The university is sponsoring four graduate students to attend the 2024 Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) workshop on April 14-17, 2024, in Washington, D.C. The workshop is hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS). Cost of travel, lodging, registration, and meals will be covered for selected students. To nominate yourself for consideration, please complete the online form by February 5.

Why should you participate in Research Live!? To refine your communication skills, to showcase the impact of your work, and maybe win some money too! Read about what it's like to compete from previous participants and why they chose to share their research with the world. Ready to take on the challenge? Register for Research Live! on our website.

By the 10th Day of Classes, January 29, graduate students should be correctly registered for Spring 2024. It's important to check Self Service before then to ensure your registration is correct. Jan 29 is the last day to submit a form to audit a semester course, register in Absentia via the Graduate College Student Portal, add a semester course via Self-Service, or drop a semester course & receive a refund if reducing assessment. Students in non-standard POT courses should refer to their grad program for info. Questions about deadlines or submitting a form? Click here for an advising appt!

March 29 is the last day to change your curriculum for the current term. This includes adding or dropping a campus approved minor or concentration. Please check your student program information in Self-Service to verify your program information is listed correctly. Information on how to change your curriculum is available online. Have questions about curriculum changes? Click here for an advising appointment!

Are you looking for new tools to help manage stress before the semester gets too busy? RIO is a two-part program that teaches students techniques for recognizing and moving past situations that cause stress, frustration, and anxiety. RIO can provide skills to help you manage and reduce anxiety, adapt to new challenges, understand your thoughts and feelings WITHOUT judgment or shame, move beyond feeling “stuck”, take the initiative to step out of your comfort zone. Please register in advance. If these times do not work, check additional dates at the Counseling Center website. 

Rest, Enjoy Conversation and Have A Really Great Experience! Join International Education in our new office space at the University YMCA for hot tea, international snacks, and a comfortable place to relax. Bring a friend and or meet other students from all over the world. Anyone is welcome to drop in between 2-4pm on Mondays in Spring 2024.

The Counseling Center staff will discuss the causes of homesickness and the impact that homesickness has on college students’ mental health and share resources. More importantly, strategies to cope with homesickness and cultural considerations will be explored, with group activities. Dinner is provided.

Join Campus Recreation and the Student Affairs Wellbeing committee for games, music, food, prizes, and fun during Polar Extravaganza and Day of Self-Care!  Participate in a one-mile run/walk as an individual or team around the Main Quad by registering here. Walk begins at 12pm at Anniversary Plaza.

The Illinois Board of Higher Education is offering DFI Fellowships for 2024-25. Fellowships support students traditionally underrepresented in higher education who intend to teach or become administrators in higher education in the state of Illinois following graduation. Students in any discipline are eligible, and students in STEM are especially encouraged to apply. Fellowships offer up to four years of support, and the annual stipend for new fellows will likely be ~$16,500. See the DFI listing in Fellowship Finder for details. 

The ability to craft an effective funding proposal can reap a lifetime of rewards. As a graduate student, now is the time to hone your grant writing proficiency. In this workshop, designed for students in science, technology, engineering, and math, you will learn how to identify funding opportunities, strategize the components of an effective proposal, and think like a grant writer. Come with questions about this mysterious genre; leave with a template that you can adapt to become a competitive applicant for prestigious awards. Register here.

Applications are open for graduate fellowships and awards at the Beckman Institute. About 400 grad students conduct research at Beckman each semester, learning alongside world-renowned field leaders, contributing unique perspectives in an inclusive environment, and helping to make scientific advances that couldn't happen anywhere else. Apply by 5 p.m. (CST) Tuesday, Feb. 27. Visit our website to learn more.

Attend an upcoming information session on 1/31/24 about the Humanities Without Walls Summer Bridge program. 2023 Summer Bridge participants Priyanka Zylstra (History) and Omar Agustin Hernandez (Anthropology) will be sharing their experiences working with community partners like the Education Justice Project and Strides Shelter: City of Champaign Township. Learn more about the Bridge program and view the 2024 application form.

