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

Seamless partnerships. Stronger pathways for Illinois students. On day #3 of the state tour, the University of Illinois System connected with leaders at Ottawa Township High School and Illinois Valley Community College about how collaboration expands access to higher education. #UofILStateTour

Last night at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, we celebrated alumni achievements and the system’s partnership with Caterpillar. The palpable energy of the reception underscored the ongoing positive impact of University of Illinois System alumni in community leadership and global reach. #UofILStateTour

At OSF HealthCare in Peoria, we interacted with University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria students who shared their experiences providing healthcare in underserved areas of both the United States and Brazil through our Brasillinois partnership, one of many essential global collaborations.

A leader in EV, Rivian partners with the U of I System, Heartland Community College and the Illinois Innovation Network to strengthen the talent pipeline.🔌We appreciated the opportunity to look under the hood (literally) at the nuts, bolts, and volts that make these cars go! ⚡ #UofILStateTour

In Woodlawn, #UofILStateTour participants saw how Cover Crops for a Cause boosts soil health and fights food insecurity. With the stop’s hosts, system leaders also harvested turnips and explored ways to expand the program across Illinois. 🌱

Accessible education and upward mobility anchored today’s #UofILStateTour kickoff at Olney Central College. Leaders stressed the power of collaboration to expand access and opportunity across the region and state.

The 5th Annual State Leadership Tour kicks off today! 🚌🚙🚗 Stops in Olney, Woodlawn, Edwardsville, Springfield, Rockford + Chicago spotlight $24.9B impact + 225K jobs statewide: https://ow.ly/wGAC50X767u #UofILStateTour

Want to get back in the flow with what's happening throughout the University of Illinois System? Check out the latest edition of Stay Connected — and subscribe below to get the monthly update in your inbox! 🛶 Latest edition: ow.ly/Qo7O50X6cW6 📩 Subscribe here: ow.ly/GJa750X6cW5

From agriculture to workforce, health, local economies, and global innovation — five reasons that our annual Leadership State Tour matters. Illinois progress starts in every community: https://go.uillinois.edu/econimpact #AltogetherExtraordinary

$24.9B annual impact. 225,000 jobs. $7 return for every $1 invested. Impact starts with people—one student, one researcher, one provider, one alum. Together, they fuel a system that strengthens Illinois in every region—a collective force for the public good. economicimpact25.uillinois.edu

On Wednesday, the first-ever University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign-led NASA mission launched from Cape Canaveral. 🚀 The Carruthers Geocorona Observatory will use ultraviolet imaging to explore how Earth interacts with the space environment.

While live clinical training remains essential, simulations can expose nursing students to many scenarios they might not encounter in the field. At @uicnursing.bsky.social, the Learning & Simulation Laboratory gives instructors and students the opportunity to prepare for any scenario imaginable. 👩🏾‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

The University of Illinois System and the São Paulo Research Foundation (@agenciafapesp.bsky.social) recently awarded $520,000 to 13 research teams in its first round of funding under the Brasillinois Collaborative Research Grant program. 🤝🏼 Learn more about the new projects 👇

Did you know that the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign can claim the oldest continuous homecoming tradition in the country? 🔶🔷 Learn more about the first homecoming — back in 1910! — and the tradition through the decades, as the Orange and Blue celebrate Homecoming 2025 this week.

This weekend, @uisedu.bsky.social held its annual Alumni Gala and recognized four distinguished graduates for their professional achievements, service to the university, and contributions to society. 🏅 Learn more about the 2025 honorees: ow.ly/oVq850X0lHU

Q: How do you deflect a civilization-threatening asteroid from impacting Earth? ☄️ A: Very carefully. If we ever need to nudge an asteroid out of our way, we must ensure that we don't accidentally send it into a new orbit that'll impact Earth at a later date.❌

Today, our Board of Trustees honored the vision and generosity of Larry Gies by approving the naming of Gies Memorial Stadium. This milestone recognizes their lasting impact and the powerful role philanthropy plays in shaping our future and collective impact. 🏟️ More: ow.ly/O6tQ50WYXhE

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees will meet tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. in Champaign. 🕗 To follow along with the proceedings, please use this livestream: uis.edu/uislive 🎦

Two summers ago, nine inches of rain fell on Cicero, causing widespread flooding across the near-Chicago suburb. Community leaders looked for help — and Discovery Partners Institute got involved.

Anthony Wong, a Carle Illinois College of Medicine student, won last week's Falling Walls Lab Illinois competition with his presentation, “Breaking the Wall of Safer Childbirth,” in which he shared his team’s novel device to assist with difficult births. 🏆

Nothing beats hands-on experience when it comes to job training. But how do you get that in a field as specialized as semiconductor manufacturing? 🤔 Enter @uofigrainger.bsky.social's and UIC College of Engineering's Semiconductor Fabrication Training Program. 🥼 Step inside: ow.ly/7uVC50WVUkZ

Illinois families are choosing the University of Illinois System. ☑ With 101,081 students across Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, and Springfield, we’re developing the next generation of leaders — on campus and across the state. See the details: ow.ly/yVEO50WUCbj

Illinois' nearly 102-year-old football stadium has a new name — Gies Memorial Stadium — after a $100 million donation from alumnus Larry Gies, the largest in the athletic department's history. More from @colleenkane.bsky.social.

The next Americans to set foot on the Moon will get there with a little help from current UIC students. 👨‍🚀 NASA's Artemis missions are slated to return people to the lunar surface by the end of the decade. Watch these students discuss their time at NASA on @wttw.bsky.social's "Chicago Tonight." 👇🏼

As our campuses bustle with the activity of the new academic year, Stay Connected is here to catch you up on all the University of Illinois System news you may have missed during the waning days of summer. 📰 Latest edition: ow.ly/XGER50WRr4V 📩 Subscribe here: ow.ly/aMX750WRr4W

Want to learn more about exciting, new sustainability and social innovation projects? Join the Illinois Innovation Network in DeKalb later this month at the 2025 Sustainability and Social Innovation Research Conference! 📄 More info: ow.ly/Xarf50WQC3f ✍️ Register: ow.ly/ca0Y50WQC3g