A policy has been redirected from the Campus Administrative Manual website: Parental Leave for Graduate Assistants.

The Boldly IT Enterprise Service Management Office invites you to explore the Enterprise IT Service Catalog — your one-stop hub for discovering, requesting and getting help with campus IT service offerings. From account help to email, research computing, data services and device support, campus IT Services are here to support you. We’re frequently adding new offerings and updating existing ones to make your experience even better. Take a few minutes to check it out and see what’s available to support your work, learning and research!

The College of Media now offers an online degree completion program, designed for busy adults who’ve started college but haven’t finished. Students can transfer their credits and earn their bachelor’s degree online with the new BA in Media. Courses cover topics such as social media, digital storytelling, media and technology, and more. Students will build new skills to grow in their current role or to pivot to new career opportunities. If you or someone you know is interested, visit go.illinois.edu/MediaOnline.

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 U.S. culture, and you'll learn about another culture at the same time!

Deadline Extended to Jan. 23! Taking Control of Your Academic Career is an online cohort-based leadership program that provides tools, skills and networking opportunities to junior and mid-career faculty as they navigate the landscape of the institution. The program addresses a range of topics, including the academic environment, mentoring, managing difficult conversations, navigating in times of uncertainty and negotiation skills for problem solving. APPLY by Jan. 23. Co-sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and The Grainger College of Engineering.

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 at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. Thursdays for eight weeks starting Feb. 26. Please click on the link for more info and to register. https://illinois.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7WYjFlJryRK1XpA.

ProctorU's Record+ tool, the primary service for monitoring online exams in undergraduate courses, recently implemented an upgrade with important changes in the exam set up process. CITL's Instructional Support Team is offering office hours on Zoom to provide assistance on this topic. No registration is required, but you do need to use your Illinois Zoom account to enter the ProctorU office hours. Jan. 20 – 23, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (CST) or 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (CST).

University High School on the campus of the U. of I. is in the need of an assistant boys tennis coach. This is a paid position. The coach must be available from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday from March 2 to the end of May. If interested please send resume with reference contacts to athletic director Kyle Hummel - KHummel@illinois.edu.

University Primary School, the Reggio Emilia inspired Preschool-5th Grade laboratory school here on campus for 50+ years, is accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year from Jan. 10 through March 1. Uni Primary’s families hail from campus and the greater community. Schedule a tour on our admissions page and experience Uni Primary, where “Learning is Serious Delight!”

There are spring openings for low-cost treatment for U. of I. campus staff/faculty/students suffering from depression, lethargy, grief, chronic anxiety or worry, social anxiety, fears, anxious avoidance of particular situations or anxiety related to an event. For more information or a free screening appointment, call 217-333-0041. 

The Illinois Health Research Registry is now available to support your research recruitment needs at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. IHR provides a secure and centralized platform where investigators can connect with potential study participants through verified accounts and personalized eligibility matching. Register your study now!

The detection of a natural gas odor is a critical situation. Leave the area immediately and call the F&S Service Office at 217-333-0340 if you smell natural gas or if a natural gas odor is reported to you. Do not use your cellphone while in the affected area. When reporting a natural gas leak or odor, prompt action is vital; call rather than email or submit a service request to expedite response activities.

We're building a Campus Artificial Intelligence Cluster optimized for AI/Machine Learning research and need your input! Take our 5-minute survey at https://go.illinois.edu/Campus-AI-Cluster-Design-Survey to help shape its design and policies. Optional questions add 5-10 minutes. Complete it to receive early access notice before the broad campus announcement and potential pilot/beta testing invitations. Questions? Contact Christopher Heller at cheller@illinois.edu.

The Kaplan All Access Program, which gives U. of I. students FREE access to test prep, ends Feb. 28. Students can enroll now for up to 12 months of access to admissions exams, career credentials and licensure exams as well as skills development and new-hire courses. Whether students are planning for grad school or the workforce, encourage them to enroll before the program sunsets so they don’t miss out. Visit the Kaplan All Access page on our website for the full list of 40 courses and the enrollment portal.

