosted a Civics Camp for high school students
CSPL evaluation projects netted approximately 12,000 survey responses

Scholarship and Creative Contributions

CFLS and the Department of History launched a digital mapping project on Black Springfield 1900-1910
CFLS partner Dr. Brian Mitchell presented on the Black Springfield Project at the Midwest History Conference
Radio That Listens to You exhibit: 50-year history of NPR Illinois created with SE and NPR Illinois
CFLS Book Series launched with publication of Lincoln the Citizen edited by Dr. Michael Burlingame

Laying Foundations for Future Impact

NPR Illinois exploring emergency alert infrastructure with the Governor’s Office
CSPL expanding digital literacy efforts with the Illinois Innovation Network
CFLS launched a Community Advisory Group to guide public engagement
CSPL & Brookens Library sustaining the Central Illinois Nonprofit Resource Center

Return to Table of Contents

Student Success and Undergraduate Education
Michael Roth

Associate Provost for Student Success and Undergraduate Education Michael Roth is responsible for Undergraduate Education, the Center for Academic Success and Advising (CASA), and the Capital Scholars Honors Program (CAP).

Shaping the Future of Learning

“Mobile Advising” launched in the Student Union for real-time student support
Supplemental Instruction expanded for high-demand Business courses
Banner/Eddie automation supports strategic Gen Ed and ECCE planning
Five new FYS courses approved; four articulated at UIC for nursing majors
Title III - LEAD-HIP Program: Five-year federally funded initiative to expand high impact practices (HIP), improve advising and academic support, and address DFW rates; grants supported student attendance at professional development conferences; and faculty engaged in Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) certification for teaching improvement
Advising - Created first comprehensive Advising Handbook with Athletics and college advisors
Course Scheduling - Ongoing collaboration with Records and Registration to improve course scheduling

"Citizenship in Action: Honors Students Connect with Community"

The Capital Scholars Honors Program reimagined its first-year writing curriculum to focus on engaged citizenship. Through “Citizenship Saturday,” students explored Springfield’s civic landmarks, engaged in service projects, and connected classroom learning to real-world impact. The event was supported by a $1,000 community donation and included tours, expert talks, and hands-on service.

“How can students truly practice citizenship without first-hand exposure to the broader community in which they live?”
— Dr. Katie Carlson, CAP Honors

By the Numbers

30+
Hosted at
Advising Summit

272
Students in First-Year
Seminar (FYS)

62%
Increase in
Learning Hub usage

785
Students in
Speaker Series (SS)

Celebrating Teaching and Scholarship

CASA Hub staff published and presented on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in writing centers
Katie Carlson, Marc Klingshirn, Elise LoBue: “Neighbors Outside, Inside, and Beyond the Classroom” – Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council
Elise LoBue: Presented refugee resilience research in Krakow, Poland
Elise Lobue: Selected "Best Instructor" - Observer 2024
Michael Roth: Modeling and Simulation of Everyday Things (2nd Ed., 2025)
Roth, Nikoley, Hunter: Mars simulation research published in The Compass

Return to Table of Contents

Online, Professional and Engaged Learning
Layne Morsch

As Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, Layne Morsch's portfolio includes the Center for Online Learning, Research and Service (COLRS), the Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE), the Office of Digital Accessibility (ODA), and the Office of Engaged Learning (OEL).

Leadership and Innovation

Award-Winning Staff: Taylor Lester (COLRS) received the 2025 Nova Award
Published: ODA & COLRS co-authored a chapter in Ensuring Equity, Access, and Inclusion in Digital Learning
Global Reach: OEL launched two new international exchange partnerships
AI Leadership: Faculty Fellows organized five Artificial Intelligence (AI) events, including the Day of AI with 400 high school students
Innovation in Accessibility: ODA launched six cross-campus working groups and two accessibility sprints

By the Numbers

14
Mentees + 13 mentors
in Guiding Lights

512+
Hours of video
remediated

273
Participated in student
internships and projects

20.5K+
Pages, PPT slides, Excel
sheets remediated

"Building a Culture of Digital Accessibility"

In 2025, the Office of Digital Accessibility (ODA) led a transformative initiative to embed accessibility into UIS’ digital fabric. The Digital Accessibility Leadership Team and working groups brought together voices from across the university to shape policy, improve training, and ensure inclusive digital experiences.

