The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's new Dual-Credit Learning Accelerator is expanding university-level education to high schools across the state—for free. The DCLA currently offers five 100-level courses. https://ow.ly/m6Mh50XS7eW

We topped 100,000 students for the first time with a record 101,081 enrolled. 🎉🎆 President Tim Killeen emphasized the impact: “Our students are the next generation of professionals, engaged citizens, and leaders, here in Illinois and around the world.” #SystemStories2025 https://ow.ly/1CPx50XL3Ce#SystemStories2025

Students. Taxpayers. Communities. Society. We all benefit from the U of I System’s $24.9 billion annual impact across the state and the world. 🌆🚜🌎 Explore “Powering Progress Across Illinois.” #SystemStories2025 https://news.uillinois.edu/view/7815/623395244

In June, we proudly hosted SRI2025, featuring: 🗣️ 450 speakers 💡 120+ sessions 🌆 10 Chicago-based excursions 🌍 Countries represented from South Africa to Morocco to Wales 📺 Recap video: https://youtu.be/PJGg1EIhYsA 📖 Dive deeper: http://ow.ly/VSVM50Wo3tE #SystemStories2025

In 2025, University of Illinois Springfield added counties to a pilot that allows students from Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri to benefit from lower-cost in-state tuition at the close-knit campus ranked #1 public regional university in the state. 🌟 #SystemStories2025 https://ow.ly/3HuN50XL29c

In March, the U of I System and Illinois Virtual Schools & Academy launched a statewide initiative to bring high-quality virtual education to school districts. 🤝🏼 IVSA gives real-time support, live instruction, and applied learning options daily: https://ow.ly/K0AF50Vjgb7 #SystemStories2025

2025 saw tremendous momentum at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, coming to Chicago's southeast side. It'll be a first-of-its-kind campus built for quantum technology and microelectronics innovation and scale-up. Read more about them 👉 https://iqmp.org/ #SystemStories2025

In September, alumnus Larry Gies made the largest donation in Division of Intercollegiate Athletics history—a $100M gift honoring military service of all Americans including his father, Larry Gies Sr., as part of the renaming of the football facility to Gies Memorial Stadium. #SystemStories2025

Chancellor Charles Isbell started his Urbana-Champaign tenure in time to launch the 2025-26 school year. His passion for innovation is advancing the transformative role public higher education plays for Illinois and all who call it home. #SystemStories2025 https://ow.ly/V7b750XL1tx#SystemStories2025

In July, the UIC Department of Computer Science got a big upgrade. 👨🏽‍💻 #SystemStories2025 The Computer Design Research and Learning Center will help the fast-growing department conduct more impactful research to improve lives and the economy for Illinois and the world: https://ow.ly/7Ohl50XL59k

In October, our leadership traveled across the state for its fifth annual State Tour. Learn more about how the U of I System contributes to the economy, well-being, and education of residents from every corner of our state. #SystemStories2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWsAlNG3eDU

During the annual Day at the Capitol, our advocacy network members shared stories to spotlight the vital role of the system. Join Illinois Connection—44,000-plus advocates focused on a brighter future through education, economic development, and more: https://ow.ly/MnM250XLcOK #SystemStories2025

We showed global leaders the full Illinois experience during the Americas Competitiveness Exchange — from feeding the world to harnessing technology. The result? ACE yielded the most agreements for future projects and partnerships in its history. #SystemStories2025 https://ow.ly/WGFc50XL0c2#SystemStories2025

In 2025, we opened doors wider by making our transfer guarantee nationwide. Eligible students from colleges and universities across the U.S. now have guaranteed admission to our universities. Students shared why they chose to transfer. #SystemStories2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDgDPn3_Z2I

Are you following us on all of our socials? Get connected with a few clicks! 🔗 LinkedIn: https://ow.ly/jU7n50XLwhK 📸 Instagram: https://ow.ly/zACb50XLwhL 😉 Facebook: https://ow.ly/4gKm50XLwhM 🧵 Threads: https://ow.ly/CwJL50XLwhP 🐤 X: https://ow.ly/uS0T50XLwhH ▶ YouTube: https://ow.ly/r59c50XLwhE