As the spring semester begins, please note that the Writers Workshop can support your students in many ways. Students can schedule an appointment or drop-in for writing feedback through our scheduling website or by phone, email and at our Main Library location. We provide tailored presentations by request and host workshops each week. Check out our website resources, copy or adapt this syllabus statement and encourage your students to stop by!

Please share with your students that the Professional Portrait Lab is back Jan. 20–May 8 at the Illini Union, Room 335, with new days and times: 10 a.m. to noon Monday and Wednesday and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, on a first-come, first-served basis. This free service is for undergraduate and graduate students only. Perfect for LinkedIn, websites, directories and more. Headshots are emailed via WeTransfer within minutes of their visit. No appointment required.

Ever interacted with students who are experiencing conflict with university faculty or staff and are not sure what to do next or what options are available? Have a student with a question about university policies or procedures but they're not sure where to start? Ombuds Assistance and Resources for Students, in the Office of the Dean of Students, supports students in exploring options, resolving conflicts with university faculty and staff and in engaging with the institution in ways that are grounded in fairness and guided by care. Visit oars.illinois.edu for more information.

Time reshapes our desires and priorities. As a new year begins, we’re invited to reflect on what no longer serves our growth and to ask what we must release to move forward. Just as a garden needs pruning to thrive, personal evolution often requires letting go of habits, beliefs or identities that drain our energy. Join us in a symbolic activity of identifying, commemorating and performatively parting ways with aspects of ourselves that compromise our growth and evolution.

Joseph Gone examines the harm of Native American sports mascots, focusing on Chief Illiniwek and how racial stereotyping intersects with university risk management. The lecture launches "At Risk U," a Mellon Sawyer Seminar on academic freedom and democratic governance.

Attend a special Saturday edition of Allerton’s Public Mansion Tours from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 31, and view inside Robert Allerton’s 1900s-era mansion and hear the unique history of the creation of the estate. The tour will last about 60 minutes and will meet in the Mansion Gallery. $15 per person. Register here.

Learn how to improve your health at Basics of Plant-Based Eating from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, in The Studio. Instructor Karla Freeze will share the story of how she regained her health by adding more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds to her diet and cover the six pillars of health by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. $25 per person. Register here by Jan. 25.

Learn about one of the masters of the night at Great Horned Owls: Hiding in Plain Sight from noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, in The Studio. Instructor Mark Glenshaw will share the story of how he has become an expert on this amazing species, presenting how he found the owls and facts about them. $25 per person. Register here by Jan. 24.

If life feels hard and joy is difficult to find, get answers at The Art and Science of Getting Happier: Build the Life You Want from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 27 through Feb. 17, in The Studio. Psychologist Lori Lilly will provide direction on a journey toward living with a greater sense of happiness and a deeper sense of wisdom. $70 per person. Register here by Jan. 26.

Join Yanfeng Ouyang of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as he presents in person at the spring 2026 Kent Seminar Series from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22. Presentations this semester focus on topics related to innovation trends in aviation. Ouyang's lecture will explore how drones can complement trucks for last-mile delivery under aerial congestion. Food and soft drinks will be provided beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the Illinois Center for Transportation Classroom.

The program leader trainings help new and experienced program leaders prepare for their 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. Workshops are hosted both in-person and online. Please visit the Safety Abroad calendar or the homepage of safetyabroad.illinois.edu for more information and to register.

Coffee Across Cultures Hour is a monthly gathering that brings people together over coffee, tea and pastries to explore global traditions and the diverse ways communities connect through shared rituals. Begin the semester with a warm and engaging conversation about how people across the globe welcome the winter season. We will explore holidays, New Year traditions and other seasonal celebrations that bring communities together. Join us to share your own customs and learn how others find joy and meaning during this time of year. Free and open to all.