The Digital Accessibility Remediation Team (DART) scaled its impact dramatically—tripling its annual output. With over 512 hours of video and 20,000+ document pages remediated, the team empowered 110 faculty and staff to make their content accessible.

ODA’s collaboration with Student Affairs and Enrollment and Retention Management through targeted “accessibility sprints,” paired with daily Zoom office hours and co-led workshops with COLRS, is shifting the UIS culture toward one where accessibility is not an afterthought—but a shared responsibility.

Impacting the University Community

59 units served by DART
Daily Zoom office hours (COLRS/ODA)
Nine Accessibility Tips sessions and eight Fix-It Workshops

Fostering Faculty Excellence

17 faculty development sessions with 173 attendees
33 institutions engaged in the regional faculty development network

Expanding Global and Experiential Learning

Two new international exchange partnerships established
20 students engaged in study away programs
8% growth in study away and internship participation

Return to Table of Contents

Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Michele Gribbins

Associate Provost for Institutional Research and Effectiveness Michele Gribbins provides vision and leadership for Institutional Research, Assessment, Accreditation, Institutional Effectiveness, and Strategic Planning and Decision Support.

Strengthening Access to Institutional Insight

Enhanced UIS Data Book resources
Improved access to visual data with 20+ UI System Dashboards
Clarified institutional language by introducing the UIS Acronym Guide
Provided regular updates on key Projects & Initiatives on the new OIRE website
Encouraged stakeholder engagement via an anonymous feedback form

Advancing Leadership and Impact

Michele Gribbins named an Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Fellow, one of the highest honors in online education, and served on the organizing committee for the inaugural Illinois Online Higher Education Symposium
Matt Suda joined UIS as Director of Institutional Research, strengthening the university’s capacity for evidence-based decision-making
Carrie Allen collaborated with the General Education Council to review 205 syllabi and develop a general education curriculum map

By the Numbers

18
Assessment & Program
Review unit meetings

5
Assurance of Student
Learning presentations

24
Academic Program
Reviews completed

550+
Satisfaction Survey
responses collected

"From Data to Direction - Launching OIRE"

In August 2024, UIS launched the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness (OIRE) to advance strategic priorities through comprehensive institutional research, assessment, institutional effectiveness, and accreditation activities. Under the leadership of Dr. Michele Gribbins, OIRE has quickly become a cornerstone of institutional planning and improvement. From leading the Academic Portfolio Review to submitting a student-centered HLC Quality Initiative, OIRE is helping to inform decisions and promote institutional and student success.

“In its first year, OIRE is helping shape a more strategic, insight-driven future for UIS.”

— Dr. Michele Gribbins, Associate Provost

Collaborative Academic Planning and Prioritization

Noah Reynolds and Michele Gribbins co-led the Academic Portfolio Review Task Force, composed of 13 faculty, staff, and students
The task force met weekly from November 2024 to January 2025 to develop holistic evaluation criteria and prioritization metrics
Data collection and scoring was conducted during Spring–Summer 2025, laying the groundwork for informed academic planning

Accreditation in Action: HLC Quality Initiative

Conducted one institutional survey and seven focus groups to gather input on potential initiative topics
Steering committee of 12 faculty, staff, and students refined the topic and develop the proposal
In May 2025, the Higher Learning Commission approved the proposal: "Strengthening Advising to Promote Student Success"
Planning efforts underway for two-year project to improve advising structures and enhance student outcomes as part of our Open Pathway accreditation process

Return to Table of Contents

Research and Innovation
Lucía Vázquez

Lucía Vázquez, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, oversees research administration, intellectual property, conflicts of commitment and interest arising from sponsored research, and innovation initiatives.

Advancing Research Innovation

First-ever Grant Writing Sprint launched in August 2024 with eight faculty participants
New NIA Award (course buyout) created to support competitive grant proposal development
Monthly Newsletters launched in October 2024
19 workshops offered in Fall 2024 on Institutional Review Board (IRB), grants, and Report of Non-University Activity (RNUA)
IRB Review Activity: 48 new protocols, 20 amendments, three continuations
73 new proposals submitted
Student Technology, Arts, & Research Symposium (STARS) participation up this year

By the Numbers

38
Faculty supported
for conference travel

134
STARS student
presenters (up 250%)

47
New awards
secured

$20.7M
External funding
(up 11.2% from FY24)

"Advancing Excellence Through Research and Innovation"

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs champions faculty, staff, and student innovation by providing expert guidance, funding support, and ethical oversight. Scholars are supported at every stage – from idea to impact – through grant development, compliance, and strategic resources. The mission is clear: to cultivate a vibrant, inclusive research community that drives progress and elevates our institution’s global research profile.

