13 brilliant scholars, 3 minutes each, and a whole lot of inspiration. The Graduate College is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Research Live! Showcase: Cade Boggan (Visionary Award), Matt Grenier (Storyteller Award), Hannah Heath (Impact Award), Jennie Lee (Design Award), Kevin Kleiner (People's Choice), and Olive Wang (Grand Prize). To each of our presenters, your ideas push the boundaries of what we know and what we imagine is possible. You make this university a richer, more dynamic place!

This week's Federal Updates Newsletter includes information about recent actions taken by federal immigration authorities and how the university is responding. It includes list of frequently asked questions about immigration to help our community better understand these issues. See the federal updates website for additional information, resources and answers to frequently asked questions related to federal directives.

Attn Postdocs & Grad Students: We have a record number of students presenting at the 2025 Undergraduate Research Symposium (April 24) and need additional judges to help evaluate presentations and interact with our presenters! As a judge, you'll be assigned a 1.5-hour slot (based on your availability). This is a great opportunity to support undergraduate researchers and engage with student scholarship (and is great service to add to your CV!) Sign up at: https://go.illinois.edu/URSJudge.

The Library coordinates services with the Writers Workshop, offering two locations: the Orange Room study space in the Main Library includes an embedded writing center (Room 100b); located in the Grainger Engineering Library Information Center, the Grainger satellite (Room 402) is available for writers on the north end of campus by appt.

The last day to register for the May 2025 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony is TOMORROW, Monday, April 14. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 15 and includes 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.

April 18 is the last day to drop a Part of Term B course online through Self-Service. Have questions about registration deadlines or submitting a form? Click here for an advising appointment!

April 18 the last day to drop a semester course or withdraw from ALL courses without a grade of W. To drop a course, students submit a Late Registration Change via the Grad College Student Portal. To withdraw from the term, students complete a Withdrawal Form and get their department's signature. International students need a signature from ISSS. Students should discuss these decisions with their advisor and/or program. Students in non-standard part of term courses should refer to their graduate program for deadlines. Questions about deadlines or forms? Click here for an advising appointment!

April 18 is the last day to submit a credit/no-credit request via the Graduate College Student Portal. Please consult with your program if you are considering this grading option for any course because course and department restrictions may apply. Students enrolled in non-standard part of term courses should refer to their graduate program for deadline information. Have questions about registration deadlines or submitting a Credit/No Credit form? Click here for an advising appointment!

The College of LAS Inclusive Excellence is sponsoring a Wellness Check-In Day. Various resource tables will be available for ALL students to learn about the support the College of LAS and campus can offer. Decompressing stations (coloring, snacks, bracelet making) will also be available, and students will have the chance to interact with UIPD's service dog, Lollipop.

Quality sleep is an essential component of physical and mental well-being. Mind-body practices can be utilized to promote and improve sleep quality. This presentation will provide an overview of sleep biology, the importance of sleep routines, and specific mind-body strategies to enhance sleep.

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 an experiential format. Join us on campus for a detox-weekend! Fully funded for all UIUC students. 

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program enables U.S. citizens to travel abroad for an academic year of fieldwork, lab research, or arts training. The application includes a Statement of Grant Purpose and, new this year, three short responses in place of a personal statement. In this workshop, we will show students how best to approach each narrative component and review sample statements. Please register in advance for this in-person workshop. Grad students interested in the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship program should attend our workshop on April 25. 

The Horovitz Fund supports graduate study for citizens of Sub-Saharan African countries with awards of $6,000-$8,000 to help defray educational costs. Applications are invited from students in the humanities, arts, and social sciences and are due April 30. 

NCSA and Illinois Computes assisted in recently published research aiming to improve the monitoring systems of nuclear energy production. “The NCSA technical staff provided invaluable support throughout the entire process, demonstrating the tremendous impact of combining AI with high-performance computing to advance nuclear safety,” said Syed Bahauddin Alam, an assistant professor in the Department of Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering. Unlock your research potential with Illinois Computes today!

Zoom AI Companion is available! Enabled features include meeting summaries, smart recordings, and the ability to ask questions about the meeting. Learn more about how Zoom AI Companion is configured at Illinois.

If you are a doctoral student planning to deposit your dissertation for August graduation, get a head start by taking your exit surveys now! These surveys will only take a few minutes for you to complete, and (if you take them before you submit your document to the Thesis Office) it will make the deposit process move much more quickly. You can learn more about these surveys on the Thesis Office website. Remember – you cannot deposit your dissertation until the Thesis Office receives notification that you have completed these surveys.