We want to support you throughout the thesis process, so we have created a Canvas workspace just for you! Our Thesis Workspace is broken into several modules that are designed to help you navigate the process of writing your thesis and learn more about available campus resources. We've included space for you to record your thoughts and created handouts to help you plan and prioritize. The thesis process can sometimes feel challenging or lonely, so this workspace has discussion boards where you can connect with a community of graduate students. Visit our website to learn more!

The Writers Workshop will host two upcoming presentations to help you in your job hunt. Writing Effective Cover Letters for Job Applications (2/1) will provide tips for writing concise and professional cover letters that complement your resume and Networking & Job Search Writing (2/8) will discuss corresponding professionally through email and LinkedIn. Check out our calendar to read more and register.

As the impact of AI on job searching and hiring takes shape, navigating tools like ChatGPT and others has become a powerful instrument in seeking jobs and internships. Learn about the current AI landscape, address challenges, and explore best practices for its effective and ethical use in resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, and other aspects of the search process. Gain insights into employer perspectives on candidates' use and discuss potential future directions of these tools. This event will take place virtually via Zoom. Visit Handshake to register in advice.

This 4-week group will provide an overview and deep dive into a wide variety of research-related careers at universities, from research development or grant administration to safety and compliance or research communications. Participants will learn about the research ecosystem in higher education, meet and hear from people working in a range of positions at the university, and get advice for how to land those positions after grad school. This program is a collaboration between the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation and the Graduate College.

On the academic job market? This session will provide a comprehensive overview of both the faculty interview and negotiation process. Come to learn what to expect in faculty interviews, how to develop a strategy to effectively answer questions, and tips to help you know when and how to negotiate an offer effectively. No registration required. Attend at the Graduate College (507 E. Green St.) or online.

Technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help researchers to enhance  their data management plan. There are many areas where AI can help researchers strengthen and improve data quality. However, researchers must manage their data and build a strategy before using AI. In this workshop, participants will learn how to create a strategy to help with data classification, organizing data (including files and folders), naming files and planning for backup and security. 

Do you have research projects that are generating more data than you can easily manage? Come to this workshop to get tips and tricks on staying organized in the midst of research projects. We will discuss foundational principles of managing research data, setting up research projects for success prior to starting to collect data and how to rescue the situation once you have a messy data set that you need to untangle. Bring your questions to this session and we will be happy to connect you with research data librarians who can help you troubleshoot specific problems. 

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing the way that we write and research. But how do these tools work? And what do we need to know in order to use them ethically and effectively in our scholarship? We’ll take a behind-the-scenes look at how AI  generates text, consider its limitations, and brainstorm possible ways to incorporate it into your writing process. Along the way, we’ll discuss copyright considerations and publisher’s policies. There will be plenty of room for experimentation and questions! 

Start the semester the "write" way! Our hybrid writing group provides grad students with dedicated time to make progress on any writing project in a supportive atmosphere. Each meeting consists of a short goal-setting conversation, quiet writing time, and a concluding reflection and wrap-up. You only need to register once with your U of I email to receive weekly email reminders all semester! 

This workshop will include tips for maintaining a writing routine, cultivating effective habits, and forming a successful writing group. Dissertation and thesis writers from any discipline—and at any stage in the writing process—are especially welcome. Register for this virtual workshop using your University of Illinois email account by 11:59pm CT on January 30, and we will send an email with the Zoom meeting invitation on the morning of the event. 

Want to learn more about Illinois Computes and other NCSA resources available to researchers? Join Director Bill Gropp on Jan. 30 at 3:45 p.m. for a “Research Computing at NCSA” presentation hosted by the Department of Astronomy’s Astrophysics Colloquium. This hybrid event will cover the many opportunities for UIUC researchers to use NCSA’s resources to further their work, including Delta and DeltaAI. Also available on Zoom!

Homecoming 2024 will be here before we know it (September 8–14, 2024) and we would like your help choosing the theme. By submitting your Homecoming theme idea and later voting on the top 5 choices, you will be helping to determine the look and feel of our 2024 Homecoming celebration. As you think about this year’s theme, we encourage you to be creative with your ideas! As an example, possibly think about ways to incorporate iconic or memorable parts of campus (the Quad, Alma, Altgeld Chimes). We’re looking forward to hearing your ideas!