Connecting and Collaborating

Sustainability/Climate Change Group: Organized a session at the Sustainability Research and Innovation (SRI) Congress 2025
Human Health Group: Engaged 20+ faculty across all four colleges
Corporate & Alumni Partnerships: Exploring collaborations with the Office of Advancement
Interdisciplinary Research Groups: Expanding participation and impact
GrantForward Profiles: Personalized funding alerts for faculty
Mentorship Programs: Supporting early-career researchers through structured guidance

Return to Table of Contents

College of Business and Management
Dean Som Bhattacharya

The College of Business and Management is comprised of the departments of Accounting, Economics and Finance (AEF), Management Information Systems (MIS), and Management, Marketing and Operations (MMO).

Faculty-Driven Innovation

Serkan Karadas and Tammy Schlosky collaborated on a Bloomberg Finance Lab
Atul Agarwal’s “Museum of Defective Products” showcases Total Quality Management through Fortune 500 product failure
Salem Boumediene’s Accounting Cycle Simulation reduced DFWI rates
Siddharth Upadhyay launched a new AI in Human Resource Management course

Global and Industry Connections

Yaz Gulnur Muradoglu was interviewed for The Investor
Matthew Brown led a public education project on American relationships with Asian nations
William Kline invited many prolific speakers to UIS including Mitch Daniels, Brent Hasse, John Chisolm, Dan Mitchell, and Alex Tokarev
Mohammed Mohi Uddin completed sabbatical research with global non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

By the Numbers

3
Major competitions
hosted or advised

50+
Faculty
presentations

7+
AI-driven faculty
teaching innovations

$200K
External
grant funding

"AI In Action - Teaching, Research, and Real-World Impact"

From classrooms to boardrooms, the College of Business and Management is leading the charge in integrating artificial intelligence into business education. Faculty like Tei-wei Wang and Vaibhav Mishra are using tools like Gemini and AI-generated simulations to make learning more interactive and industry-relevant. Meanwhile, Bellraj Eapen’s collaboration with the U.S. Navy and Neetu Singh’s work with the AI Campus Learning Community show how CBM is shaping the future of ethical, applied AI.

Leadership and Professional Service

Xiaoqing Li selected to host the MWAIS 2027 conference
Neetu Singh led students to 13th place in the global SAS Curiosity Cup
Hasan Kartal recognized as Software AG Certified ARIS Modeler Associate
Rishikesh Sahay received U of I Research Board grant
Shipra Gupta awarded High-Impact Practice development grant
Md Rasel Al Mamun received Research Faculty Mentor Award at Student Technology, Arts, & Research Symposium (STARS)
Yuan Wen: Editorial Board, Marketing Intelligence & Planning
Yaz Gulnur Muradoglu: Editor-in-Chief, Review of Behavioural Finance
Salem Boumediene: Guest Editor, Journal of Forensic Accounting Research

Publication Areas

Post-Acquisition Performance
Digital Forensics
Investor Psychology
Cybersecurity & Phishing Avoidance
Conversational AI & User Experience
Blockchain & Corporate Innovation
Lean Manufacturing
Political Finance
Business Intelligence & Decision Support
Internal Governance & Controls

Return to Table of Contents

College of Health, Science and Technology
Dean Travis Bland

The Department of Computer Science (CSC), the Department of Mathematical Sciences and Philosophy (MSP), the Department of Psychology (PSY), the School of Health Sciences (HSC), and the School of Integrated Sciences, Sustainability and Public Health (ISP) - including the Lake Springfield Field Station and the Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon - make up the College of Health, Science and Technology.

Faculty Innovation

Big Research Data Hub by Sunshin Lee supports large-scale social data analysis
CHST faculty presented at the 2025 Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress (SRI)
Artist-in-Residence Program launched at Emiquon Field Station
Goutham Reddy Alavalapati organized a Krasan-sponsored hackathon
Xiang Huang contributed to a molecular programming textbook
CHST Faculty are exploring new 69��app pathways at events like the Engineering Summit

