This brand-new version of the workshop is a 90-minute engaging session designed for all staff across the university to connect with the Illinois brand. You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the Illinois brand platform, practical strategies for integrating the brand into your unit's communications and inspiration for effective brand storytelling. This workshop also provides a valuable opportunity to network with your peers throughout the university. Register here for an online session Aug. 21.

We are excited to announce that a new campus tool, Illinois Chat, will be available in an open beta model for faculty to leverage in their courses. Illinois Chat was developed by NCSA in partnership with the Office of the CIO, Illinois Computes and CITL. With Illinois Chat, you can build chatbots tailored to your course materials, provide students with a 24/7 resource for guiding through assignments and experiment with new ways of enhancing student engagement. If you’re interested in leveraging this tool and testing the open beta model for your courses, please complete this survey.

The Illini Union Bookstore is welcoming HELLO KITTY with a brand new shopping experience on the second floor. Stop by to get all of your HELLO KITTY + Illinois exclusive apparel and gifts. You don't want to miss out on this partnership! 

Need help communicating your expectations around AI usage to your students? The "AI in This Course" Canvas module from the University Library includes a brief overview of how AI works, plus an adjustable template for AI policies that support your learning outcomes. Updates for fall 2025 include expanded resources on privacy, AI in the research process and AI's environmental impact. To add the module to your course, log in to Canvas, click on the "Commons" button and search for "AI in This Course." You will be able to modify the module before making it visible to your students.

The Career Services Council is excited to announce the Career Development Toolkit, a Canvas site for students that meets them wherever they are. It offers self-paced modules on a platform they already know, but without grades or deadlines. Whether they’re identifying interests, exploring options, gaining experience, showcasing accomplishments or building connections, the Toolkit will guide them. Please share it with your students or explore it yourself! Click here to enroll!

Take the stage during the Illinois Homecoming Global Talent Show! We’re looking for individuals or groups to share their talent and celebrate the rich diversity and talent of our international community. All talents are welcome. Complete the performer application form at https://go.illinois.edu/GTSApplication2025 to apply to be featured in the show. The deadline to apply is at 11:59 p.m. CST Sept. 1.

The Oratorio Society, a symphonic choir comprising students, faculty, staff and community members, invites singers to join its 2025-26 roster. This year's repertoire will include Duruflé's "Requiem," the U.S. premiere of Karin Rehnqvist's "Silent Earth," Poulenc's "Gloria" and the Verdi Requiem. Tuesday evening rehearsals begin at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26, in Krannert 2317. For more information, please reach out to Andrew Major (amajor@illinois.edu).  

Group fitness classes, including cycle, strength, HIIT, Pilates, Sculpt and Flow, etc., at Campus Recreation are available early morning, during lunch time and after work hours. Faculty and staff who are Campus Recreation members can receive a 10% discount for a group fitness membership using the code "GF10" if purchased on Aug. 23 or Aug. 24 on Active Illini.

Take the urban and rural area safety plan surveys by Saturday, Aug. 30, and help the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission and the Champaign Urbana Urban Area Transportation Study program provide better travel for everyone throughout local communities. Your feedback will support planning efforts for general street conditions, roadway layouts where safety features could be improved, opportunities for incorporating new technologies, perceptions of overall multimodal safety and more. The results will benefit thoroughfares connected to the University District.

The Graduate College's Career Exploration Fellowship connects Ph.D. students with campus units for mentored work experience. Host units hire a Fellow for a 25% graduate assistantship, and the Fellow receives an additional fellowship/tuition waiver. Enthusiastic learners, skilled workers and innovative thinkers, Fellows contribute significantly to units. Curious about hosting in spring 2026? Email gradsuccess@illinois.edu. 

The University of Illinois System announces the 2025-26 competition for the Paul D. Doolen Graduate Scholarship for the Study of Aging, sponsored by the Retirement Research Foundation. The purpose of the award is to stimulate and support interest in the study of aging, i.e., biological aspects of the aging process; sociological concomitants of aging; treatment of diseases of the elderly; care of the aged or other topics related to aging. Two scholarships of up to $4,000 will be awarded to graduate students in their second year of study or beyond. Applications accepted through Oct. 5.

