The Provost’s Office, in conjunction with the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, have revised the Academic Integrity Training course to provide a more streamlined verification process. This new version offers a single badge for completion, rather than three, and can be accessed here: Academy Integrity Training. If students have already completed the original course, they can still access their badges through the Badges Backpack.

Our Help Desk at the Illini Union location is getting renovated! We are in the same room, but now in the way back. Pop in to Illini Union Room 187 and find us 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Join us for an introductory, in-person training designed for community members and the public who play a vital role in identifying concerning behaviors and potential threats. TERO highlights the power of community involvement and introduces a behavioral approach to violence prevention. Location: Illini Union Time: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Doors open at 8 a.m.) Capacity: Limited to 30 participants per session. The Jan. 29 session is nearly full! We encourage early registration for the last upcoming sessions April 30. Register here to reserve your spot.

The 2026 C-U STEAMM Fair is a collaboration between partners of the Illinois Center for Family and Community Engaged STEAMM like Street College, IQUIST, the Hip Hop Innovation Center and more. The theme is “Creative Connections: The Intersection of Art and STEMM" for local middle and high school students to explore science, technology, engineering, math and medicine through the lens of art and design. Seeking hands-on activities, demos and displays from campus units, RSOs and community orgs. Proposals due Feb. 8. For more info: go.illinois.edu/steamm-fair-cfp.

If you’ve completed some college but haven’t finished your undergraduate degree, the online Bachelor of Liberal Studies is built for you. Turn your past progress into a powerful future through a flexible, supportive and career-focused program designed to fit your life. With asynchronous courses, multiple start dates, personalized support and part-time enrollment options, the program adapts to you. The U. of I. employee tuition waiver is accepted. To learn more, visit go.illinois.edu/FinishDegree and book a one-to-one appointment. RSVP for a virtual info session!

The Graduate College is now recruiting hosts for the Career Exploration Fellowship.  This program connects PhD 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 a fellow in fall 2026? Email gradsuccess@illinois.edu.

The Center for Social and Behavioral Science and Institute of Government and Public Affairs are excited to announce the second year of the Partnerships for Evidence-based Public Policy faculty fellowship program in 2026-27. This program creates a bridge between research experts and the public by enabling mid-career faculty across the Illinois System to conduct year-long policy research projects with Illinois government partners. The PEPP application will open on Feb. 1. A virtual info session will be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 28. Register here. 

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 Thursdays at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. 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">https://illinois.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7WYjFlJryRK1XpA

The Beckman Institute recently published, "Questions Led the Way: May's Misadventures at the Beckman Institute." This picture book is aimed at elementary-age children. It offers a fun look at STEM careers and helps students see themselves in the research happening each day at Beckman. Hardback copies are available to purchase at Beckman's Ted's Cafe for $18.50, plus tax. The cafe is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Spring openings for low-cost treatment for adults in the community, including U. of I. faculty/staff and 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. Psychological Services Center, 505 E. Green St. Champaign.

Spring openings for low-cost therapy for kids in the community and family of U. of I. faculty/staff/students struggling with feelings of sadness, withdrawal from activities, anxiety, post-traumatic symptoms, social fears, family conflict behavior management difficulties and other concerns. In-person or virtual sessions available. For more information and free-screening appointments, call 217-333-0041. Psychological Services Center, 505 E. Green St., Champaign.

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 graduate 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.

Illinois International is excited to launch GUIDE - Global Understanding, Intercultural Development and Engagement, a new professional learning series for faculty, staff and scholars. GUIDE sessions focus on building intercultural awareness, strengthening communication across difference and developing practical skills for engaging effectively in a global university environment. Explore upcoming trainings and register now through the GUIDE website.

Illinois International is excited to launch GROW — Global and Intercultural Readiness Workshops, a new workshop series designed for students who want to build intercultural awareness, communication skills and global readiness. GROW workshops provide practical tools and guided activities to help students navigate cultural differences, reflect on identity and perspective, and prepare for learning, leadership and future careers in a global context. Explore upcoming workshops and register on the GROW website. Open to all students.

The spring 2026 President's Research Travel Assistance Program application period begins Jan. 27. This competitive award grants up to 10 graduate/professional students a maximum of $600 in funding to travel to professional conferences between Apr. 1 and Sept. 30, for the purpose of presenting papers, posters or creative work related to issues of representation (e.g., scholarly and/or creative work on socioeconomic status, rural vs. urban, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and national origin). Learn more and apply by Feb. 25 at https://go.uillinois.edu/PRTA.

Reservation bookings are NOW OPEN for the Technology Services ICS computer classrooms for the fall 2026 semester. Classroom labs provide instructors and students with current computers, up to date software, on site help, audiovisual equipment and collaboration stations. Reservations can be made online for individual dates or recurring times throughout the semester.