Community and Civic Engagement

Illinois Public Health Advocacy through the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) Student Day of Advocacy and Lenore Killiam and Brian Chen’s leadership on the IPHA board
John Ferry’s CHE 302 students conduct environmental testing with Sierra Club
Day of AI for area high school students and Nurse for a Day immersive experience
STEAM CareerSpark Expo and Central Illinois STEM Fair booths
Emiquon Field Station field trips for high schools
Joshua Smith and Brian Rogers mentor FIRST Robotics Team 4156

By the Numbers

40+
Student research
projects at STARS

$1M+
External
grant funding

342
Students on
Dean's List

11B+
Tweets collected for
Big Research Data Hub

Faculty Excellence

Natalya Zinkevich: Pearson Faculty Award
Kyle Blount: Early Career Scholarship Award
Hei-Chi Chan, Robin Vansacik, Yifei Li, Rick Stokes, and Elham Buxton were CHST Award Recipients
Megan Styles (study away), Tia Bolívar (internships), Hei-Chi Chan (capstone redesign) received High-Impact Practices Grants
Strategic Investment Fund: Artificial intelligence and data analytics center

"CHST_NEXT - Building the Future of Health, Science and Technology"

The CHST_NEXT initiative is transforming the student experience through strategic innovation in the College. With redesigned 69��app plans, behaviorally informed advising, and cutting-edge ed tech and lab infrastructure, CHST is preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow. Faculty are integrating real-world research—like Kyle Blount’s urban hydrology studies—directly into the curriculum, ensuring students graduate with both knowledge and impact.

Environmental Leadership

Amy McEuen: Springfield Urban Forestry Commission
Megan Styles: Lincoln Memorial Garden
Kyle Blount: AGU Ecohydrology Committee
Tih-Fen Ting: Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board

Student Highlights

Noah Reynolds supports Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) students in biology research at UIS
Psi Chi/Psychology Club led a food drive, fundraiser, and a DEI trivia event
AI-Powered Student Leadership Bootcamp to enhance AI literacy, skills, and ethical know-how

Externally-Funded Projects

Kyle Blount: Urban ecohydrology (NSF GEO-EMBRACE)
Elham Buxton: GPU infrastructure for deep learning (NSF NAIRR)
Anne-Marie Hanson, Hei-Chi Chan, Neetu Singh, and Chrissy Miller: Circular Economy Simulator (Illinois Innovation Network)
Tih-Fen Ting: Osprey Recovery (US Fish & Wildlife Service)
Pattie Piotrowski, Brian Chen, Suyang Yu, and Hei-Chi Chan: Open Educational Resources (Illinois Secretary of State)
Yanhui Guo: WeiboCenso Insight (Open Technology Fund)
Natalya Zinkevich: via SIU School of Medicine (NIH R15 Grant)

Publication Areas

Prairie soil bacteria
Urban air temperature analysis
Vascular pharmacology
tRNA’s role in mistranslation
Climate justice and sustainability
Applied machine learning
Pediatric telehealth
COVID-19 rehab
Mindfulness in classrooms
Addiction education and grading tools
Blockchain, quantum security, Internet of Things (IoT)
AI, cybersecurity, and medical imaging
Chemical reaction networks

Return to Table of Contents

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Dean Miriam Wallace

Units in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences include the departments of Art, Music, & Theatre (AMT), Counseling and Social Work (CSW), English (ENG), History (HIS), Sociology/Anthropology (SOA), and the Institute for Race, Gender, Sexuality and Social Justice (IRG).

Creative Impact

Brytton Bjorngaard organized an exhibition on Reflections of Resistance: Black Photography
Allison Lacher curated multiple exhibits with Kidzeum and the Illinois State Museum
Shane Harris launched Throwing Thursdays, opening the ceramics studio to the UIS community
Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson and Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson performed in many regional theatre productions

Community and Policy Engagement

Jay Gilliam participated in the City of Springfield grant to develop a Teem Empowerment Zone
Ryan Williams featured on many live TV broadcasts as a crime and policing expert
Leanne Brecklin served as Interim President of the Board of Directors for the Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault
Devin Hunter and Lesa Johnson contributed to the collaboration effort of the two-day “Journeys to Justice” symposium
Holly Thompson served on the Massey Commission Workgroup
Tiffany Nielson served as Past Chair of Memorial Behavioral Health Board of Directors

By the Numbers

1
Mental Health/Wellness
CEU event hosted

10+
Faculty and student
performances

3
Telly Awards for public
services video production

15+
Publications, translations,
and creative works

"Humanities in the Age of AI"

In an innovative collaboration under the NEH-funded “Spotlight on Humanities” grant, four UIS faculty (Donna Bussell, Stephanie Hedge, Elizabeth Kosmetatou, and Neeraj Rajasekar) joined peers at other institutions to enhance liberal arts curriculum to prepare students to think critically and ethically in an AI-driven world. From plug-and-play Canvas modules to chatbot-assisted Holocaust education to critical discourse analysis, this initiative exemplifies the college’s leadership in integrating technology with humanistic inquiry.

