Illinois Featured Content

Gerald Wilson, the university’s Director of Entrepreneurship, speaks from behind a podium and potted plants

Entrepreneurs from around the country return to campus for inaugural ‘Founders Week’

Oct 30, 2024 10:15 am

'Our network of innovators, inventors, and entrepreneurs is second to none,' said Vice Chancellor for Research Susan Martinis. 'We’re working hard to keep them connected to Illinois, even if their career takes them all around the country.'

students walk on the Bardeen Quad in autumn. Photo by Michelle Hassel

Illinois Commitment expands eligibility for tuition-free college to more families

Oct 29, 2024 9:45 am

the threshold to be eligible for Illinois Commitment — a financial aid program that provides free tuition and fees for in-state students — has been increased from $67,100 to $75,000.

Kelvin K. Droegemeier presents at the International Climate Computer Summit. Photo credit: Darrell Hoemann.

Building a 'large hadron collider for climate change' – together

Oct 17, 2024 8:45 am

'When combined with AI and machine learning, these Earth System Models are poised to transform our understanding of the global Earth system and vastly improve our ability to project future climate states,' said Kelvin Droegemeier, summit chair.

Steve Maren stands in the atrium of the U of I's Beckman Institute

Steve Maren to lead Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology

Jul 31, 2024 3:45 pm

Steve Maren, a neuroscientist who studies the neurobiology of emotional learning and memory, will become the next director of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at Illinois.

Grainger Engineering Associate Dean for Research and Founder Professor Harley Johnson has been tapped as the inaugural director of this massive transformational project seeded by $500 million in state funding, plus significant additional federal and industry support.

U of I Engineers to lead Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, shape the future of quantum computing

Jul 26, 2024 12:45 pm

'This park represents a new step in quantum innovation that Grainger engineers and scientists are perfectly suited to scale up by bringing together ... universities and national labs, as well as state and local government,”

W. Brooke Elliott has been selected as dean of Gies College of Business. Photo courtesy Gies College of Business

Elliott named new dean of Gies College of Business

Jul 9, 2024 12:00 pm

W. Brooke Elliott has been selected as dean of Gies College of Business and the Josef and Margot Lakonishok Professor in Business, pending approval by the U. of I. Board of Trustees. Until officially approved, her title will be dean of Gies College of Business and Josef and Margot Lakonishok Professor in Business designate. The appointment will begin Aug. 16.

From left: Beth Conerty, iFAB regional innovation officer, with Nicole Bateman and Carly McCrory-McKay from the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. Photo credit: Anna Longworth Photography

iFAB awarded $51 million federal grant to propel Central Illinois as biomanufacturing leader

Jul 2, 2024 9:45 am

The iFAB Tech Hub will receive a Phase 2 Implementation grant to position Central Illinois as a global leader in biomanufacturing and precision fermentation, supporting national security, economic growth, and job generation.

Altgeld Hall at the University of Illinois

U of I joins group to advance civic preparedness, uphold free expression on campuses

Apr 18, 2024 4:45 pm

Member institutions agree to three 'civic commitments': Educating for democracy is central to our mission; We will prepare our students for a vibrant, diverse, and contentious society; and We will protect and defend free inquiry.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker shakes hands with Chancellor Jones at the podium of the March 4, 2024, press conference at the U of I

$680M commitment to iFAB will help Illinois become 'the heart of biomanufacturing'

Mar 4, 2024 12:45 pm

'With the U.S. Economic Development Authority's support, we can lock in thousands of jobs and secure billions in market potential,' said iFAB principal investigator Beth Conerty.

Labor leader’s legacy extends beyond the movement to here on campus

Feb 2, 2024 1:45 pm

Over the course of Reuben Soderstrom's life, 1888-1970, the United States saw the most dramatic changes to how we work in our history—and he had a front-row seat.

Matt Ballinger is the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s next executive director of public safety and chief of police, pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Photo provided by Division of Public Safety.

Ballinger to lead U of I Division of Public Safety, serve as police chief

Jan 10, 2024 11:00 am

'Chief Ballinger has clearly demonstrated a strong commitment to our university. His detailed knowledge and dedication to public engagement helps him advocate for the safety needs of our entire university community.'

