The final version of the Spring 2024 List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students is now available at go.illinois.edu/lotrae. 

A 4-week wellness program focused on improving physical activity and nutrition behavior. Participants will partner with a wellness coach to learn about the 8 dimensions of wellness and receive support to explore and engage in a variety of physical activity opportunities. Learn more about the program by clicking the title above. 

Enjoy some international snacks and drinks with cross-cultural learning activities. Sponsored by International Education and the University Library. 

Join IE as we continue to celebrate Homecoming and 10 years of programming. In this special edition of RECHARGE (typically held Tuesdays 1-3pm) we will be inviting you to our 2nd floor office space for DIY crafts, snacks and tea/coffee. All are welcome to drop in during the day, say hi, stay to make necklace or friendship bracelet, and chat with students and alumni and IE staff. Snacks and drinks are provided, you are welcome to bring your own lunch. 

The National Science Foundation offers Graduate Research Fellowships to US citizens & permanent residents in STEM, social science, & STEM education fields. The application requires two statements, & the Graduate College offers workshops on each. The final Research Plan Statement workshop will take place Sept. 10, 2-4 (Register), & the final Personal Statement workshop will take place Sept 13, 3-4:30 (Register). Interested students should first explore our self-guided NSF-GRF Fundamentals Canvas course. See the recent GradFELLOWSHIPS newsletter for details on these and additional workshops.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships for arts study in Germany. Eligible fields include music, performing arts, fine arts, film, design/visual communication, architecture, interior design, monument conservation, urban planning, and landscape architecture. The scholarship duration ranges from 10 to 24 months and supports graduate study at most state and state-recognized German universities. Students apply directly to DAAD, and deadlines fall between September and November. See details in the DAAD Arts Scholarship listing in Fellowship Finder.

Interested in conducting 2-12 months of research in Germany? If so, check out the Research Grants offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Grants are open to students in any discipline except fine arts (DAAD offers study scholarships for fine arts students). The University of Illinois is a "university partner" with DAAD, which means that two students seeking to conduct research for greater than 6 months will have priority consideration in the national competition. For details, visit the DAAD Grants for Doctoral Research in Germany listing in Fellowship Finder. 

If you are taking a preliminary or final exam this semester, make sure to start the committee appointment process through the Graduate College Student Portal. Once you've completed your request, it will be sent to your department for review and submission to the Graduate College. You can learn more and committee policies and access tutorials for the student portal on the Graduate College website.

If you are taking a preliminary or final exam this semester, make sure that you submit your request through the Graduate College Student Portal at least THREE WEEKS BEFORE your exam will take place. Late requests may require additional documentation. Please reach out to thesis@illinois.edu if you have questions.

Going on the academic job market? You'll likely need a teaching statement and diversity statement. In this informative workshop, you will learn what goes in each of these documents, how they should be formatted, and how to use them effectively in your job search. You can join in person (Graduate College, 507 E. Green St., Champaign) or on Zoom (https://go.grad.illinois.edu/eventspace).

Preparing for the academic job market? This workshop will review genre expectations for academic cover letters and provide examples from a range of disciplines. We will share strategies for drafting, strengthening, and tailoring your own cover letters. Please register with your University of Illinois email account by 11:59pm CT on September 10, and we will send an email with a Zoom meeting invitation on the morning of the event.

Attending a career fair or other networking event? This workshop will provide tips for corresponding concisely and professionally in platforms like email and LinkedIn. This event will be held through Zoom. It is open to current University of Illinois affiliates (students, faculty, and staff). Please register with your University of Illinois email account by 11:59pm CT on September 9, and we will send an email with the Zoom meeting invitation on the morning of the event.

Join a collaborative group that will help you figure out what matters to you and offer support as you explore new paths that align with your values, skills, and interests. This 3-week group will involve hands-on exercises and rich conversation designed to guide you in claiming agency in your next steps. Open to grad students and postdocs in any field whose work involves humanistic inquiry. Learn more and register here.

Are you having trouble organizing all of your sources but don’t know where to start? A citation manager can help you store your files, create citations, and insert formatted citations into papers. This hands-on workshop will introduce you to three popular citation managers—Mendeley, Zotero, and Endnote. We will go over pros and cons of each one and give you a preview of how they work to help you choose the best fit for your citation needs.