Join us for an online information session on February 16! The Office of Technology Management is seeking master's, JD, and PhD candidates to join our paid internship program. We are the office responsible for protecting and commercializing innovations developed at the University. In this position, you will develop an understanding of intellectual property law, market and industry analysis, and licensing strategies. You will assess new technologies for patentability, commercial readiness, and next steps. To learn more, visit our website or view last year's information session.

Curious about Fulbright? Join Fulbright Bulgarian Executive Director Angela Rodel on February 6 for a discussion of opportunities for Fulbright Study Research and English Teaching Assistantship in the Central and Southeastern European region. All students are welcome and encouraged to bring their questions about how to find the best-fit Fulbright program for their academic interests. Registration is required (https://go.illinois.edu/FulbrightLunch) and lunch will be provided. Registration will close on Tuesday, January 30.

Free headshots for Illinois students!  A great headshot ensures you're making the best impression possible. The Professional Portrait Lab, located in the Illini Union, Room 335, provides free student digital headshots that you can use on LinkedIn, websites, directories, and more! Spring Semester Hours: Wednesdays from 1:15-3:15 p.m.; Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 pm.

The Sandage Social Media Lab in the Department of Advertising offers free weekly brand consults. Curious about how to use social media to help grow your business or promote campus activities? Schedule a 30-minute consult with an advertising student! Available online MWF 9-10am and in person or online MF 1-3pm, based on student availability. 

Join the spring Illinois Part-Time Job Fair on January 30, 2024, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Illini Union. It's a great opportunity to gain work experience and earn some extra income. Whether you aim to work in spring, summer, or even fall semester this event is for you! Meet with 45 UIUC department and local employers such as Campus Recreation, Campus Housing, Grainger, ACES, AHS, Illini Union, Stephens Family YMCA, First Federal Bank, Champaign Unit #4 Schools, and more! Registration is encouraged but not required. Visit Handshake to learn more and to register. 

The STC for Quantitative Cell Biology and IDEA Lab are seeking student volunteers to help serve as facilitators for a Girls Who Code club at the International Prep Academy in Champaign to provide coding activities and role models to 6-8th graders in the Spanish/English dual language programs for 2 hours every other week. Interested? Email cabada@illinois.edu.

Free Student Professional Headshots! A great headshot ensures you're making the best impression possible. The Professional Portrait Lab, located in the Illini Union, Room 335, provides free student digital headshots that students can use on LinkedIn, websites, directories, and more! New Hours--Wednesdays 1:15 - 3:15 p.m. and Thursdays 12:30 - 1:30 pm

The Student Org Involvement Fair is a great opportunity for students to find ways to get involved in one of our more than 900+ Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), including academic, arts, athletic & recreation, cultural, religious, and social groups.  

Help put together the World's Largest Puzzle with the Library during dedicated co-working hours. We’ll have snacks and a hot chocolate bar to help you get cozy and unwind with friends old and new! Find the full schedule and list of locations on our Facebook event.

Afro D & Global Soundwaves is a socially-conscious hip hop/jazz/funk band based in Champaign, Illinois. Presented in collaboration with Illinois Soul 101.1 FM in celebration of Black History Month.

This event has been rescheduled from November 2023. Tickets for the original date will be valid for the new date unless they have been returned. If you have any questions, please phone the Ticket Office at 217.333.6280 Tu-Fr 10am-6pm, or email kran-tix@illinois.edu. The Grammy-winning Kronos Quartet marks its 50th anniversary with the KRONOS Five Decades tour.

Featuring new work by Assistant Media Coordinator Elliot Reza Emadian in collaboration with dramaturg and Associate Teaching Professor Betsy Brandt, the mainstage choreographic debut by undergraduate choreographer Jaymes Crowder-Acres, a solo by Iranian dancer Banafsheh Amiri, and thesis projects by MFA candidates Sojung Lim and Anna Peretz Rogovoy.

Let's build our dancing skills together! The Illini Swing Society offers Beginner & Intermediate 6-week class series on THURSDAY!  Classes are from 8-9 pm with a FREE social swing dance to follow at Channing Murray Foundation. All community members and students are welcome!  Registration is now open online until Week 2 of class. Click here for more information.

