Illini orange and Illini blue are foundational elements of the Illinois brand identity and were also selected with accessibility and differentiation in mind. To ensure you’re using the proper Illini colors in your work, visit the colors page of the brand website for detailed instructions and examples.

Curious about the role of generative AI in the future of research and your career? The Graduate College is hosting an AI Conversations Series with Illinois experts, and we need your help! Join us on Wednesday, October 30, on Zoom for a conversation with Michael Curtin (Innovation Coordinator, Campus Research IT) and Eric Michael Kurt (Media Commons Coordinator, University Library; Interim Manager, Scholarly Commons). Submit your AI-related questions and join us for an engaging session where your ideas lead the way. 

Are you graduating this December? Join us for the Graduate College Doctoral Hooding Ceremony on Saturday, December 14. The focus of the ceremony will be the formal hooding of doctoral graduates by their faculty mentors. Make sure to review the requirements for graduation. More details and the link to register can be found on the doctoral hooding event website. 

November 3 is the last day to apply for December 2024 graduation via Self-Service. Have questions about adding yourself to the degree list? Click here for an advising appointment!

November 1 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.

October 25 is the last day to add a Part of Term B course online via Self-Service, or to drop a Part of Term B course and receive a refund if reducing assessment range; and to submit a form to elect to audit a Part of Term B course. Have questions about registration deadlines or submitting an Audit form? Click here for an advising appointment!

Self-paced, online training program for Illinois faculty, staff, and graduate assistants to build their knowledge, confidence, and skills about topics related to student mental health.

Winter is approaching, and with shorter days while research, exams, and projects are waiting to be done, it’s important to be prepared and stay safe on campus. The University of Illinois Police Department will present crucial safety tips for working on campus, including how to avoid hypothermia, request a safety escort for your commute, and report incidents. Learn what to do in the event of an active threat and how to stay aware of your alcohol limits. Want to learn self-defense? You’ll also have the chance to chat with a police officer about that too! Food is provided.

Join Nutrition Educator Rachel Mannen and Family Life Educator Emily Harmon for Wellness Walks! From 9 to 10 a.m. on Oct. 24th, we will meet behind Carle at The Fields Administrative Center (3310 Fields S Dr, Champaign, IL 61822). The Principal Investigator for the SITLess Study will be our speaker! Wear comfy shoes, bring water, and enjoy a stroll. Register at: go.illinois.edu/Wellness-Walks

Staying in town for Fall Break? Please join University Housing Dining Services and International Education for our 10th Annual Cooking with Chefs. Tell stories, make new friends, and share warm memories in addition to a delicious celebration meal prepared with and for you and our Chefs. RSVP is required. "You Teach" session recipe/ingredients must be received by November 8.  

Overwhelmed and stressed by the state of politics that you are surrounded by? You are not alone!  The good news is that we are resilient, and have the ability to bounce back after adversity, anxiety, or challenging situations. Join us for a conversation to learn some coping strategies to deal with the increasing stress and build your resilience. All are welcome. Dinner is provided. 

The Illinois Department of Public Health is offering FREE QPR Suicide Prevention Trainings. Learn how to question a person about suicide, persuade a suicidal person to get help, and refer a suicidal person to the appropriate resources. Participants will receive a certificate, a QPR e-book, and a printable wallet card. Register with code: ILS1837184428. Available until 12/31/24.

The Graduate College is accepting nominations for the the American Psychological Association's Koppitz fellowship, which supports research in child psychology including child-clinical, pediatric, school, educational, and developmental psychopathology. Applicants must be ABD; there is no nationality requirement. Departments may submit ONE nomination each to the Graduate College for this limited-submission competition. Nominations are due November 15. Visit the Fellowship Finder listing for details. 

Sandia National Laboratories offers summer fellowships for on-site research at Sandia's Albuquerque, NM or Livermore, CA site. Research will involve unclassified projects in a variety of science and technology fields. Fellows work in close collaboration with Sandia mentors and participate in meetings, special events, tours, and professional development activities. Applicants must be full-time master's or doctoral students in STEM who are US citizens. Hourly stipends range from $35 to $47, depending on academic level and site. See program and application details here. 