Faculty Excellence

Lan Dong shortlisted for the 2025 Comics Studies Society Article Prize
Peter Shapinsky’s published research is forthcoming in The New Cambridge History of Japan
Yona Stamatis featured in the short-form video “Music of Hope”, which won a Mid-America Emmy
Meg Cass’ “Pink Rats” selected for Best Small Fictions 2024 and Wigleaf Top Flash 50
Stephanie Hedge and Donna Bussell trained IL legislative aides on “plain language”
Sara Lupita Olivares was a finalist for the Colorado Poetry Prize
Dathan Powell participated in the Doris Duke Foundation and the UIUC SHIFT programs
Livia Woods’ students contributed to the Covid Narrative project

Student Success

Cicely Flynn: Mayor’s Award for Exceptional Arts Student
Jordan Matthews: Illinois Health Practice Alliance (IHPA) Diversity Internship at Carle Health
Nicos Soares: Accepted to MS in Biostatistics at University of Washington
C.J. Campbell: Accepted to English MA at University of Central Florida

Return to Table of Contents

College of Public Affairs and Education
Interim Dean Miriam Wallace

The College of Public Affairs and Education includes the Department of Legal Studies, the School of Education, the School of Communication and Media, the School of Public Management and Policy, and the School of Politics and International Affairs.

Innovation and Impact

$744K+ evaluation project for Illinois Criminal Justice Information Agency (Ty Dooley, Bob Blankenberger, Ken Kriz, Travis Bland, Matt Sprong, and Junfeng Wang)
$60K Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA)-funded study on COVID-19’s impact on local government revenues (Rick Funderberg)

Engagement

School of Public Management and Policy hosted the biennial Railsplitter’s Event honoring non-profit and for-profit public policy and administrative leadership
School of Communication and Media developed new interdisciplinary communication curriculum launching Fall 2025
Aspiring Educators Chapter launched at UIS
CPAE Advisory Board was revived and increased engagement with students, faculty, and alumni

By the Numbers

3+
International
collaborations

350+
High school students
engaged

100+
Trained in
Restorative Practices

$1.25M
Grant funding
secured

“Model United Nations Earns Top Honors”

UIS’ Model United Nations (Model UN) team earned top honors at the 2025 National Model United Nations Conference in New York, receiving the Outstanding Delegation award for their representation of Slovenia. The program, led by Dr. Brandon Bolte, equips students with skills in diplomacy, public speaking, and policy analysis through immersive simulations and global collaboration. Participants study international issues, represent diverse nations, and engage with peers from around the world. This achievement underscores the program’s role in preparing students for leadership in global affairs and reflects UIS’ dedication to experiential learning and academic distinction.

Global and Strategic Partnerships

Hanfu Mi spent a year as a Fulbright Scholar in Jordan
Brazil-Illinois Collaboration for joint research projects, faculty exchanges, and doctoral internships
Ty Dooley and Priyanka Deo expanded academic partnerships in India in communication and public administration
Vision 2030 & Illinois Principals Association Conference hosted at UIS

Faculty Excellence

Jason Piscia selected by Governor J.B. Pritzker to serve on the Local Journalism Taskforce
Isabel Skinner, Matthew Geras, and Brandon Bolte moderated panels and educational events before and after the presidential election
Beth Ribarsky received two Top Papers and a Top Panel award at the 2025 Central States Communication Association annual conference
Isabel Skinner, Matthew Geras, and Brandon Bolte moderated panels and educational events before and after the presidential election
Beth Hatt and Ann Strahle selected for the HERS Leadership Institute

Scholarly Impact

Richard Gilman-Opalsky wrote two books on utopianism and political theory
Jae Sik Ha published the “Landscape of Election Coverage” in U.S. Newspapers & Broadcasting
Helen Brandon published on equity in STEM in American Journal of STEM Education
Jennifer Martin’s sabbatical project combined social emotional learning and memoir writing
Deborah Anthony authored a parents’ naming rights article in Race, Gender & Social Justice
Richard Funderburg wrote about fossil fuel plant closures in Illinois Municipal Policy Journal
Beverly Bunch contributed to a police community advisory council study with the Center for State Policy and Leadership

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University Library
Dean Pattie Piotrowski

The University Library supports teaching, learning and community at 69��app Springfield.

