缅北禁地

From Provost Schwab

Greetings,

I hope your fall semester is progressing in good ways. It is hard to believe that the mid-point of the semester is quickly approaching. The first half has been a bit of a blur, hence the September newsletter arriving in October.

I provide a lengthy update on the Academic Portfolio Review and Program Prioritization on the OIRE Projects & Initiatives web page. I encourage you to read that and continue to check out the APR website for updates. We will also be holding a Q&A session this Wednesday, October 8th from 2:00-3:30 in UHB 3145. This will be an opportunity for faculty and staff to ask any lingering questions about the APR-Program Prioritization and to discuss next steps in the process.

We recently celebrated Dr. Brandon Derman, Associate Professor, Integrated Sciences, Sustainability and Public Health, winner of the 2025 University Scholar Award. Thanks to everyone who was able to attend the award luncheon and hear about Brandon鈥檚 research.

We will soon launch the university-wide UIS Experience Survey which will open on 10/20 and run through 11/21. I strongly encourage all faculty, students, and staff to complete the survey. A Survey Action Group with membership assembled from across university will study the survey results and recommend actions based on those results.

The search for the next Dean of the College of Public Affairs and Education is underway. I thank Bob Blankenberger for his willingness to chair this important search. The goal is to bring candidates to campus in November and be able to identify the next dean by the end of the calendar year.

We are beginning to prepare for our 10-year reaffirmation with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) coming up in 2027-2028. Michele Gribbins, Associate Provost for Institutional Research and Effectiveness, is leading the effort to organize this institution-wide endeavor. There will be many ways to engage in this important work in the coming weeks and months. We also recently submitted our Financial Composite Index 鈥� Response Plan to HLC. This plan was required by HLC due to the financial challenges faced by the university. We anticipate receiving an evaluation of our response later this fall.

Clearly there is a lot going on. And there are many unsettling things taking place around us. Although it is important to stay informed, I encourage everyone to avoid falling into the trap of social media and the 24/7 news cycle. Instead, I encourage maintaining focus on what is best for our students and taking care of yourselves, your families, friends, and loved ones. If you need help or support, don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out. Thanks for all you do for UIS.

Brandon

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Connect with the Provost

Important Initiatives

Academic Portfolio Review/Program Prioritization

We appreciate the engagement and commitment the university community has demonstrated in this important effort. Answers to questions that have been posed and recent updates shared with Campus Senate, UEOs, and Chancellor's Administrative Council can be found on the OIRE Projects & Initiatives web page.

As noted above, we will also be holding a Q&A session this Wednesday, October 8th from 2-3:30 pm in UHB 3145 for faculty and staff to ask any lingering questions about the APR-Program Prioritization and to discuss next steps in the process.

We are committed to learning from the process and outcomes, considering feedback and making adjustments for the next cycle of review. As previously mentioned, this is not a one-off activity, but rather an important cyclical process needed for continuous improvement. It is anticipated that a 3-year cycle will be implemented to allow time to see changes take effect while maintaining momentum for continuous improvement.

University Experience Survey

Later this month, all faculty, staff, and students will be invited to participate in a University Experience Survey, a vital tool for understanding the experiences, perceptions, and needs of our university community. To ensure broad participation and meaningful follow-through, a University Experience Survey Action Group has been formed. This group will promote awareness and encourage participation in the survey, review and interpret survey results, and propose an action plan based on findings. More information, including group members, can be found on the OIRE website. Watch your e-mail starting October 20th for a link to the survey.

HLC Quality Initiative (QI) Advising Update: A Desire to Change and Improve

The Global Community for Academic Advising [NACADA] consultants met with various members of the UIS community on April 14-15 2025 to conduct a program review of UIS academic advising. Our advising infrastructure, policies and procedures were evaluated in the backdrop of NACADA鈥檚 Nine Conditions of Excellence of Academic Advising and practical frameworks for effective advising as seen on their . Their executive summary highlights overarching strengths and challenges, and the Advising Report provides . As said so well by NACADA, 鈥淐hange is never easy, but the desire to change and improve exists at UIS, providing the needed motivation to create a sustainable and effective advising structure.鈥�

The NACADA/QI Steering Committee, co-chaired by Dr. Shipra Gupta and Dr. Mike Roth, embraces several , which promote collaborative, considered processes. The Steering Committee has been charged with following up on the NACADA recommendations to streamline and improve the advising experience primarily for students, but also for faculty and staff. The Steering Committee is broken into [Curricular; Relationship; Assessment; Advising Structure] that in sum address the NACADA recommendations.