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 from the Grad College's Office of External Fellowships, designed for students in science, technology, engineering, & 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 you can adapt to become a competitive applicant for prestigious awards. Register here.

"Effective Fellowship Writing Workshop" will be led by Dr. Dana Johnson, Director of External Fellowships at the Graduate College.  Lunch will be available for registered attendees starting at 12 pm. The workshop will run from 12:30-2:30 pm. Please register at https://go.illinois.edu/Fellowshipworkshop

What are the five most common formatting errors we see in theses? What are release options? How do I deposit my thesis? We've answered these questions and more in our Thesis Format and Deposit webinar. Watch the video and download the slides in our Box folder. Still have questions? Reach out to us at thesis@illinois.edu.

The Doctoral Research Support Program and the Writers Workshop are hosting Writing in the Disciplines, an online series that connects graduate students with faculty, journal editors, and publishers to discuss writing styles and skills in specific disciplines. It complements existing services offered by the Writers Workshop as well as resources at the departmental level. These events are open to all current graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

Need a quiet space for your virtual or phone interview? The Career Center offers a Student Interview Room exclusively for undergraduate and graduate students. It is available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rooms can be booked in 1-hour blocks. Please submit your request at least 3 days in advance

Well-designed presentations are about balance. The problem? Balance is a hard thing to find. How much text is too much? How do I decide on a color palette? How do I craft a coherent visual narrative? Join the Speakers Workshop to learn practical skills for creating a standout slide deck and more. Pre-registration is required using the links above.

What are interviews like for jobs in industry and the nonprofit sector? What are interviewers looking for? What questions should YOU ask? In this workshop, you will learn the basics of the interview process, devise a strong strategy for answering questions, and learn some examples of questions to ask your interviewers. This session will be broadcast online at the link below.

Web of Science is a large multidisciplinary platform of abstract databases for articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings. This session provides insight and strategies for getting the most use out of the platform. We will highlight how to search for literature and authors, as well as where to find citation and grant information.

Google Scholar is an incredibly popular and useful tool for research with several features that scholars may not be familiar with. This workshop will elaborate on the difference between searching in Google Scholar and academic databases, demonstrate how to use Google Scholar’s Advanced Search, explain how to connect your library access to Google Scholar, and cover some of the other more sophisticated features Google Scholar offers to support your research. We will also discuss some of the privacy concerns related to Google and how you can mediate them.

This workshop provides an overview of the legal considerations for researchers, creatives, and professionals navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of AI. Participants will learn about ownership, fair use, and legal obligations when using copyrighted material in AI training and when incorporating AI into their work. We will also discuss how AI is shaping the academic publishing landscape, particularly its impact on text mining for research purposes. There will be plenty of room for questions!

JSTOR is a digital library with access to more than 12 million journal articles, books, images, and primary sources in 75 disciplines (primarily focused on humanities and social sciences). Recently, JSTOR merged with Artstor, a digital image database. This workshop will focus on how to search text, images, and primary resources in JSTOR, and how to organize your research using the workspace feature.

Attendees will become familiar with the differences between a dissertation and first book manuscript, and will further learn about identifying points of revision, creating a revision plan/timeline, approaching editors/presses, writing a book proposal, and the publishing process at a glance. 

This workshop, hosted by the Center for Writing Studies, is intended for participants to share their lesson plans, classroom activities, and teaching strategies, with a focus on writing instruction, multimodal composition, and engaging students with readings.

Join us weekly to work on your projects! 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 online workshop, students will learn some effective strategies for clear and effective data presentation in the context of journal articles, research posters and PowerPoint presentations. Topics discussed will include methods for analyzing figure and table design, how to write with figures and how to apply these lessons to a variety of contexts. Register by October 23. You can also review our science writing resources here and read more about our consultants here.

This workshop elaborates on teaching practices useful for facilitating students’ engagement in collaborative problem-solving activities. We will also introduce assessment tools for evaluating students’ performance and learning during human-centered design challenges.