New to the university? Need a refresher on using the library? This hands-on workshop will introduce you to library resources and services. After this workshop, you’ll be able to navigate the library website with confidence to access print and electronic materials. Come with questions if you have them!

Are you overwhelmed by organizing your sources? Zotero is a free, open-source citation manager that helps you store and organize your files and insert formatted citations into papers. You will leave this hands-on workshop with a Zotero library set up and ready to use!

The Language Workshop at Indiana University, the Slavic Reference Service, American Councils, the Melikian Center at Arizona State University, and the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) are hosting an online discussion series – Research and Language Learning. Dr. Nathan Wood (Associate Professor of History, The University of Kansas) is the guest speaker.

The Writers Workshop satellite locations open this week! In addition to the Main Library, you can find us at Grainger Library, LAS Hub in Lincoln Hall, and the MCB Learning Center in Burrill Hall. We also offer video call consultations and asynchronous written feedback. Learn more about our consultation types and meet our staff. We are here to support you with all writing, in all modalities!

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! 

In this session, students will learn about general and subject-specific indexing and abstracting resources, search techniques, and interacting with collections held at the University of Illinois and beyond. Students will also be able to meet with subject librarians for area-specific guidance. This session is open to all doctoral students. A Zoom link will be sent to registrants ahead of the event.

Are you struggling to find last-minute care for your child? The Orchard Downs Preschool is accepting children ages 3-5 years and has some spots available! With affordable rates, it’s the perfect solution for your childcare needs.

Have your child's car seat inspected by certified Child Passenger Safety technicians as part of National Child Passenger Safety Week. If your child's car seat doesn't pass inspection, you are eligible for a new car seat for free. Limited supply. Make sure your child is riding in the right seat! 

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing the way that we write and research. But how do tools like ChatGPT work? And how can we use them effectively and ethically in our scholarship? In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore how AI can help you brainstorm topics, craft titles and abstracts, create outlines, and copyedit. Along the way, we’ll discuss techniques for writing effective prompts as well as copyright considerations and the limitations of AI-generated texts. There will be plenty of room for experimentation and questions.

The University of Illinois Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Clinic offers free group teletherapy and support for adults who stutter. The group meets on Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 PM via Zoom. Services are provided by graduate student clinicians in speech-language pathology, under the direction of a licensed and certified faculty member. For more information, contact Clarion Mendes, MA CCC-SLP/L, at cmendes2@illinois.edu.

Deere Day @ Illinois is a special event designed to give University of Illinois students a unique opportunity to meet with agriculture, engineering, and tech professionals and explore different career paths at John Deere. 

Open to all, the 2nd Annual NCSA Research Open House is a showcase of cutting-edge research and services offered by NCSA. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn about NCSA research and services, network with NCSA's distinguished researchers and affiliates, share your research interests and needs, and explore potential collaborations. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served. Advance registration is recommended to assist in planning food orders. Early registration is encouraged at this link by Wednesday, September 25.

Network and get to know alumni and current students including past and present GLOBE members!  All are welcome and dinner is provided.

LabEscape brings you the latest and most exciting chapter in the story of renowned quantum physicist Professor S. LabEscape is the world's only science-based "escape room"! Absolutely NO science background is necessary to succeed. This chapter features a unique set of awesome puzzles and challenges. Cost is $8 for students and $12 for nonstudents, and is perfect for a fun team-building activity!

Professor Emeritus Kimiko Gunji will be presenting her new cookbook, Wagashi: Season by Season. After an intro about wagashi, guests will be treated to three unique wagashi paired with three kinds of tea. These wagashi will be seasonal recipes from the book and each month of tasting events will highlight a different menu based on seasonal ingredients and occasions. Reservations required.

Join us for a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony! Chado, or the Way of Tea, is one of the most ancient and revered arts of Japan, and is at the very heart of Japan House. Each week will feature a different seasonal wagashi (traditional Japanese sweet) for guests to enjoy with a bowl of matcha. Reservations are required, no walk-ins will be permitted.

Join us for performances and cuisine from all over the world! Open to all. 

