The Business Excellence Symposium will be held Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, at the I Hotel. Hosted by the Strategic Project Management Office, the Business Excellence Symposium at Illinois brings you insights on how to equip your unit with a road map to operational excellence. The event will feature Robin Kaler as keynote speaker, breakout sessions and exhibitor booths. Space is limited, so RSVP today!

Looking for a flexible volunteer opportunity while meeting new people and having fun at the same time? The IEI is looking for English-speaking volunteers to meet with international students for conversation and cultural exchange for one hour a week during the spring semester. You'll be helping students adapt to US culture, and you'll learn about another culture at the same time!

Don't miss your chance to apply to the Office of Technology Management’s  Illinois Proof-of-Concept funding program. IPOC supports projects that move U. of I. research innovations closer to public use and impact. Proposals encouraged from all disciplines. Awards up to $50,000. Application deadline is Jan. 28, 2025. More information: https://otm.illinois.edu/IPOC.

The School of Social Work is looking for families or couples willing to receive eight weeks of therapy free of charge provided by MSW students. Students will be supervised by a licensed clinical social worker. Sessions will take place on Thursdays at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. for eight weeks starting Feb. 27, 2025. Please click on the link for more info.

The BRIDGE Seed Fund provides funding to advance Illinois’ research and engagement missions together with the University of Birmingham. Proposals in the social sciences and humanities are encouraged as well as proposals that leverage collaboration in the Global South. Proposals are due by March 3, 2025. Application information is available on the BRIDGE Partnership website.

Cena y Ciencias brings science to K-5 students and families at Urbana-Champaign dual-language schools. Supported by NSF grants and U. of I. scientists, it offers science lessons in Spanish with hands-on experiments and pizza. We're seeking volunteers to create lessons for 2025-2026. See link for more information and proposal submission: https://forms.office.com/r/ntXy60vEss. 

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for this in-person cohort-based leadership program that provides tools and skills and networking opportunities to faculty developing a research group. The program addresses a range of topics, including mentoring, managing difficult conversations and negotiation skills for problem solving. Interested? Visit the program website and APPLY by Jan. 24, 2025.

Announcing Managing Wetlands: Conservation & Restoration on Coursera. Led by Caitlin Bloomer, NRES Teaching Assistant Professor, this course explores ecosystem stewardship concepts and technological tools for wetland restoration and conservation. Learners will gain skills in wetland conservation, ecology and restoration. 

University High School, located on the U. of I. campus, is in search for two paid athletic coaching positions in the fall of 2025: girls head swim coach and girls assistant volleyball coach. Please reach out to athletic director Kyle Hummel at KHummel@illinois.edu if you are interested. Must be available at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday for dates Aug. 11 through early November.  

We are excited to invite you to the Global Mental Health Research and Services Conference on Oct. 9 and 10, 2025, in Champaign. Coinciding with World Mental Health Day, our theme is "From Local to Global: Encouraging creative solutions to transcultural mental health challenges." To participate in this conference, please submit a proposal. Abstracts are due Jan. 31, 2025.

With a new year comes a new edition of Pocket Facts from the University of Illinois System. Pocket Facts uses key data from across the system to spotlight our collective impact in Illinois and beyond. Pocket Facts is available as an accessible PDF and a digital experience. Employees across the system can order printed copies using this form.

Course instructors are encouraged to update their course syllabi to include a new statement supporting students in the Active Reserve Forces and student veterans. This statement provides guidance on accommodating absences in line with Student Code § 3-313, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and university policies. It also directs students to resources through the Chez Veterans Center.

The ESL Program offers advanced 8-week courses for international graduate students, faculty, staff and visiting scholars for individualized support in publishing an article, writing a dissertation or presenting at a conference. ESL 592 teaches students the academic writing conventions of their discipline; ESL 593 improves skills in speaking and presenting research. Seats available!

Students can benefit from using Illinois AnyWare, a service providing access to over 100 applications for students working anywhere. It is a remote desktop environment where users may access software securely and save files to and from their own device (Windows, MacOS, Linux). 

Technology Services’ Help Desk provides event operators to assist with A/V systems in general assignment classrooms or Levis Center, including setup upon request. Special event support is available seven days a week; hours are online. It costs $25 an hour per student (minimum one hour). To request an event operator, please complete this form. 

The program leader trainings guide new and experienced program leaders in preparing for the safest possible experience abroad. Those who lead or assist short-term education abroad or other university-related (including with graduate students) travel abroad for students must attend at least one workshop a year. Please visit safetyabroad.illinois.edu for more information and to register.

CampusWell provides health and wellness articles and videos for the campus community. Topics incorporate the 8 Dimensions of Wellness, ranging from nutrition, mindfulness, time management and finances. Faculty is encouraged to share this resource on their syllabi and staff is encouraged to bookmark this site when assisting students with their wellness. Marketing materials are also available here.