The Orange Room in the Main Library is staying open later! Beginning Aug. 25, enjoy an extra hour of study time — the Orange Room will now be open until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday (excluding breaks). To make this possible, Main Stacks and the Circulation Desk will close at 9 p.m. on those days. The University Library is adjusting hours to better support when and where students study most.

The University Distinguished Teacher-Scholar Award honors faculty at Illinois who go beyond exemplary teaching to lead sustained, high-impact efforts that elevate teaching and learning across campus. Recipients become part of the University Distinguished Teacher-Scholar Academy and receive recognition at the Celebration of Teaching Excellence. Nominate someone by Nov. 1.

Get a behind-the-scenes tour of Illinois Public Media’s television and radio studios located at Campbell Hall. IPM is the home of WILL, the region’s PBS and NPR member stations, and has been broadcasting for over 100 years. IPM's radio stations include News/Talk on AM 580, classical music on FM 90.1 and Soul/R&B music on Illinois Soul FM 101.1, along with three television stations broadcasting on WILL-TV, Channel 12. Contact Dannon Dripps to schedule a 30-minute tour for your class or group.

Join the Advanced TA Support Program to build community, strengthen your teaching and prepare for the academic job market. This free two-semester program offers in-person support through workshops, one-on-one consultations and cohort meetings. You'll receive guidance on building a Canvas course, fostering an inclusive learning environment and navigating sensitive discussions. Additionally, you will develop materials like a teaching philosophy and portfolio. Graduate students who teach for two semesters and complete the program will qualify for the Graduate Teacher Certificate. Sign-up now!

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!

CampusWell provides health and wellness articles and videos for the campus community. Topics incorporate the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, ranging from nutrition, mindfulness, time management and finances. Faculty members are 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.

Design courses that support all students in this four-part series on inclusive teaching (Inclusive Syllabus - Inclusive Policies to Support All Students, Inclusive Course Structures and Strategies to Support Student Learning and Success, Inclusion through Diversifying Your Curriculum and Inclusive Strategies for Facilitating Difficult and Sensitive Discussions). Sign up for this series to explore strategies for crafting flexible syllabi, diversifying curriculum, structuring equitable learning environments and facilitating respectful, community-centered discussions.

Which wall of science or society will your research break? The Illinois Innovation Network invites students and early-career researchers to pitch your breakthrough ideas at Falling Walls Lab Illinois on Friday, Sept. 12, at Innovate Springfield. Convince a panel of judges how innovative your idea is and win a trip to Berlin, Germany, to compete in the Falling Walls Lab global finale in November! Applications are due by Aug. 28.

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 U. of I. students. Interested students can sign up using the link. 

Are you looking to fill part-time positions for the upcoming semester or beyond? Register for the 2025 Fall Illinois Part-Time Job Fair from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 3, at the Illini Union. This popular event has drawn over 2,000 students in the past, making it a great opportunity to recruit hardworking, dedicated students eager to gain experience. Registration is FREE for university units, but space is limited! For more information and to register. visit Handshake.

A reminder that the Fulbright U.S. Scholar application deadline is Sept. 15! If you are considering a Fulbright program and would like tips for writing a strong Fulbright application followed by Q&A with members from IIE, we encourage you to attend the upcoming Writing Clinic on Aug. 26. This webinar will help you submit a successful application in time.

Registration is open for the 2025 Personalized Nutrition Innovation Day - Exploring the Nexus of Technology, Behavior and Personalized Nutrition that will be held on Oct. 28. Campus faculty, researchers, post-docs and students can submit abstracts (by Sept. 25). Visit our website for the agenda, registration and abstract submission. This event is co-sponsored by the PNI, the Healthcare Innovation Program Office at NCSA and CSBS. 

The Illinois Leadership Center application for small group facilitators for our leadership labs for the 2025-2026 academic year has been extended until Aug. 31. Facilitators are provided a stipend for each program they assist with. More information about the expectations of the position can be found here. Interested individuals can apply here.