Join us next Sunday (9/15) at 2:30 pm for Science on Tap!  We will be at Riggs Beer company to learn about Helicobacter pylori and its impact on stomach health with Megan Ringling. Hope to see you there!

Join us for a conversation with Professor Mahzarin Banaji, author of "Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People" and renowned experimental psychologist who has spent 35 years understanding how the mind works in social contexts. Her campus presentation will center on a science-based analysis of the hard questions of how to lead in an ever-changing world where who is "us" and who is "them" has significantly changed from what those words meant to our predecessors. Space is limited, and registration is strongly encouraged by September 11, 2024.

AICE will host a Research Symposium Sep 26 at the Siebel Center for CS. Through keynotes and panels, the meeting will focus on the research goals of developing intelligent conversational systems that demonstrate contextual understanding, emotional intelligence, allowing for personalization, and the ability to interpret non-verbal communication while being ethical and fair. Registration required.

The SKY Happiness Retreat is an internationally acclaimed life-skills program that helps participants develop a relaxed, stress-free mind and an energetic, healthy body. The retreat teaches tools such as evidence-based meditation, yoga, breathwork, and self-exploration in a fun and experiential format. Join us on campus for a detox-weekend! The retreat is fully funded for all students. Interested students can sign up using the link provided. 

Bring your bike to the Alma Mater Plaza, Hallene Gateway (Illinois St. and Lincoln Ave.), or the Ikenberry Commons Quad on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 4-7 p.m., for the free installation of bicycle lights. Approximately 1,100 bike light sets will be available. Remember, a front bike light along with a rear reflector/light is required by Illinois law when riding at night. Light the Night strives to improve the visibility of bicyclists in Champaign-Urbana and provide general bike safety information. You can also volunteer at the event.

Join us for a voter registration drive hosted in partnership with the League of Women Voters Champaign County. Get registered to vote and receive answers to any questions about the voting process in preparation for the upcoming election. Don’t miss this chance to ensure your voice is heard!

Enjoy activities and a meal celebrating our international alumni. Open to all. 

The Imaging Technology Group and the IGB Core will be co-hosting a half-day X-ray CT workshop. Talks covering theory, the instrumentation available on campus, and current research projects will be presented along with tours of both the ITG and IGB facilities. Find the workshop agenda at the link above.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation invites you to attend the Fall 2024 Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Speaker Series. Speakers will present on topics relevant to members of the research community at all levels. The first session will be on Wednesday, September 11 via Zoom on an Overview of RCR, including responsibilities and best practices for promoting research integrity and ethical conduct on campus and beyond. To learn more about future sessions and to register to attend, visit https://research.illinois.edu/rcr-speaker-series.

Please join us at noon on Tuesday, September 17, in 3269 (Third Floor Tower Room) Beckman to learn about Carbon Nanoparticle Combustion in a Shock Tube: Spectroscopy and Microscopy Techniques for Improved Modeling of Optical Signatures presented by Colton Willhardt. Lunch will be provided to those who register for in-person attendance. Please register by Thursday, September 12. 

Have you ever wondered what happens after you put something in the bin? Learn about the campus waste management and recycling process, results of the recent Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) waste audit, and how the university is moving toward zero waste at this talk by Zero Waste Coordinator Daphne Hulse. "Landfills Are Organized Littering: How the University of Illinois Is Moving Toward Zero Waste" is an iSEE-certified green event. Attend in-person or online.

This lecture provides a bibliographic back story to Gerald Horne's latest book, Armed Struggle? Panthers & Communists; Black Nationalists & Liberals in Southern California through the Sixties & Seventies. Horne is Moores Professor of History & African American Studies at University of Houston. This event is part of the Interseminars event series for “Collisions across Color Lines.”

Sean Morales-Doyle is director of the Voting Rights Program at the Brennan Center for Justice. He advocates for pro-voter reforms and fights against voter suppression efforts in the courts. Morales-Doyle was a shareholder at a law firm in Chicago representing workers and unions in labor and employment cases. After graduating law school at Northwestern University, Morales-Doyle served as an assistant attorney general for the State of Illinois in the Special Litigation Bureau, investigating and litigating cases involving consumer fraud and false claims.

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.