Both economic and literal groundwork will be laid soon at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. 🏗️ 🤝🏻 IQMP's new partnership with Silicon Catalyst: https://ow.ly/gZGm50XKWbM 📢 We issued an RFP for state-of-the-art research facilities at the IQMP (due January 9!): https://ow.ly/b54a50XKWbN

We're finishing the year strong, with plenty of positive stories to share from across our system. Catch 2025's final Stay Connected below, and subscribe to have it delivered to your inbox every month in 2026. ⛄ Latest edition: https://ow.ly/GGNG50XKmfL 📩 Subscribe here: https://ow.ly/cUhs50XKmfK

As we close out an extraordinary year, we’re proud to reflect on the milestones we’ve reached and the people who have made these achievements possible. To celebrate all we’ve accomplished, President Tim Killeen and Dr. Roberta Johnson Killeen invite you to watch their 2025 holiday video.

Current Urbana-Champaign students may know Huff Hall as the home of Fighting Illini volleyball, wrestling, and gymnastics, but the building on the corner of Gregory and Fourth has played host to a eclectic variety of important events during its hundred years on campus: https://ow.ly/iWax50XGoJQ

Lithium is great at storing and releasing energy, which is why it's at the core of most rechargeable battery systems. 🔋 A ChBE Illinois team has created a process that uses organic solvent and a special electrode that recaptures only lithium from a solution of disassembled spent batteries.

For 30 years running, UIC's Great Cities Institute is making a positive impact in Chicago and beyond by advancing urban research and policy, developing urban communities, and encouraging public participation. 🌇 Learn how they've shaped Chicago: https://ow.ly/Y9Vg50XBnTv

On Nov. 19, we proudly honored Dr. Evelyn Figueroa, this year's Dr. Tai R. Shin and Mrs. You H. Shin Humanitarian Award recipient. 🏆 Learn more about her years of advocacy: https://ow.ly/xrbP50XAMUC Want to nominate someone for the 2026 Shin Award? Submit by April 13: https://ow.ly/T8F350XAMUA

The Rock Island Defense Alliance and the Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute have joined forces to drive large-scale regional growth, #defense, and #manufacturing innovation, with Col. Shawn Creamer at the helm. 💥 Learn more via @uofilsystem.bsky.social#defense#manufacturingbit.ly/4p33Xn1

🎄 With December 1st being National Christmas Lights Day, it's a perfect time to recognize the inventor of the light-emitting diodes that comprise most modern lights - three-time Urbana-Champaign alumnus Nick Holonyak, Jr. Learn more about the father of the LED: https://ow.ly/F7cP50XA4BA

For years, scientists have been able to bioprint structures like tissues, blood vessels, and bone. But now, a UIC team created a "4D" bioprinting technique that allows for these implants to more closely mimic natural body tissues. 🧬 Watch the bioprinting process in action: https://ow.ly/nMKc50XuQzS

The Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute and Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance are joining forces to supercharge the economic engine of the Quad Cities. 🤝📈🏭 Their first order of business: bringing aboard retired Army Colonel Shawn Creamer as their new executive director: https://ow.ly/WJ9k50XtIkZ

Launching any material into orbit is expensive, but certain shapes are more costly than others — like communications dishes, whose curved shape takes up valuable cargo space. 🚀 The Grainger College of Engineering has a team creating flat disks that can morph into their curves once they're in orbit.

Last month, our leadership traveled across the state for the fifth edition of its Leadership State Tour. Hear from some of the people we met, and learn more about how the U of I System contributes to the economy, well-being, and education of residents from every corner of our state.

The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois today approved our administration’s request to the Illinois Board of Higher Education for a 10.9% increase in operating and capital appropriations from the state General Assembly, beginning July 1. Read more about today's proceedings 👇

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees will meet in Chicago this morning, starting at 8:00 a.m. Follow along live: http://uis.edu/uislive

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees will meet tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. in Chicago. 🕗 To watch live, please use this stream: https://uis.edu/uislive 🎦

This Veterans Day, the University of Illinois Chicago spotlights three police officers who served in our military before joining UIC. 🎖️ From military training and missions overseas, they bring their sense of duty, dedication and discipline to their work on campus today: https://ow.ly/RpiA50Xq4xw

Since 2014, the Cisar Student Veterans Center provides resources and community for the hundreds of students veterans at UIC and their families. Ahead of tomorrow's flag-raising ceremony, learn more about how the center supports student veterans: https://ow.ly/mZnK50Xpzyv