TalkCampus is a peer support platform offered by the Counseling Center that helps Illinois students connect with others who have lived experience navigating common college stressors. It is safely monitored, anonymous and available 24/7 in 26 languages. Students can post, chat with a trained TalkCampus Buddy, join group discussions, journal and access self-guided well-being resources. Students can sign up at talkcampus.com/sign-up using their Illinois email and access it via web or mobile app.

It’s the LAST semester to use your Illini Cash — the program is discontinuing on June 30. You are encouraged to spend down this balance before the program ends. When you use your Illini Cash balance — for all or a portion of a purchase — you can receive discounts at participating locations. Visit go.illinois.edu/IlliniCashFAQ (“Using Illini Cash” section) for more information. Please see individual locations for specific limitations.

Full-time U. of I. students who excel in both academics and athletics (at any level) are encouraged to apply for the 2026-27 IAA Strive Scholarship. Undergraduate applicants must rank in the top 25% of their college. Graduate and professional students must be in good academic standing. Criteria for athletic excellence include sustained participation in amateur athletics for personal development, rather than career objectives, and special aptitude or ability in athletic endeavors. Learn more and apply at scholarships.uaps.uillinois.edu/strive/ by Feb. 8.

The Library is looking for input in designing support for Procreate software. If you have used or would like to use Procreate, please fill out this short form. Thank you!

The Counseling Center offers a variety of skill-building programs that can help students academically and beyond. We currently provide programming on managing perfectionism, focusing and attention, test anxiety and distress tolerance. The URL above will allow you to learn about the programming, view schedules and register. Please pass this info along to students who may benefit.

Schedule in-person, video call or written feedback appointments at the Writers Workshop to receive feedback on your writing through our scheduling website or by phone, email or coming to our Main Library location. The Workshop provides tailored presentations for courses and student organizations by request, and we host presentations throughout the semester about common academic writing concerns. View our calendar for upcoming workshops and events!

The Conference and Event Services team can assist with your event from start to finish, whether you need help finding the perfect venue, managing registrations or coordinating vendors, we take care of the details. We offer full registration management, including payment collection, and comprehensive event coordination. Contact our team to learn more about how we can support your next event.

The Discovery Partners Institute invites you to join a Town Hall as the institute continues to evolve amid Chicago’s growing momentum as a global hub for technology and innovation. Hosted by Rashid Bashir, vice chancellor for Chicago Strategic Partnerships and dean of The Grainger College of Engineering, the DPI Town Hall will offer an opportunity to hear directly from leadership, gain insight into DPI’s evolving role within the Chicago tech ecosystem and engage in discussion about what lies ahead.

Join us for an engaging presentation, discussion and hands-on practice session designed to strengthen your public-speaking skills. Laura Stengrim will share practical tips and strategies to help you prepare for everyday professional situations, including conferences, poster sessions, interviews and elevator pitches. Come ready to learn, participate and build confidence in your communication skills!

The Intensive Language Instruction Program offers 30 hours of immersive, engaging language learning. Choose in‑person classes (two hours per day) or live Zoom sessions (three hours per day). Experienced instructors blend culture and communication to build real‑world confidence in 12 different languages. Program begins June 1. Non‑credit and just for fun! Learn more at go.illinois.edu/ilip.

The Lincoln Legacy Teaching and Learning Community is hosting its annual conference for educators and instructional technology professionals on Monday, May 18, and Tuesday, May 19. In preparation for this conference, proposals are being accepted on the topics of Applied Innovations in Teaching and Learning, Designing for Student Engagement and Accessibility, Supporting Student Learning, Enhancing Teaching and Learning with AI and Emerging Issues in Higher Education. All submissions are due on Thursday, Feb. 12. Submit proposals here. Attend this LLTLC Annual Conference. Register.

How does recognizing the fundamental entanglements of humans and the more-than-human world impact notions of "justice"? Drawing on perceptions from diverse communities, disciplines and social, political and historical contexts, this symposium will provide a space for us to grapple with the question: What might a more just world or worlds look like in the 21st Century? Alex Blanchette (Anthropology, Tufts University) and Daina Bray (Yale Law School) join an interdisciplinary group of scholars for an extended conversation about multi-species justice.

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

"BLKNWS: Terms and Conditions" is an Afro-futurist film directed by Kahlil Joseph that braids fictional and historical characters in a stunning cinematic experience spanning 247 years across land and sea. Following the screening of this highly acclaimed film (including a Best of Festival ranking by Metacritic at the Sundance premiere), lead screenwriter Irvin Hunt will moderate a discussion with Joseph and fellow screenwriter Madebo Fatunde. Opening reception in the lobby starting at 3:30 p.m.