Join OLLI at Illinois for an exploration of the local architects, homes, schools and civic buildings that shaped a distinctly Midwestern modernism after World War II with Phillip Kalantzis-Cope (photographer, artist and publisher based in Champaign-Urbana). Free and open to the public from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20. Offered in-person in our Osher Classroom (301 North Neil Street, 2nd floor, Champaign - Parking details) and online via Zoom. Email olli@illinois.edu to receive the Zoom link.

In "THE LIFECYCLE OF WRITING SUBJECTS: On Generative AI and the Future of Writing," Lauren M.E. Goodlad (Distinguished Professor at Rutgers) introduces generative artificial intelligence in light of its concentrated political economy, long history of anthropomorphized machine “intelligence” and ongoing impact on the future of writing and human poiesis. Ideal for interdisciplinary audiences and conversation, Goodlad’s approach is technically specific and legible. She concludes with a case for the widespread dissemination of critical AI literacies and the need to put "humanities in the loop."

Don't miss your chance to attend the 5th Annual Student Success Symposium. Register now! The Symposium will be held on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Illini Union. Participate in the ongoing discussion about what our campus is doing and will do to bolster retention and graduation rates, close equity gaps and enhance the Illinois Experience. Deadline to register is Jan. 22.

The LAS Get Experience Expo is designed to help undergraduate students explore ways to apply the knowledge and skills they are developing in their courses to real-world contexts through experiential learning opportunities. We invite faculty, campus partners, student organizations and community partners to host a table to recruit students for your program, research group, internship or experience, share information about your program or the resources you offer and connect with students from multiple backgrounds and majors. You can register here. Deadline is Feb. 2.

We celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy to honor his pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, his powerful advocacy for racial equality, justice and nonviolent change and to inspire ongoing action towards his dream of equality and dignity. The MLK Commemorative Planning Committee will host the MLK Lecture, keynote, Ruben A. Buford May, the Department of Sociology and the MLK Champions keynote speaker, Justin Pearson, a Tennessee state representative and nationally recognized community organizer. Please attend if your schedule allows.

The Illinois Science Explorers Designing and Delivering STEM Outreach workshop helps graduate students build science communication, outreach and leadership skills. Participants learn to simplify complex ideas, design engaging STEM activities for youth and support inclusive learning. Open to all disciplines. Registration closes Jan. 23. Please share this opportunity to help students gain experience while supporting STEM learning in our community.

Hear from Ambassador Shapiro as a distinguished diplomat and foreign policy expert with over two decades of experience in senior U.S. government positions. RSVP is required for this event. If you have not registered in advance, you will not be allowed into the event. Please bring ID. RSVP at www.illinihillel.org/dan-shapiro.

Join us at Riggs Beer Company at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, to hear Corinne Campbell and Danny Ryerson discuss how to utilize games to convey complex scientific concepts while engaging your audience. Hope to see you there!  Presented by the MCB GSA.

Are you looking to hire student employees for the spring, summer or fall 2026? Register for the Illinois Spring Part-Time Job Fair from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 29, at the Illini Union. In the past, this event has attracted 1,000+ students, making this the perfect place to connect with bright, hardworking students eager to gain experience, earn money and contribute their talents on campus. Registration is FREE for campus units. Spots still available! Register today!

NCSA will host Deana McDonagh, professor of industrial design and director of the (dis)Ability Design Studio at the U. of I., at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, as part of the NCSA Colloquium Series. McDonagh will present “Supra-functionality: Designing Technology with Empathy,” examining a collaborative initiative between NCSA and the (dis)Ability Design Studio that illustrates the integration of empathic principles in design practice. View the calendar page here.

Join us for an engaging presentation, discussion and hands-on practice session designed to strengthen your public-speaking skills, where Laura Stengrim will share practical tips and strategies for preparing for everyday professional situations such as conferences, poster sessions, interviews and elevator pitches, helping you build confidence in your communication skills.