We are inviting doctoral students to join this discussion on dissertation writing and research. Later-stage PhD candidates will share their research, writing, and time management techniques. Each panelist will talk about strategies that have worked for them (or strategies that definitely have not worked). After each panelist has spoken, participants can ask questions and share their own experiences. This will be a supportive and welcoming environment for informal conversations across disciplines.

The Doctoral Research Support Program and the Writers Workshop are hosting Writing in the Disciplines, an online series that connects doctoral 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.

More than lists of accomplishments, your resume, cover letter, and other application materials should make a convincing case for why you are equipped to succeed in a role. In this workshop, we will discuss techniques for strategically crafting application materials that make that compelling argument. Topics will include deciding what to include in your application materials, techniques for making materials stand out, and tips for making your application materials send a cohesive message about your capabilities. This workshop will take place on Zoom at https://go.grad.illinois.edu/eventspace

Right now is a challenging time to look for a job, and many contributing factors are out of your control. But if you are feeling stuck or frustrated in your job search, Graduate College Career Development can help you think through challenges and make a plan going forward. Our career advising is specifically focused on the needs of grad students and postdocs. You'll meet one-on-one with an advisor who can offer individualized support, guidance, and feedback on any kind of job search (industry, government, faculty, etc.). Learn more about how to make an appointment here.

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 April 15, and we will send an email with the Zoom meeting invitation on the morning of the event.

The Mentoring Matters Summer Institute is a 2-day, interactive event to support the development of strong mentoring skills. Postdocs are invited to join the faculty track, which will use the case-study-focused Entering Mentoring approach to engage participants in productive conversations about mentoring approaches. The focus will be on mentoring in a higher education context, especially in research settings. Learn more and register at https://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/seminars-workshops/mentoring-matters-workshop-series/.

Join us for two days of keynotes, hands-on workshops, portfolio reviews, networking, and free food—perfect for students and early-career professionals in UX, design, and research. Featuring a keynote by Ovetta Sampson (Google, Microsoft, IDEO). Spots are filling up fast—register now!

Unhealthy group dynamics, poor communication, or unresolved conflict can derail your research and and make life miserable. Labs That Work for Everyone is an interactive, asynchronous program that builds skills to help you avoid problems, or to address effectively the ones that do happen. Build the skills no one ever warned you’d need by piloting the program individually or with your lab group.

The Krannert Center Experience Survey is your opportunity to share insights about your experiences with our performances, workshops, and campus and community engagement efforts. Whether you are a regular attendee or it is your first visit, your feedback will help us create more inclusive, engaging, and welcoming experiences for all. This brief survey (https://redcap.link/vc5zbwog) will take approximately 5-10 minutes. Your responses are confidential, and your voice will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Krannert Center.

DRES is providing a short, anonymous survey for graduate students with disabilities to learn about their needs; you do not need to be registered with DRES to participate. Disabilities may include (but are not limited to) learning disabilities, ADHD, mental health disabilities, such as anxiety disorders or depression, autism spectrum disorder, physical or sensory disabilities. Participants will be entered into a raffle to win one of eight $25 Amazon gift cards.

The Center for Writing Studies and Latina/Latino Studies invite you to a New Book Discussion Panel exploring key issues in Social Movements and Critical Race Theory. This panel features Dr. Aja Y. Martinez and Dr. Robert O. Smith, who will discuss their new book, The Origins of Critical Race Theory. Dr. J. David Cisneros will share perspectives from his co-authored work, Rhetorical Histories of Social Movements in the U.S. Lunch from Manolo's provided by the Department of Latina/Latino Studies! Check the calendar for registration and more details!

Kang Endowed Lecture with Professor Dali Yang (Univ. of Chicago) traces the dramatic transformation of U.S.-China relations over the past seven decades, from confrontation to engagement to rivalry. It focuses on key patterns and turning points leading to current tensions over trade, technology, security, and global influence, and explores future prospects. Sponsored by EALC; Cosponsored by CEAPS and Spurlock Museum.

Looking into the past hundred years of global economic governance, one might identify three seemingly simple yet helpful ways to assess how a shift in economic governance occurs: it was decidedly more endogenous than exogenous, it needed a deep-cutting crises as an amplifier of change and it needed an institutional landscape within which to inflict the change. Dr. Schulz-Forberg, a professor at Aarhus University in Denmark, will elaborate his ideas on historical change along these three broad markers and end by putting these three onto today’s experience of disruption. 