MAXQDA is a desktop software for analyzing qualitative data, including text, image and video, survey, and web-based data. With MAXQDA, you can code data by hand, automatically using keyword searches, and via AI. In addition to coding data, you can view the results of your coding in different configurations, write memos about your developing analysis, create concept maps, quantify qualitative data, and use AI to summarize or “chat” with your data. 

In this session, new podcasters learn how to create an intentional, personalized brand to really make their show their own. We cover promoting and marketing podcasts through social media and other ways to get word out!

Join the IDEA Lab in this informational session through the basics of 3D printing, best practices, and resources on campus as well as digital resources.

Illinois is competing in the We Give Blood Drive. The winning school will will receive a $1 million donation toward student health from Abbott! We’re hosting a blood drive at the State Farm Center on Oct. 23 from 1-7 PM. If you can't join for that event, visit a local blood center or another campus blood drive before Dec 7. Just make sure to upload your proof of donation to bigten.org/abbott

The application for the Policy and Research Legislative Fellows Program for 2025-26 is now open until December 1. This non-partisan initiative, run by the Center for Social & Behavioral Science and supported by the Office of Public Engagement, matches graduate students with state legislators to collaborate on policy research projects that can inform public policy and help make Illinois a better place live. There will be a Zoom info session on October 30 from 12-1pm (register). Apply here

The U. of I. is seeking public input on the Campus Bicycle Master Plan; it serves as the framework for future improvements to the campus bike network and programming. Using this feedback form, make general comments or on specific infrastructure improvement projects. The form will be available until 10/31/24.

Illinois Computes, which offers computing and data storage resources, technical expertise and support services at no cost to researchers from all domains across campus, recently launched a newsletter called Illinois Computes Connections to help researchers stay in the know on new offerings, new opportunities and all program updates. Take a peek at the first issue and sign up now!

Are you interested in sharing your research and building science communication skills? Consider joining the Community Seminar Series, a program that gives graduate students and postdocs an opportunity to share their health-related research with the public. We are currently recruiting presenters for Spring 2025. Presenters will be responsible for delivering one webinar and will work closely with Extension mentors to develop, practice, and deliver their webinar. Webinars will be hosted on Wednesdays from noon - 1 p.m. CT beginning March 5th. Please reach out to mmw3@illinois.edu to participate. 

Make plans to attend the Illinois Women's Club Hockey's upcoming Pink in the Rink game for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Admission is $5.00. All proceeds will support the Cancer Center at Illinois. 

Robyn Deterding, former Campus Recreation Director, lost her 15-year-old son in a car accident and chose to donate his organs. Since then, she’s been a strong advocate for the Gift of Hope and organ donation. To support her efforts, Campus Recreation is holding a blood drive at the ARC on November 12th, 10am-3pm. Come donate and help make a difference! 

Join us for a free screening of The Guide, a film that follows a young boy and a blind man as they navigate the treacherous landscapes of Ukraine during the 1930s, escaping from Soviet authorities and seeking safety amidst the backdrop of the Holodomor famine. The screening is free and open to the public and is part of the Stand With Ukraine Through Film Initiative.

Join us for a FREE screening of Padauk: Myanmar Spring followed by a discussion led by the Director of The Center for East Asian & Pacific Studies (CEAPS), Matt Winters. Padauk: Myanmar Spring takes the viewer to the streets of Myanmar during the heady days following the February 2021 military coup. Through Nant, a young, first-time protestor, we meet three human rights activists whose lives have been turned upside down by the coup.

Please join the EU Center this Halloween for a screening of the 2008 Swedish vampire film, "Let the Right One In" ("Låt den rätte komma in"). Directed by Tomas Alfredson based on a novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, "Let the Right One In" tells the story of the friendship between a bullied boy and a child vampire, Eli. Watch the trailer here. Everyone is encouraged to come in costume, and there will be a prize for the student with the best costume. Cookies will be served afterwards.

Community-engaged faculty and staff interested in submitting research projects and becoming an academic mentor for the 2025 Community-Academic Scholars (CAS) program are invited to learn about program benefits, project selection, and insights and Q&A with Prof. Minakshi (Mina) Raj and Dr. Meaghan McKenna about their experiences as CAS academic mentors.   