Library Commons

Construction begins Summer 2025
Opening planned for FY28
Designed to serve as a modern, collaborative learning hub with integrated educational spaces

Open Access and Affordability

New transformational agreements with publishers provide Article Processing Charge (APC) waivers for faculty
Contractual agreements for resources negotiated through the UI System, and partnerships with the Consortium of Academic and Research libraries in Illinois (CARLI), and the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) resulted in cost savings on subscriptions and expanded access
OER Grant: $102,668 awarded for projects in public health, computer science, and mathematics that increase affordable materials available to students

Staff Highlights

Librarian Mallory Jallas co-authored two chapters in Student Success Librarianship (March 2025), and one article in Journal of the Medical Library Association (Oct 2024), which was awarded 3rd Place, IACRL People’s Choice Award (May 2025)
Senior Library Specialists Carol Reese, acquisitions, and Pamela Scott, course reserves, each reached 30 Years of Service
University Librarian Pattie Piotrowski served as the Vice Chair of CARLI, and in July 2025 will begin her term as chair

Student Engagement

Events like Banned Book Celebration, Mini-Golf, Movie Nights, and Blind Date with a Book drew over 600 students
Provided extended hours during midterms and finals, featuring “Coffee, Cocoa, and Cereal” to power student success
“Potting a Plant Study Buddy”, “Create a Junk Journal”, and other creative programs supported student well-being

By the Numbers

1
Library Commons
opening FY28

$102K
Open Education
Resources Grant

600+
Students engaged
in Library events

2
Staff recognized
for 30 years of service

"Facing the Future"

As we prepare for the new Library Commons, faculty and staff at Brookens Library are intentionally designing services, spaces, and collections to encourage discovery, foster creativity, and encourage collaboration at every level. Libraries curate collections, engage communities, and build partnerships across all disciplines. Academic libraries don’t just store and provide access to information, but they contribute to the teaching and learning that enables content creation and transformative knowledge.

“At Brookens Library, we believe that every interaction we engage in, every service point we provide, and every resource we acquire will connect people and ideas on campus that will positively impact local and global communities.”

- Pattie Piotrowski, Dean, University Library

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Information Technology Services
Tulio Llosa

Information Technology Services (ITS) advances the mission of UIS by ensuring reliable core systems and network infrastructure, excellent technology support, and promoting and assisting technology integration into the curriculum and business processes.

Custom App Development

UIS Mobile App enhanced with digital IDs, push notifications, and student success tools
Dynamic Course Schedule App: Real-time seat availability, textbook info, and bookstore links
Course Survey App: Redesigned for Spring 2025 with improved user experience and reporting
Employee Onboarding App Pilot: Streamlined new employee connections by integrating with Banner and HR Front End (HRFE) to automate onboarding tasks and notifications
Medical Lab Science Portal: Streamlined admissions and onboarding for MLS students
Lab Supply App: Tracks lab materials requests and approvals
Campus Rec App: Replaced Fusion, saving costs and adding features
CHST Annual Performance Review App: Streamlined faculty review process
Cost Study App: Redesigned to support Institutional Research (IR) reporting to the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE)

By the Numbers

1
Mobile credential
launched

100%
Instructional computers
upgraded to Windows 11

1
New Employee
Onboarding App piloted

$100K+
Savings: Apps developed,
infrastructure cleanup

"Apps that Empower - Building a Smarter UIS"

ITS is enhancing UIS operations by building custom applications that replace costly vendor tools, streamline workflows, and improve user experience. From the Annual Performance Review App designed for CHST faculty to the New Employee Onboarding App (in partnership with Human Resources), ITS is delivering solutions that are tailored, efficient, and scalable. These innovations not only save money but also empower faculty, staff, and students with tools that work for them.