The NACADA program review and recommendations are important and relevant to our efforts to satisfy the HLC Quality Initiative for our upcoming reaccreditation.

Opportunities to Make a Difference

U of I Mental Health Symposium and Resources

U of I Students and Employees are invited to the system-wide event, "Bite-Sized Wellbeing During Uncertain Times: Evidence, Practice and Resources to Share", scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, from 1 - 3 p.m. CST, free via Zoom. !

Another resource, the new website, features additional information about the symposium, as well as and for faculty, staff, and students across the U of I System. You will find helpful information for employees and students on how to:

• Recognize signs of mental health challenges in others and themselves.
• Respond with practical, supportive strategies.
• Connect individuals to available university resources

News Worth Celebrating

Brandon Derman Named University Scholar

A ballroom full of faculty and staff celebrated with Brandon Derman on September 24 as he was presented with the university's most prestigious faculty award: the University Scholars Award. EVPAA Nick Jones traveled to UIS to present the award, the highest faculty honor from the University of 缅北禁地 System, which recognizes outstanding teaching and scholarship. Only one faculty member receives the award annually at UIS.

Conference on 缅北禁地 History

UIS faculty, staff, and students participated in the October 2-3 Conference on 缅北禁地 History at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. Those presenting or participating in panels included Devin Hunter (History), Graham Peck (History), Brian Mitchell (Center for Lincoln Studies), Randy Eccles (NPR 缅北禁地), and History graduate students Anna Newby and Evie Rodenbaugh. Jake Friefeld (Center for Lincoln Studies) and Anne Moseley (Sangamon Experience) organized and moderated panels. Topics included 鈥淭he Black Spring铿乪ld 1900-1910 Project,鈥� 鈥淪oil & Soul: Farming in the Sangamon River Valley,鈥� 鈥淢orris Birkbeck and the Making on an Antislavery Freedom,鈥� and 鈥淐elebrating Spring铿乪ld鈥檚 Public Radio Station: 50 Years of NPR 缅北禁地.鈥�

Resource Refresh

myUIconnect Resource for Students

Are your students looking for their class schedule, account balance and account holds, grades, degree progress, quick links for important student services, important apps, and announcements?

On Aug. 15, the myUIS system for students was retired and replaced with , a platform that offers students an improved, user-friendly experience. To learn more, visit Orbit.

International Travel Insurance Required

The University of 缅北禁地 System requires employees traveling internationally on system business to comply with the . This includes, but is not limited to, business trips, conferences, faculty exchanges, faculty-led study abroad programs, teaching, research, service, or sabbaticals. System business travel is not dependent on receiving system funding.

All system employees traveling internationally on system business must enroll in international travel insurance using the applicable university-based travel and coverage website. It is the responsibility of each individual employee to ensure insurance enrollment for their travel. Failure to enroll in international travel insurance may result in non-reimbursement of travel expenses.

Newsletter notes

Subscriptions and suggestions

Suggestions for future content: We are interested in hearing from you about topics you would like to see covered in the Provost鈥檚 Office monthly newsletter. Send content suggestions

Newsletter opt-in: The Academic Affairs newsletter is sent to employees in the Division of Academic Affairs monthly during the academic year. If the newsletter was forwarded to you or you found it in Orbit, and you would like to be added to the distribution list, please contact Monica Kroft. We would be glad to send to you directly.

Important Dates

• Wednesday, October 8, 2-3:30 pm - APR Q&A with Provost Schwab, UHB 3145
• Tuesday, October 14, 1-3 pm - Bite-Sized Wellbeing During Uncertain Times event for students and employees.
• Thursday, October 16, 3 pm - Fall Employee Information Session, Brookens Auditorium
• Thursday, October 30, 9-11 am - Provost's Open Hours, check in at UHB 2008.

Office of the VCAA/Provost
Contact: Monica Kroft