Join Dana Johnson, director of external fellowships at the Graduate College, for a practical Webtools session on crafting strong, competitive fellowship proposals that focuses on defining your project, articulating clear goals and tailoring applications to different funding agencies; lunch will be provided for registered attendees.

NCSA is hosting a Machine Learning and Big Data workshop presented by the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center. This workshop will focus on big data analytics and machine learning with Spark and deep learning using Tensorflow. This is an in-person event, and there will not be a virtual option for this event.

January Dance continues the Dance at Illinois production season, "Black on Black; A Celebration of Black Dance." The concert is directed by professor Alexandra Barbier, who will also be premiering a new characteristically humorous and experimental theatrical work. MFA candidate Nik Owens premieres his thesis work, an athletic, probing romp into black queerness. Dance at Illinois distinguished alumni guest artists Laina Reese Werner-Powell and Ty Lewis round out this show, premiering new group works.

Author and performer of the Illini Anthem, Jarrel Young kicks off this semester's Musical Mondays! Jarrel is an Illinois music artist who has been performing across the Midwest and the South. His sound blends the fundamental storytelling lyricism of hip-hop and the edginess of popular rap with the commercial "turn-up" appeal of pop and rock. Jarrel's popularity and mature sound only continue to increase, so don't miss out on this electric performance! This event is free for faculty, staff, students and community members.

Registration is now open for spring 2026 Mental Health First Aid courses. MHFA is a free, evidence-based training that builds practical skills to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges. Full participation earns a three-year, internationally recognized certification. Courses are offered in person, with additional sessions available later in the semester. Register at wellness.illinois.edu/mhfa. Funded by the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act and sponsored by Student Affairs.

Join us for a spirited and gloriously unruly conversation between Holly Hughes — legendary provocateur of the Culture Wars — and theatre-maker Katie Pearl. Together, they take on the unsayable: rape culture, ecological collapse and the ever-growing list of words, topics and truths deemed “too risky” for public discourse. Through a conversation that is equal parts critical inquiry and creative exchange, Hughes and Pearl reflect on the strategies of resistance, politics of representation and generative possibilities that emerge when artists address what dominant discourse attempts to silence.

Do you weave, crochet, knit, felt or embroider? Krannert Art Museum invites you to Knit and Sit! Bring your project and join us for a weaver’s circle in the "Art Since 1948" exhibition at the museum. All ages and experience levels are welcome! First-time knitter? A limited amount of yarn and needles will be available — and anyone wanting to learn can receive a simple knitting lesson. Everyone will get a chance to explore the art on view. Free and open to everyone!  *Parking nearby is free on weekends*

Registration is now open for the third annual Gies Business Supply Chain Management Conference. The conference will take place March 6-7, and centers around exploring how organizations can minimize environmental impact and make ethical, socially responsible decisions that create long-term value. Register now!

The next Online Student Service Watercooler Group meeting is at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, via Zoom. This month, we will be discussing the new student fee that expands access to University Library services, The Office of the Dean of Students and Telus Health Services for all online students.

The series is designed to prepare early-career faculty and research scientists to submit their first R01 or other individual investigator proposals to the National Institutes of Health. Weekly seminars and discussion sessions will be led by faculty who have demonstrated a history of success with NIH proposals and address various aspects of the grant submission process. Registrants may attend one, some or all sessions.

Starting in February, learn how to analyze bulk RNA-Seq data in a hands-on workshop exploring traditional bulk RNA sequencing, experimental design and bioinformatics workflows using HPC and R. Led by High Performance Computing in Biology, the bioinformatics core of the Carver Biotechnology Center, there will be a 3-day main workshop consisting of lecture and hands-on exercises, followed by an optional 3-day advanced workshop where one can analyze their own data with the aid of HPCBio staff. Please click title link for more details!