“ITS does more than support technology; we build solutions that allow our campus partners to better serve the UIS community.”
- Tulio Llosa, CIO and Associate Provost of Information Technology

Strategic Projects

Internal IT audit completed in FY24; FY25 focused on implementing security and transparency recommendations
Team Dynamix expanded from help desk to full project management platform
SLA App launched to manage hosting, backups, and billing with full stakeholder visibility
Phone line cleanup completed; preparing for cloud phone migration
Windows 10 devices to be removed from network by October 2025

Infrastructure and Security

Firewall, virtual private network (VPN), and router replaced to enhance network security
Server racks secured with PIN-locked cabinets and access logs
Change Control App and service-level agreement (SLA) App launched for transparency and accountability

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Thanks for Reading

This report provides a snapshot of the dedication and collaboration across Academic Affairs. We look forward to building on our successes and embracing new opportunities in the year ahead. Feedback on the report is welcome via the "contact us" link below.

- Provost Brandon Schwab

The Academic Affairs Annual Impact Report is published by the Office of the Provost
The report covers Fall 2024 through Summer 2025

Meet the Provost's Leadership Team

Meet the Provost's Office Staff

Invite the Provost

mkrof2 — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 13:43:44 +0000

Invite the Provost mkrof2 Wed, 06/11/2025 - 08:43

Thank you for your interest in inviting Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost Brandon E. Schwab to your event. The Provost's staff carefully reviews all event requests and fulfills them based on his availability.

Depending on the nature and timing of your request, we may recommend another Academic Affairs leader to attend and/or speak at your event if the Provost is not available.
As the Provost's calendar fills quickly, we suggest completing the Invite the Provost request form at least six weeks in advance of the event.
If the selection of the event date and time may be dependent upon the Provost's availability, please contact Monica Kroft to check on his availability before completing the request form.

Complete an Invite the Provost request form

Monica Kroft

mkrof2 — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 17:20:16 +0000

Monica Kroft mkrof2 Mon, 06/09/2025 - 12:20

Monica Kroft
Executive Advisor to the Provost

Email Monica Kroft

Areas of Responsibility

The Executive Advisor delivers confidential executive support to the VCAA/Provost and Provost's Leadership Team, oversees the Faculty Files Office and support staff team, and administers online faculty hiring processes.

Biography

Monica Kroft is the Executive Advisor to the Provost at 69��app Springfield. In this role, she facilitates daily operations of the Office of the Provost, manages the support staff team, provides overall coordination of the Provost’s activities, and supports the Deans and Directors Council. Monica’s more than 15 years of experience at UIS began in the Office of Human Resources, where she served as Assistant to the HR Director and managed HR business processes before joining the Provost's Office in 2011. Monica is energized by collaborating with others to identify areas in need of improvement, bringing together subject matter experts to brainstorm and problem solve, and implementing/operationalizing new policies and procedures using a wide array of tools (FormBuilder is a favorite for process automation).

Monica earned an M.A. in Communication from UIS and appreciates the many opportunities for engagement and professional development available through the university.

last updated 2025-6-10

Lucía Vázquez

mkrof2 — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:24:56 +0000

Lucía Vázquez mkrof2 Mon, 06/09/2025 - 11:24

Lucía Vázquez
Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation

Email Lucia Vazquez

Areas of Responsibility

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation oversees research administration, intellectual property, conflicts of commitment and interest arising from sponsored research, and innovation initiatives.

Academic Affairs

Fall Kaplan All Access Orientation | Sept. 9

Orientation Date

Fall Kaplan All Access Orientation | Aug. 21

Orientation Date

Fall Kaplan All Access Orientations

Message from the Provost: Welcome to the new academic year!

Faculty Personnel Process FAQ

Annual Performance Reviews (APR)

How do I arrange for reviewers to access my faculty personnel file?

Where do I find a copy of my cumulative evaluation/survey report?

Faculty Awards

Where do I find faculty award guidelines and information about nomination procedures?

How do I obtain access to another faculty member's personnel file to prepare my nomination?

How will I know when someone has been granted access to view my faculty personnel file?

Post-Tenure Review (PTR)

When will you share access to my PTR materials and/or faculty personnel file with the PTR Committee?

How do I obtain copies of APRs and APR recommendations for my PTR materials?

What is the timeline for the PTR process?