The exhibition of Pethumanity explores the ways in which people build relationships with pets. Kay Yang, Login Ingold, and Lori Fuller bring their unique perspectives and express them through a range of art practices, including drawing, painting, and film. Opening reception will be at the Illini Union Art Gallery, February 1, 2024 from 4:30 - 6:30. 

John Levi Barnard (Associate Professor of English & Comparative & World Literature, UIUC), "Meat, Climate, and the Dystopia of the Present." Wednesday, January 31st, at noon, in Coble, 306.  Moving through a century of dystopian film and literature -- from The Jungle to Soylent Green and The Matrix -- this talk will explore the role of the animal food system in both American culture and the planetary crisis of climate change. Part of the CGS series on Climate Change.

Join DSJE & the University YMCA for our first week of our Spring 2024 Friday Forum x Conversation Café speaker series! On February 2, we'll be hosting Rev. Terrance Thomas from Bethel AME Church, a leader in our local CU and interfaith community, who will be speaking about the Radical Black Church. Free lunch from Y Thai Eatery provided!

What's all the buzz about advocacy regarding gender equity in STEM and how can you get involved? There are some basic things you can do to stay current on the issues and make sure your voice is heard. Let's learn from Stacey DelVecchio and Teresa Cushing, co-chairs of the SWE Central Illinois Advocacy Committee. Stacey and Teresa are both engineers who have a passion for advocacy. They have worked with SWE in Washington DC and SWE Central Illinois Section on the importance of gender equity in STEM and advocacy role.

During the country’s dictatorship from 1973 to 1985, Uruguayans suffered under crushing repression, which included the highest rate of political incarceration in the world. Debbie Sharnak will give a talk on her book, Of Light and Struggle, which explores how activists, transnational social movements, and international policymakers collaborated and clashed in response to this era and during the country’s transition back to democratic rule.

Uruguay's soccer success, including Olympic Golds and World Cup wins, contrasts with its small size and dark period during the 1973-1985 dictatorship. This era, marked by human rights abuses and using stadiums as prisons, saw a decline in soccer performance. This talk examines soccer's role in reflecting national distress, fostering nationalism, and as a resistance tool during the dictatorship.

Joanne Barker (American Indian Studies, San Francisco State University; Lenape [enrolled member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians]) will be giving a lecture entitled: ""In Radical Relationality: Writing Against Climate and Gender Violence." This event is part of the Interseminars series for "Improvise and Intervene," supported by the Mellon Foundation.

Would you like to learn about the latest initiatives in sustainability, social responsibility, and resilience in Supply Chains from both academia and industry? Come join us at the 2024 Illinois Supply Chain Management Conference, February 23-24, 2024. For details and registration information, visit: https://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/scm-conference-2024

The Sky Happiness Retreat is an internationally acclaimed life-skills program that helps participants develop relaxed, stress-free mind and energetic, healthy body through evidence-based meditation, yoga, breathwork in a fun and an experiential format. Join us on campus for a detox-weekend! The retreat is fully funded for all UIUC students, partial scholarships available for staff and faculty. For sign-ups, click the link above. 

The Writers Workshop will review genre expectations for personal statements and provide examples from a range of disciplines. We will share strategies for drafting and tailoring your statement to each program. This virtual workshop is open to current University of Illinois students, faculty, and staff. Please register with your Illinois email account by 11:59pm on 1/29, and we will send the Zoom invitation on the morning of the event.

Join HRI at the Graduate Student Open House & Resource Fair for an afternoon of presentations, conversations & more—a showcase of graduate student work in the humanities and arts and the opportunity to explore resources available to graduate students in humanities-based graduate education. There will be a culminating reception/happy hour at 5 p.m. Pre-register for a Writers Workshop Live session.

You have a strong financial foundation, and now you're ready to take the first steps into investing. New trends in the world of securities necessitate reviewing new insights as we cover the basics of beginner investing. Join us on February 7, 2024, for this free webinar! NOTE: This webinar is meant to be educational and will not offer individual investing advice.

McKinley Health Center serves on-campus students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

The University of Illinois Counseling Center provides mental health counseling and well-being education for students. 

If you or a student you know may need support with their basic needs or financial stressors, please reach out.