State of the University, 2023

Dec 5, 2023 1:15 pm

'There is no other institution in this state that has the capacity, the vision to translate our missions of teaching and learning, discovery and public engagement into real, measurable and positive impact for the citizens of our state and beyond.'

Institute for Condensed Matter Theory renamed for Sir Anthony Leggett

Nov 6, 2023 8:30 am

The Physics department has introduced the Anthony J. Leggett Institute for Condensed Matter Theory in a celebration featuring the 2003 Nobel Prize Award winner and current John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Chair Emeritus in Physics.

Chancellor Robert J. Jones. Photo by Fred Zwicky

Association of American Universities elects Chancellor Jones as chair

Oct 30, 2023 10:30 am

AAU (Oct. 24) 'I'm excited to take on this role as the nation and the world are looking to the leading-edge education, research, and innovation of AAU and our member institutions to shape a better future for our global society,' said Chancellor Jones.

image of direct air capture hardware courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy

U of I to lead feasibility studies on units that pull CO2 from air

Aug 15, 2023 2:15 pm

Direct Air Capture is a process that separates carbon dioxide from the air, helping to reduce legacy CO₂ in the atmosphere. The separated CO₂ can then be safely and permanently stored deep underground or converted into products like concrete.

Jamelle Sharpe has been named the 14th dean of the College of Law, pending approval by the U. of I. Board of Trustees. Photo by College of Law

Sharpe named dean of U. of I. College of Law

Aug 3, 2023 3:00 pm

Following a national search, Jamelle Sharpe has been selected as the 14th dean of the College of Law, effective Aug. 16, 2023, pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

Atmospheric scientist Kelvin Droegemeier to join University of Illinois faculty

Jun 1, 2023 9:15 am

Accomplished alumnus who previously led White House Office of Science and Technology Policy also will advise the chancellor and support U of I System.

Scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will lead the INVITE Institute, a project that will invent and deploy new artificially intelligent learning technologies that are responsive and inclusive. The leadership team includes, from left: INVITE director Chad Lane, a professor of educational psychology and of computer science; research co-director ChengXiang Zhai, the Donald Biggar Willett Professor of Engineering in computer science; electrical and computer engineering professor Suma Bhat; and evaluation director Rodney Hopson, a professor of evaluation in educational psychology. Photo by Fred Zwicky

U of I to lead National Artificial Intelligence Research Institute focused on STEM learning

May 5, 2023 10:45 am

The National Science Foundation announced today it is awarding $20 million over five years to establish the Inclusive and Intelligent Technologies for Education (INVITE) Institute, based in the College of Education at the Urbana campus.

Dean Designate of the School of Social Work Benjamin Lough. Photo by School of Social Work

Lough named School of Social Work dean

May 11, 2023 11:00 am

Benjamin J. Lough will be the next dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

John Coleman, photo provided. Graphics by Michael Vincent

Coleman named vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost

Apr 19, 2023 10:45 am

John Coleman will be the next vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost at Illinois, pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

Germán Bollero will be the next dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Bollero named College of ACES dean

Apr 6, 2023 4:00 pm

Germán Bollero will be the next dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, pending approval by the Board of Trustees. Bollero has served as the interim dean of ACES since September 2021.

The CZ Biohub Chicago will develop new technologies, such as this instrumented tissue mimic, that will use embedded sensors and probes to better understand and measure human biology. Graphic by Janet Sinn-Hanlon

Illinois to co-lead new Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub in Chicago

Mar 2, 2023 11:30 am

CZ Biohub will work to embed sensors into tissues to understand how healthy and diseased tissues function in unprecedented detail. 'This might feel like science fiction today, but we think it’s realistic to achieve huge progress in the next 10 years.'

Claire Stewart. Graphics by Michael Vincent

Campus announces new University Librarian designate

Feb 17, 2023 11:15 am

Claire Stewart has been selected as the next Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson Dean of Libraries and University Librarian Designate beginning May 16, pending approval by the Board of Trustees.

The Electrical and Computer Engineering building at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

ECE building becomes U of I's first zero energy certified facility

Feb 14, 2023 9:45 am

All operational energy used by the Electrical and Computer Engineering Building is now offset through on-site solar production and solar renewable energy credits, earning an official Zero Energy Certification from the International Living Future Institute.