Promotion - Nontenure-track

Promotion - Tenure-track

Reappointment (second- and fourth-year)

Sabbatical

Tenure

Message from the Provost: Reappointment of Faculty with Probationary Status

Annual Impact Report 2024-25

Division of Academic AffairsAnnual Impact Report2024-25

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and ProvostBrandon Schwab

Celebrating our Collective Impact

By the Numbers

5Provost's Open HoursSessions Hosted

12Good Ideas funded(of 23 proposals)

23New Faculty Hired(22 Fall + 1 Spring)

$41.6K New Strategic Investment Funds (SIF) awarded

Table of Contents

Vice Provost and Graduate EducationCecilia Cornell

Transforming Learning and Discovery

Milestones That Made a Difference

By the Numbers

1 New UIS CFLS Faculty Fellowship

50+CSPL research andevaluation projects

67Graduate Assistants placed in units

800+Wrongful conviction awareness trainees

"Soil and Soul: Farming in the Sangamon River Valley"

Building Community Connections

Scholarship and Creative Contributions

Laying Foundations for Future Impact

Student Success and Undergraduate EducationMichael Roth

Shaping the Future of Learning

"Citizenship in Action: Honors Students Connect with Community"

By the Numbers

30+Hosted at Advising Summit

272Students in First-Year Seminar (FYS)

62%Increase in Learning Hub usage

785Students in Speaker Series (SS)

Celebrating Teaching and Scholarship

Online, Professional and Engaged LearningLayne Morsch

Leadership and Innovation

By the Numbers

14 Mentees + 13 mentors in Guiding Lights

512+ Hours of video remediated

273 Participated in student internships and projects

20.5K+ Pages, PPT slides, Excelsheets remediated

"Building a Culture of Digital Accessibility"

Impacting the University Community

Fostering Faculty Excellence

Expanding Global and Experiential Learning

Institutional Research and EffectivenessMichele Gribbins

Strengthening Access to Institutional Insight

Advancing Leadership and Impact

By the Numbers

18Assessment & ProgramReview unit meetings

5Assurance of StudentLearning presentations

24Academic ProgramReviews completed

550+Satisfaction Surveyresponses collected

"From Data to Direction - Launching OIRE"

Collaborative Academic Planning and Prioritization

Accreditation in Action: HLC Quality Initiative

Research and InnovationLucía Vázquez

Advancing Research Innovation

Division of Academic Affairs
Annual Impact Report
2024-25

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost
Brandon Schwab

5
Provost's Open Hours
Sessions Hosted

12
Good Ideas funded
(of 23 proposals)

23
New Faculty Hired
(22 Fall + 1 Spring)

$41.6K
New Strategic Investment
Funds (SIF) awarded

Vice Provost and Graduate Education
Cecilia Cornell

1
New UIS CFLS
Faculty Fellowship

50+
CSPL research and
evaluation projects

67
Graduate Assistants
placed in units

800+
Wrongful conviction
awareness trainees

Student Success and Undergraduate Education
Michael Roth

30+
Hosted at
Advising Summit

272
Students in First-Year
Seminar (FYS)

62%
Increase in
Learning Hub usage

785
Students in
Speaker Series (SS)

Online, Professional and Engaged Learning
Layne Morsch

14
Mentees + 13 mentors
in Guiding Lights

512+
Hours of video
remediated

273
Participated in student
internships and projects

20.5K+
Pages, PPT slides, Excel
sheets remediated

Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Michele Gribbins

18
Assessment & Program
Review unit meetings

5
Assurance of Student
Learning presentations

24
Academic Program
Reviews completed

550+
Satisfaction Survey
responses collected

Research and Innovation
Lucía Vázquez

38
Faculty supported
for conference travel

134
STARS student
presenters (up 250%)

47
New awards
secured

$20.7M
External funding
(up 11.2% from FY24)

College of Business and Management
Dean Som Bhattacharya

3
Major competitions
hosted or advised

50+
Faculty
presentations

7+
AI-driven faculty
teaching innovations

$200K
External
grant funding

College of Health, Science and Technology
Dean Travis Bland

40+
Student research
projects at STARS

$1M+
External
grant funding

342
Students on
Dean's List

11B+
Tweets collected for
Big Research Data Hub

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Dean Miriam Wallace

1
Mental Health/Wellness
CEU event hosted

10+
Faculty and student
performances

3
Telly Awards for public
services video production

15+
Publications, translations,
and creative works

College of Public Affairs and Education
Interim Dean Miriam Wallace

3+
International
collaborations

350+
High school students
engaged

100+
Trained in
Restorative Practices

$1.25M
Grant funding
secured

University Library
Dean Pattie Piotrowski

1
Library Commons
opening FY28

$102K
Open Education
Resources Grant

600+
Students engaged
in Library events

2
Staff recognized
for 30 years of service

Information Technology Services
Tulio Llosa

1
Mobile credential
launched