Educating students about quality health care. Advocating for her community. Running a food pantry in Pilsen. Raising relief efforts for hurricane-stricken areas. Meet Dr. Evelyn Figueroa, winner of the U of I System's 2025 Shin Humanitarian Award: https://ow.ly/zElb50XoC1B

The days are growing shorter, but the good news continues to shine across the University of Illinois System. See the latest Stay Connected below, and subscribe to have it delivered to your inbox every month. 🍂 Latest edition: ow.ly/T5I150XmxAY 📩 Subscribe here: ow.ly/VXZ050XmxB0

The U of I System is taking a close look at how to expand offerings for adult learners — those who are past those traditional post-high school undergraduate years. Adult education offerings exist across the system, giving a new working group much to explore and to imagine: https://ow.ly/Hq5L50XjVs4

Curious about The Odyssey Project/Proyecto Odisea in Chicago? Academic director Rebecca Amato is happy to share how it works and what it accomplishes. “I have the great fortune to witness what spaces like ours can mean to our participants.” Learn more 👉 https://ow.ly/UyrX50XjUVk

Life gets in the way. That’s one reason people start college but don’t graduate. Through The Odyssey Project, Aiesha West rediscovered herself and her love of learning. Odyssey and other adult learning programs show how we provide pathways for students of all ages: https://ow.ly/L8Eu50XjSQQ

After this weekend, don't trash that pumpkin - smash it! 🎃💥 When dumped into landfills, decomposing pumpkins produce methane gas. They also leach water that filters through trash and pollutes nearby waterways. Find a University of Illinois Extension-hosted smash near you: https://ow.ly/KWLG50XjQzH

Can aging be stopped, or even reversed? ⏳ The concept sounds like science fiction, but a team led by UIC associate professor of pharmacology and regenerative medicine Sandra Pinho found that a specific protein can rejuvenate blood and immune system cells: https://ow.ly/2Xv950XjfiT

The University of Illinois Springfield is opening new doors for students pursing careers in public leadership and legal affairs. 🚪 Learn more: https://ow.ly/Cyuf50XizFp

To mark National Transfer Student Week, these snapshots highlight how our commitment to seamless transfers is making a real difference for students and families across Illinois. Learn more about our expanded transfer guarantee: uaps.uillinois.edu/transfer_guarantee

Headphones: on. 🎧 The University of Illinois Chicago is launching two new podcasts. "This is UIC" features interviews with faculty, staff, and students, while "This is UIC Weekly" runs down the latest university news in three minutes or less every Friday. Get them here: ow.ly/5FJu50XfNbQ

As part of our ongoing commitment to engage with communities across the state, we recently had the privilege of visiting the vibrant Humboldt Park neighborhood in Chicago — a living testament to the strength, resilience, and rich heritage of the Puerto Rican community.

Today, our new University Academic Alliance in Taiwan liaison office in Urbana officially opened. ✂️🎀 It will serve as a hub for the UAAT Mandarin Language Education program, which helps students build their capacities in Mandarin and access new opportunities. Learn more: https://ow.ly/Z71250Xc5Xv

Developments in AI and the future of the workforce were focal points at today’s final 2025 #UofILStateTour stop with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. The panel entertained attendees as each leader shared how their campuses are helping students graduate with AI resources in their skills toolbox.

Ties between a Chicago school and higher education grew even stronger when the #UofILStateTour visited DRW College Prep yesterday. A student-led tour reminded all in attendance of one shared goal: expanding access and opportunity for every learner in Illinois.

Day 4 of the #UofILStateTour started at UL Solutions in Northbrook, where the system and Discovery Partners Institute shared about new ways to expand Illinois’ tech workforce. UL Solutions supports apprentices working toward competitive positions in the state’s growing economy.

Last night in Rockford, alumni and industry leaders explored new ways to keep great job opportunities here in Illinois. Framed by the system’s $24.9B annual economic impact, the evening highlighted how research, workforce development, and partnership fuel a thriving state economy. #UofILStateTour

At P&P Industries, system leaders joined with partners from the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and IMEC, the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, to convey one powerful message. When higher education and industry work hand in hand, Illinois moves forward together. #UofILStateTour