This webinar will discuss lessons from recent tailings dam failures that were marginally stable before failure due to a combination of factors, such as high phreatic surface, steep slope, fine-grained tailings, dynamic loadings, etc. The severe consequences and fatalities caused by these failures have instituted significant change in Chile and Brazil after the El Cobre and Feijao tailings dam failures, respectively, including improved seismic design, tailings and phreatic surface management and development of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management. 1.0 PDH.

Start your semester the “write” way! Our writing group provides graduate students with dedicated time to make progress on writing in a supportive atmosphere. These groups are ideal for graduate students who are seeking to create or return to a writing routine, make progress and meet deadlines on long-term projects, or jump-start a new writing project. During this time, students will work on their own current writing projects and will not receive feedback. If you’re looking to improve your writing, check out our events or make an appointment to get individualized feedback.

The Office of Data Science Research's Collaboration Community webinar is a venue for multi-disciplinary conversations to identify specific collaboration opportunities related to data science and artificial intelligence. Open to all at the Urbana-Champaign campus as well as other U. of I. campuses. On Feb. 5, the Collaboration Community will explore funding opportunities from NSF and NIH on data science and health and look for opportunities to collaborate on upcoming proposals and other activities.

The Illinois Mexican and Mexican-American student initiative invites you to the Health Promotion Symposium online symposium. Join us for a multidisciplinary discussion aimed at promoting strategic collaborations among scientists from the faculty of Higher Studies Iztacala, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico and the University of Illinois System in health promotion. Register for the event.

The Illinois Mexican and Mexican-American student initiative invites you to the Water and the Environment online symposium. This event aims to promote strategic collaborations among scientists from the Faculty of Higher Studies Iztacala, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico and the University of Illinois System in the areas of water and the environment. Register for the event.

Join two Quick Start Workshops this week (Jan. 22 and 23) to learn how make your digital materials accessible. This week, you'll find workshops to explore key accessibility tips about how to make your PowerPoints and PDFs accessible. Additional workshops on document and course accessibility are scheduled throughout the rest of the semester. Sign up and expand your accessibility skills!

Advocates for Aging Care, a community group, is working to address the critical shortage of skilled nursing facilities in Champaign County. The proposed solution is to create "The Cottages," a new skilled nursing facility. This facility will be a flagship model for the state and nation by providing an innovative approach to skilled nursing care through research opportunities to embed new technologies and educational opportunities for students. Researchers from across campus are encouraged to attend a short informational online session with AAC key organizers to learn more about the project.

Seeking participants (21-64 y/o) 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 alcoholstudyuiuc@gmail.com.

Healthy adults ages 18-40 with no hearing loss but significant difficulty hearing in noise are invited for a study on listening in noise. There is an online survey to determine eligibility followed by lab visits for those who qualify. Lab visits include hearing screening, listening to sounds and measuring ear and brain activity. There is a maximum of three lab visits, each lasting 2-3 hours. Compensation for lab visits is paid in cash ($15 per hour). Parking is covered, and mileage is reimbursed ($0.655 per mile, up to a maximum of 37.5 miles per visit). To participate, complete our survey.

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.

The Nutrition and Exercise Performance Research Group is looking for participants to partake in a 2-day study to establish the utility of the indicator amino acid oxidation method in adults. Participation in this study involves 2-day habituation lead in with all meals provided, muscle biopsies and blood, breath and urine sampling during two all-day trials. Upon completion, you will receive $150 and information about your body composition and caloric needs. Contact our lab (NEPRESEARCH@illinois.edu) for more information! Male participants are strongly encouraged!

Seeking 30-65-year-old Spanish speakers born and raised in Mexico for a study of Spanish in the U.S. Participants complete language tasks in Spanish in our lab via Zoom in one hour session. Compensation is $20. Email Karen Pasetto Ovelar at karendp2@illinois.edu to schedule an appointment.