Step back in time with turn-of-the-century dances at Dances of the Gilded Age from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 27 through March 3, in the Mansion. Instructor Jeanette Watts will teach 1900-era ballroom styles including the waltz and two-step, reflecting the graceful movements that captivated society early in the 20th century. $90 per person for the entire series or $30 per class. Register here.

Whether you want to learn to knit or just need a refresher, enroll in Knitting 101: Knitting for Beginners from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 23 and 30, in The Studio. Fiber artist Billie Theide will present the basics of knitting, including needle and yarn selection. Students will learn how to cast on, basic stitches and more. $80 per person. Register here by Jan. 16.

Enjoy the fellowship of other musicians at a new event at the Allerton Park: Mountain Dulcimer Jam Sessions! Join us for the first of four from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.  Saturday, Jan. 18, where farms instructor Lou Ann Koebel will lead the jam. Expect a laid-back atmosphere in a space that allows you to practice with fellow musicians. Register here by Jan. 17.

Join us for the IIN Social Innovation Workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 22. at the UIS Student Union. Learn design thinking principles to develop a competitive application to the IIN Social Innovation and Impact seed grant program and network with other innovators. This free event will be led by the Siebel Center for Design and will begin with registration and a continental breakfast at 9 a.m.

Join the PM Community January Roundtable on Scope Management. Our presenter is Jeff Fox, CIO and Process Improvement Coordinator from Vet Med. Proper scope management helps to ensure efforts and tasks stay inline with the intended goals and outcomes of the project. 

The annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration calendar is now available at go.illinois.edu/MLK2025. Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with events on campus starting with the 39th Annual Advocacy for Social Justice and MLK Countywide Committees' Service of Celebration.

Are you looking to fill part-time positions for spring, summer or fall 2025 semesters? Register for the Illinois Part-Time Job Fair taking place from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 29, at the Illini Union. The Fall Part-Time Job Fair attracted 2,300 students, making this the perfect opportunity to recruit hardworking and dedicated students looking to gain experience. Registration is FREE, but space is limited!

The Center for Gender and Sex in Health is planning a couple of activities for the spring and invites you to its spring semester kick-off. The team would love to have your ideas and is excited to have more faculty participate in leading this effort. Please RSVP for the spring kick-off here by Jan. 14. Also, be sure to subscribe to the CGSH mailing list here to stay in the loop for future events. 

Creative Dance for Children is an innovative community program provided by the University of Illinois Department of Dance, under the direction of Betty Allen. Instructors collaborate to design and deliver creative dance classes tailored for children ages 4-10. 

The short film competition presents a vibrant selection of dance films from diverse cultures around the world. Each film serves as a unique exploration of movement and storytelling. This year's adjudicators include Betsy Brandt, Elliot Reza Emadian and Esteban Donoso. After the screening, festival director Laura Chiaramonte will announce the festival winner and the Audience Award.

There's still time to register for the Chief Engineers and Facility Manager Conference! This training conference features high-quality educational sessions on the latest technologies and applications used in the efficient and sustainable operation of buildings. Industry experts give presentations and offer attendees the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and discuss common interests.

Do you have questions about Canvas? Please join CITL's Instructional Support Team for our Canvas office hours held  11 a.m. to noon every Thursday on Zoom. Attend upcoming open hour here: Zoom Link.

Get ready for tax season! Join us Jan. 16, 2025, on Zoom to learn the basics of tackling taxes. Understand essential concepts to confidently manage your taxes. Registration required.

Topic: "Mismeasuring Impact: How Randomized Controlled Trials Threaten the Nonprofit Sector." Speakers: Jennifer Mosley and Nicole Marwell of the University of Chicago.

The NURISH Study investigates how a healthy diet supports brain and heart health. Participation involves four lab visits (Freer Hall, Urbana) to measure memory and thinking abilities. During the study, you will receive free healthy meals for 3–4 months and $200 upon completion. Contact us at NURISHtrial@gmail.com or schedule a screening call here: Screening Form. IRB24-0265.

Testing the effect of soy flour on hunger, blood sugar and insulin responses. Participants ages 21-45 who are non-smokers, BMI 25-40 kg/m2 and no diabetes will complete questionnaires, product tasting (bread, tortilla or arepa), body composition scans and blood draws. Receive $260 upon completion of four visits for 3-4 hours and free parking. Please fill out our Online Screening if interested 

Recruiting 3- to 4-month-old infants who are exclusively breastfed since birth and have not received any solid foods. We request the collection of three to four infant stool samples. Participants will receive a gift certificate upon sample pick up. For more information, contact Dr. Marcia Siegel at monaco@illinois.edu or 217-244-2873.