Join us for a spirited, gloriously unruly conversation between Holly Hughes — legendary Culture Wars provocateur and queer feminist performance icon — and Katie Pearl, an acclaimed theatre-maker whose work grapples with the climate crisis. Together they tackle the unsayable: rape culture, ecological collapse and the growing list of ideas deemed “too risky” for public discourse, exploring resistance, representation and what becomes possible when artists speak what power tries to silence.

Join the Division of Research Safety to celebrate Laboratory Safety Awareness Week from Feb. 9-13. The week is filled with fun events to celebrate lab safety at Illinois. Meet DRS staff, escape the unsafe lab, show us your extreme lab makeover and more! Check out the DRS Lab Safety Awareness Week webpage for the details.

What does a world built on love and care look like? High school writers will explore the craft of science fiction and fantasy through reading speculative short stories and examining how writers construct entire worlds from the ground up. But instead of just studying world building, you'll practice it. Working collaboratively, you'll imagine and design a world rooted in care for self and community, then write yourself into it. Through first-person narrative, you'll explore what it means to live in a world you've helped create, one that centers connection, justice and possibility.

The U. of I. Writing Project is pleased to announce its Young Writers Camps for elementary- and middle-grade writers. Students finishing grades 1-8 may enroll for one or both weeks, facilitated by enthusiastic local teachers. Young writers can experiment in a variety of writing styles and receive feedback from peers. See the link for more information, cost and registration. Priority registration closes March 13.

Do you have a story waiting to be told? This workshop is your chance to share yours. Join Family Life Educator Emily Harmon from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays starting Feb. 5, at the storefront adjacent to the Salt and Light store. We'll guide you through fun weekly writing activities, helping you find your voice and build confidence as you translate your life story onto the written page. Participants may also record their stories at WILL Radio and submit them to the Library of Congress! Be open, be willing to explore and watch your story unfold. Salt and Light will provide lunch for this series.

Join Greg White of the University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia) as he presents via Zoom at the spring 2026 Kent Seminar Series from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29. Presentations this semester focus on topics related to innovation trends in aviation. White's lecture will explore trends in airport pavements. Food and soft drinks will be provided beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the Illinois Center for Transportation Classroom.

Applications for two career development programs — FOCUS and Career Certificate–International — are open for spring 2026. These semester-long programs are designed to help your students build career competencies, gain practical skills and take their next step in their career journey. Applications close Feb. 1. 

New FAFSA/Alternative application drop-in hours at the First Generation Student Initiatives office, hosted by ISACorps member Anisa Chatman! No appointments needed; open to all students! 

The 24th annual Women’s and Gender History Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will take place March 5-7. This year’s theme is Gender and Labor. Across time and space, what it means to do labor has been shaped by social factors like gender, sexuality, race, class and (dis)ability. Additionally, labor has always impacted the way that people perform and embody gender throughout the world. This year's conference will feature graduate research and keynote speakers Arunima Datta and Eric McDuffie. You may now register here!

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."

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 a book launch of "Justice in the Balance: Democracy, Rule of Law and the European Court of Human Rights," featuring author and professor Jessica Greenberg in conversation with faculty panelists from the College of Law and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Free and open to the public; registration not required.  

Racism is considered a fundamental cause of health inequities, but research has been limited by lack of data. Since the digitization of New Deal-era redlining maps from the Home Owners' Loan Corporation, there has been an explosion of research examining historic redlining and present-day neighborhood environmental hazards and health. In this talk, Helen Meier of the University of Michigan will discuss the application of HOLC maps in population health research and new efforts to characterize historic environmental hazards using the Sanborn Fire Insurance maps. Lunch will be provided!

In her 2025 book "Unbecoming Persons: The Rise and Demise of the Modern Moral Self," philosopher Ladelle McWhorter (University of Richmond) describes the agony of trying and failing to be a good person. The concepts, values and goals associated with personhood make unfulfillable demands on people in a globalized capitalist economy. She traced the history, effects, exclusions, political and economic investments of personhood and its power to shape our ethical lives. She will discuss what she discovered, including the possibility that we might lead ethical lives without being persons at all.

Celebrate opening night of the museum’s latest exhibition, Another Place: Storymaking the Entangled Prairie | School of Art and Design Faculty, featuring new work by 11 artists. Enjoy a salon talk with the curators, music and a dessert bar. Featured artists: Ryan Griffis, Emmy Lingscheit, Melissa Pokorny, Sharath Chandra Ramakrishnan, Stacey A. Robinson, Joel Ross, Stephen Signa-Avilés, Blair Ebony Smith, Nekita Thomas, Deke Weaver and Brooke C. White. *Parking nearby is free after 5 p.m.* 

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, Mexico, the National Autonomous University of 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, Mexico, the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the University of Illinois System in the areas of water and the environment. Register for the event.