Join us on Friday, April 25 from 6:00pm-8:30pm for the first annual Celebration of Africa to honor the rich cultures of Africa and its Diaspora in the Americas. Enjoy an unforgettable evening filled with an eclectic playlist representing various regions in Africa, a soulful music concert with professional musicians, and a stunning fashion show featuring traditional attire. Savor authentic African regional cuisine as we celebrate heritage, resilience, and community. Wear your most resplendent dress to participate in a traditional dress competition. Free and open to all - everyone is welcome!

Join us for the Intercultural Spotlight Series: Taiwan on Thursday, April 24 from 4:00pm-5:00pm at the Campus Instructional Facility, room 1035. In this engaging program led by members of the ISSS Global Educators Program, you will discover Taiwan’s customs, festivals, language, and modern life, and enjoy a taste of authentic Taiwanese snacks. Whether you're curious about Taiwan’s history, food, or contemporary culture, this session will provide a fun and immersive experience. Free and open to all. No registration required—just drop in, learn, and enjoy!

Join us for a warm, homey evening of food, stories, and community. This gathering features a frybread presentation and a meal of Navajo tacos and blue corn mush, offering a taste of Navajo traditions. Learn how food connects to Navajo identity, resilience, and ways of being through shared meals, stories, and songs. Come, sit, eat, and be part of a space where food brings us together in the spirit of kinship and celebration! Open to all and dinner is provided. 

The Chancellor’s Federal Updates Working Group: Research invites you to attend a webinar on “Understanding Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs and Opportunities for Change,” with Special Advisor to the Chancellor for Science and Policy and former White House OSTP Director Kelvin Droegemeier. Learn more about the history of F&A costs, its strengths and weaknesses, and what the opportunities are for change in the future. To register for the webinar, please complete this short form by April 18.

The Grainger Engineering Library and Information Center is excited to invite you to the Veterinary Medicine’s Wildlife Medical Clinic Ambassador Animals visit on Thursday, April 17th in Room 335, on the third floor, from 3-4pm. Learn more about this program and their animal ambassadors. All are welcome!

Japan House is pleased to host this colorful urushi (lacquerware) workshop featuring Fukushima craftswoman Ayako Hirai as part of the Kogei: Traditional Arts and Crafts project. Guests will learn about the lacquer craft process and history, then they can practice how to polish their own colorful lacquer brooch to take home! Aizu-nuri is distinctive for its vibrant use of colors. All supplies are provided. Registration required.

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts celebrates the UNESCO 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology with a re-envisioned performance of Quantum Voyages. Guided by Sapienza, the spirit of knowledge, two voyagers, Terra and Akash, enter the microscopic realm of atomic landscapes and quantum conundrums to discover a magnificent and baffling world foreign to everyday human experience. In moments of strife, quantum sages—real-life physicists—briefly appear to share their wisdom.

Japan House is pleased to host a hariko (paper mache) workshop featuring Fukushima craftswoman Akie Hashimoto as part of the Kogei: Traditional Arts and Crafts project. Guests will learn about the hariko craft process and history, then they can design and paint a maneki neko (lucky cat) to take home! All supplies are provided. Registration required.

Japan House is pleased to host a Japanese calligraphy (shodo) workshop featuring Fukushima artist Seiran Chiba as part of the Kogei: Traditional Arts and Crafts project. Guests will learn about the basics of Japanese calligraphy and practice writing with her guidance before creating their own masterpiece. All supplies are provided. Registration required.

Japan House is pleased to host two urushi (lacquerware) workshops featuring Fukushima craftswoman Ayako Hirai as part of the Kogei: Traditional Arts and Crafts project. Guests will learn about the lacquer craft process and history, then they can practice how to polish their own black, pearl-inlay lacquer brooch to take home! This workshop features techniques using raden maki-e (pearl inlay designs). The brooch will have a black base with iridescent pearl designs. All supplies are provided. Registration required.

Daphne Hulse, F&S’ zero waste coordinator, and Marc Alexander, director of development and membership at the University YMCA, will discuss the spring and fall Dump & Run® events, the related Big Sale, and the important impact of keeping items that can be reused, recycled, or upcycled out of the landfill. Learn more in their talk, “From Waste to Resource: A Community-Based Approach to Reuse,” at noon, Wednesday, April 16. Sign up for the login info. You can watch past events at on F&S' YouTube channel.

What better way to celebrate National Poetry Month than a reading and book signing with New York Times bestselling poet and essayist Ross Gay? Gay is the author of four books of poetry and three collections of essays, which one reviewer described as "a wise, insightful, thought-provoking, and appreciative reverie on the complexities of the human condition.” Books will be available for purchase at the event.

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.