Interested in learning how to identify hazards and prevent injuries in the laboratory, shop or in any activity while enjoying a free sandwich and soda? The Grainger College of Engineering Office of Safety, in collaboration with ThermoFisher Scientific, is holding a lunch-and-learn session on Conducting and Writing a Job Safety Analysis. Registration is required and limited to 30 seats: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1755198123

The campus will mark sustainability milestones and outline plans for the 2025 Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) at a Sustainability Celebration on Oct. 23! All are invited to recognize contributions from students, faculty, and staff and hear from iCAP topical teams about progress in Energy, Land & Water, Education, Zero Waste, Transportation, Resilience, and Engagement. You'll also learn about sustainability accomplishments at Facilities & Services, highlights from last spring's Green Globe Awards, and iSEE's Greener Campus certification programs — and enjoy a reception afterward! 

Join a virtual discussion with IL Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and the Academic & Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the IL Council on Women and Girls! This session, part of the We Thrive initiative, will focus on fostering financial freedom and well-being for women in Illinois. Share your insights and help shape the future for women in college. Email Maria Peterson to RSVP.

The Civic Café is a conversation series by scholars, educators, and community advocates to advance pillars of democracy and civic education. Join Lynn Pasquerella, president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, and Will Creeley, Legal Director of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, as they share their thoughts on the landscape of expressive activity on campus.

In this presentation, titled "Free to Exist: Insights into the Participation of LGBTQIA+ Young People in Sport and Physical Activity," Dr. Ryan Storr (Swinburne University, Australia) will share data on factors influencing LGBTIQA+ young people’s engagement in sport/physical activity and share recommendations for creating inclusive and welcoming sports environments.

Prof. Azate will share her inquiry into body mapping as research-action to explore and intervene in postpartum experiences by Latina women in the US. She explores ways of “entering the body” as a territory that can be mapped, along with place: family spaces, hospitals, and the spaces we migrate from. She will describe the affordances of body maps, to propose a sensory-driven form of mapping that explores the body as storage of trauma, maps as narratives, and pushes for communal aesthetics in graphic design. Join us for lunch and learning at the next installment of the HEROP Speaker Series!

"Exploring the Gutters: Illinois’ South Asian Comics Collection" by Mara Thacker, South Asian Studies & Global Popular Culture Librarian, will look into the history and evolution of the South Asian comics collection situated within the context of comics production and circulation in South Asia and showcase samples, to illustrate the behind-the-scenes labor required to process materials and make the collection accessible.

Jesse Erickson, Astor Curator of Printed Books & Bindings at the Morgan Library, joins the RBML virtually to discuss Black bibliographical exploration and trace the migrations of Black Vernacular English (BVE) from 18th-century literature to that of the hip hop generation. This Zoom presentation is open to the public; please pre-register at go.illinois.edu/Erickson. 

Bill Fletcher Jr., long-time labor activist, Senior Scholar with the Institute for Policy Studies, former president of TransAfrica Forum, and founding member of the Black Radical Congress, will join the HRI Social Movements Reading Group for a Q&A Monday Oct 21, 12-1:30 PM. Lunch will be provided. RSVP at the link above.

Join US-El Salvador Sister Cities and CRIPDES, a Salvadoran community-based organization, for a two-hour interactive workshop designed to share organizing strategies, discuss common struggles, and build solidarity across borders. Workshop will be Monday, October 21 from 2-5pm in Room 142 (off the atrium). Pizza will be provided by I-CAUSE. All members of the university community are welcome. No registration needed.

Join us for the Latine Studies Graduate Student Conference "Reclaiming Insurgency." The conference will feature interdisciplinary graduate research and keynote speakers Joshua Briond and Akua N. Learn more and register here.

Explore the transformative potential of school food forests as climate change interventions. This session will delve into how these agroforestry-based programs produce fresh, nourishing food while enhancing socio-emotional wellness and environmental stewardship. By transforming school garden sites into multi-functional systems, these initiatives also offer high-capacity food production, mitigate negative environmental impacts, and provide opportunities for stress relief. 

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.