A few weeks ago, I stood on the stage of the Bank of Springfield Center, shaking the hands of more than 1,000 University of Illinois Springfield students who earned their degrees this year.
Each graduate represents a story of perseverance, growth and achievement. It is a privilege to celebrate those journeys and to see the impact a UIS education has on students and their families.
I hope many of those graduates will return to campus as alumni and see firsthand how UIS continues to grow, evolve and invest in the next generation of Prairie Stars.
As a public regional comprehensive university, UIS prepares and empowers students to succeed and make a lasting impact through an engaging and individualized learning experience. This work guides us every day and shapes the progress we are making across campus.
If you have visited campus recently, you have likely seen one of the most visible signs of that progress taking shape along the quad: our new Library Commons. Over the spring semester, the building’s steel structure was completed, concrete floors and roof decks were poured, and key infrastructure was installed. The project remains on track to open in 2027.
This transformational, state-funded project is one of the most significant investments in student success in our history. The Library Commons is designed to be far more than a place to study or check out books. It will bring together the library, advising, tutoring, career development and technology support in a modern, student-centered space built for collaboration and connection.
Projects like this reflect my belief that spaces matter. When we design environments intentionally around student needs, we strengthen engagement, retention and graduation outcomes. This new building symbolizes our commitment to supporting students from their first day on campus through the launch of their careers.
Another exciting area of progress is academic innovation aligned with workforce needs. Later this year, UIS will launch a new Bachelor of Applied Science in engineering technology, developed in direct response to strong regional and statewide demand.
This transfer-friendly, applied-learning program will prepare engineering technologists and technicians who can provide the hands-on technical expertise that licensed engineers rely on in public agencies and private firms. Illinois needs these professionals, and UIS is well positioned to help meet that need. The program also strengthens partnerships with community colleges, industry leaders and public agencies.
We are also expanding hands-on learning opportunities across disciplines. In February, the UIS College of Business and Management celebrated the opening of the Sean and Taryn Grant Landmark Auto Trading Lab. The lab features 12 Bloomberg Terminals that allow students to work with real-time data, research markets, analyze investments and build skills in financial modeling and data analytics using a professional platform.
I am also proud of the continued success of UIS Athletics. During the 2025-26 academic year, UIS celebrated 15 years of NCAA Division II membership, a milestone that reflects the growth of our athletics program.
Looking ahead, UIS is expanding opportunities for student-athletes. The university has added women’s flag football, with competition set to begin in spring 2027, making UIS one of the first NCAA Division II institutions in Illinois to sponsor the sport. The track and field program is also expanding to include sprinters and jumpers, with plans to add 30 to 40 student-athletes beginning in fall 2026.
One of the moments I am most excited for this year is the reopening of our Performing Arts Center in October.
The auditorium was closed for the past year during a major infrastructure renovation in the Public Affairs Center. During that time, our Performing Arts Services team pursued interior upgrades supported by a successful fundraising effort. When the curtain rises again, audiences will enjoy new seating, improved accessibility, upgraded equipment and a more welcoming experience.
The Performing Arts Center has long been a cultural anchor for campus and our region, and we look forward to welcoming audiences back this fall.
Amid a rapidly changing higher education landscape, UIS has stayed focused on what matters most: supporting students, strengthening our connection to the region and preparing for a future that expands opportunity.
UIS is navigating today’s challenges with determination and optimism. We are investing in spaces that bring people together, programs that meet workforce needs and experiences that prepare students not just for their first job, but for fulfilling careers and purpose-driven lives.
The future of UIS is strong, and I am confident in the path we are building together.
Janet L. Gooch is the chancellor of the University of Illinois Springfield.