Step into a world where nature meets creativity at Mushroom Mosaics from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, in the Allerton Park Mansion Carriage House. In this workshop perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, instructor Danielle Reed will guide students through the process of designing and making their own decorative mushroom sculpture using mosaic techniques. $70 per person. Register here by Sept. 4.

Enjoy a delightfully unpredictable time at Allerton Park at an Improv Show from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, in the Mansion Library. Providing entertainment will be Zoo Improv, which has has served up laughter in the Champaign-Urbana area with performers hailing from across the area. $10 per person. Register here by Aug. 29.

Don’t miss the 2025 SPaRC Retreat on Sept. 12! Join campus research administrators for a full day of connection, learning and celebration. Hear from dynamic guest speakers, get the latest on research policies and initiatives and dive into breakout sessions packed with valuable tools and insights. Register now and be part of shaping the future of research at Illinois!

Help celebrate a recent room renovation at Allerton Park at the House in the Woods Room Dedication with the Noecker Family from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5, at the House in the Woods. The community is invited to see the updates made to Room 1, thanks to the generosity of the Joe Noecker Family. Free, but please register here by Sept. 4.

Get a taste of all that is Allerton at the Allerton Experience Retreat on Sept. 5-7 (Friday through Sunday). Take part in some of the most popular activities at Allerton, combining history, food, hikes and workshops into one weekend to create the ultimate Allerton Experience! Also included are a variety of fun and festive meals. $250 per person. Register here by Aug. 29. 

Learn to analyze spatial RNA-Seq data in this hands-on workshop exploring spatial technologies, experimental design and bioinformatics workflows using HPC and R. Led by High Performance Computing in Biology, the bioinformatics core of the Carver Biotechnology Center, the main workshop will offer remote and optional advanced sessions where one can apply learned skills to their own dataset will be held in-person. There are prerequisites, so please sign up early to allow time to acquire any missing knowledge (asynchronous prep materials will be provided). Please click title link for more details.

Learn to analyze 16S, 18S, ITS or similar amplicon data in this hands-on workshop focused on microbial community structure and diversity, led by High Performance Computing in Biology, the bioinformatics core of the Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center. This workshop will cover processing, taxonomic classification, diversity analysis and more! There are prerequisites, so please sign up early to allow yourself time to acquire any missing knowledge. Asynchronous prep materials will be provided for those needing a refresher. Please click title link for more details.

You are invited to the semester's first Resources for Researchers Office Hours. This overview of campus research support resources was designed to provide direct access to the university’s leading research support professionals. Meet representatives from Illinois Computes, University Library, REDCap and Tech Services and discover a wealth of tools and support to propel your research initiatives forward. All are welcome!

As part of its Noontime Knowledge series, the F&S Diversity and Inclusion Committee is hosting two speakers from Faculty/Staff Assistance and Well-Being Services: assistant director Sara Maxwell and program assistant Yasmin Ofiana. They will discuss the many services FSAWS can offer to university employees. Attendees can learn about FSAWS support for creating and maintaining sustainable, healthy habits and ask questions about its programs and resources. To join the Zoom meeting at noon Wednesday, Aug. 20, register at https://go.fs.illinois.edu/diversityandinclusion.

Seeking participants (21-64 year olds) who had a sleeve gastrectomy 1-5 years ago or have not had any bariatric surgeries (control group). Participants must not smoke and drink alcohol at least once a month. There will be blood draws, body composition assessments, alcohol challenge tests and questionnaires. Compensation will be provided (up to $850 upon completion of four visits and free parking). Please fill out our online pre-screening form if you're interested, using the following link: https://illinois.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7R2VUEoOuh2cTXw, or contact ornella2@illinois.edu. 

Help make the Next Alcohol Fitbit! The Alcohol Research Lab is looking for participants for a validation study of transdermal biosensing bracelets. Participation involves attending three laboratory sessions, wearing at least two transdermal bracelets (on your non-dominant hand) and filling out surveys for two weeks. Up to $400 in compensation for participation.

Are you interested in a study involving research that will lead to advances in screening, treatment and care of Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder? We seek participants who currently have MDD or AD and participants who do not have either of these conditions. Participating in the study will involve completing surveys about physical and mental health and participating in an interview.