This workshop will give you hands-on experience using NVIDIA CUDA-Q for writing and running quantum programs. The workshop is intended for quantum computing beginners.

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!

The iSchool's Center for Informatics Research in Science and Scholarship will host Sarah Lawsky, the L.B. Lall and Sumitra Devi Lall Professor of Law at the U. of I. College of Law, presenting "Computational Law, Transparency, and Accountability: The Case of Direct File" on Wednesday, Jan. 28, as part of its The Artificial Intelligence Disruption speaker series.  More information is at this link.

Join two Quick Start Workshops this week (Jan. 29 and 30) to learn how make your digital materials accessible. This week, you'll find workshops to explore key accessibility tips about how to make your Microsoft Word docs (and more!) accessible. Additional workshops on document and course accessibility are scheduled throughout the rest of the semester. Sign up and expand your accessibility skills!

The Illinois Computes Program is hosting a 1-hour webinar that will introduce the computational resources and support available to Illinois researchers through the Illinois Computes program, other on-campus services and the national NSF-supported ACCESS program. We will discuss the various resources and services available and the processes to request this support.

NCSA is offering a 2-hour workshop for campus researchers Feb. 10, to introduce the Illinois Campus Cluster and teach how to perform basic tasks in its cluster environment. There are no prerequisites for this workshop. A user account on the ICC will be provided for the hands-on exercises. Register by Feb. 6. 

Exploring Textual Representations of Enslavement in Children's Books and Comics — Ebony Elizabeth Thomas joins us virtually to explore visual representations of the Middle Passage in children’s picture books and comics, re-envisioning the slave ship as a metaphorical floating “dark forest” — a recurring motif that has often been reinforced in speculative fiction and fairy tales as a space of terror, transformation and transmission. This Zoom talk is open to the public, and all are welcome to register.

Join the Writers Workshop to learn about genre expectations for personal statements and strategies for drafting and tailoring your statement. We will review a range of disciplines. Register using your Illinois email by Jan. 27 to receive the Zoom meeting details on the morning of the event.

To understand how personal experience is related to how people read, we invite teens (14-17) who speak English at home for an in-person study. We record the eye-movements while they read on a computer. Time: 70-90 minutes. Compensation: $30 and parking. Reach out to schedule an appointment or with any questions to the project PI, Anastasia Stoops, at agusico2@illinois.edu. 

Do you get back or neck pain at work? Help us design better workspaces by taking a quick online anonymous survey that is part of a graduate design research study at the U. of I. Your input with help inform new workspace solutions to reduce physical strain and improve mobility and posture for everyday office workers and students. If you are between the ages of 18-65, work or study in a sedentary environment like an office, lab or home office, and spend multiple hours each day seated while doing this work, we need your input.

Looking for children and teenagers (ages 5-17) who are native speakers of American English and have normal hearing. The purpose of this research is to study how and when children develop the ability to process sounds in noisy environments, such as busy classrooms and other crowded environments. Participants will listen and respond to speech samples and receive a hearing test during one or two 1- to 2-hour visits. Compensation of $15 per hour will be provided after each visit. Free on-site parking available! To learn more, fill out our screener or email: anex-lab@illinois.edu.

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.

Looking for participants who own a wearable fitness device (e.g., smartwatch, fitness band, smartring), are 18 to 65 years old, and live an active lifestyle. Participants will be asked to do a “show and tell” of their wearable fitness device and two additional personal items by sharing their thoughts on fitness, brands and advertising in a virtual interview lasting 45 to 60 minutes. Compensation of a $35 gift card will be provided after completion of interview. If you are interested in the study, please contact Kirby Cook (kmlcook@illinois.edu).

Participants needed for research study on effects of aging on brain activity and behavioral performance. Participants must be native English speakers, right-handed, have at least a high school education (or equivalent) and no significant memory issues. Participants will be compensated. For more information, please contact the Aging and NeuroCognition Lab (AANCL) at AANCL-Lab@illinois.edu or 217-265-6574.

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 alcoholstudyuiuc@gmail.com.

The Family Resiliency Center is looking for volunteers (18+ years old) to help with a research study aimed at improving how we measure biomarkers in saliva. Your participation only takes about 20 minutes, and you will just need to provide a saliva sample and answer a short survey. You can do it from home, work, community setting or in our lab, whichever works best for you. Why does your spit matter? Because you can help us validate a handheld device that could make health monitoring more accessible and efficient for everyone. To participate, simply email spit-device-study@illinois.edu.

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!