Follow the department on social media

Important Dates

Deadline for ICT/Curriculum Changes: Friday, September 5
Deadline to Add a Full-Semester Course: Monday, September 8
Express Advising Begins: Tuesday, September 9
ESA Info Session: Wednesday, September 10

Resource of the Week

The English Department website is a treasure trove of useful information, but it can be hard to find things if you don’t know where to look. Here’s one page you should bookmark, since it contains links to all kinds of useful resources: Campus Resources for Undergrads. Check it out!

Don’t Forget to Check In!

If you were asked to check in with an advisor and haven’t yet done so, please remember to do that by Monday, September 8. This is particularly important if you are considering making changes to your schedule, and if you are on academic probation then it is mandatory. Visit our advising webpage for contact information and instructions for scheduling advising appointments.

ESA Info Night

Discover what English Student Association has to offer on September 10th! Created to promote camaraderie and inclusiveness among students in our department, ESA hosts a variety of events throughout the year, ranging from academic events to social activities designed for students to get to know others in the department. 

Express Advising – Coming Soon!

In addition to scheduled appointments, we will be offering express advising twice a week starting September 9. Express/drop-in sessions will be Tuesdays from 10:00-11:30 and Wednesdays from 1:30-3:00. These are for quick questions, routine check-ins, signatures on forms, and anything else that requires 15 minutes or less. For lengthier discussions please continue to schedule regular half-hour appointments.

Careers in Publishing–Instagram Event

Interested in a career in publishing? Penguin Random House is going live on Instagram to break down their internship process. Learn how to apply, what makes a candidate stand out, and how this opportunity could launch your career at Penguin Random House.

Develop Your Leadership Skills

ATLAS Internships for Spring 2026

This fall, over 70 LAS students are gaining valuable hands-on experience in technology and professional development through the ATLAS Internship Program. The application window for Spring 2026 internships will open in October. You can learn more by attending one of the upcoming info sessions:

September 11, 3:45 p.m.  – G8C Literatures, Cultures, and Linguistics Building (LCLB)
September 24, 4:00 p.m. – Room 15, English Building

You can also stop by the Lisnek Hub in Lincoln Hall for drop-in Q&A on Wednesdays from 12–1:00 p.m. through December 3.

Call for Peer Mentors

Visiting Writer Events

Next Advising Office Open House

We’re excited to continue our Open House series this semester. The next one will be Thursday, September 18, from 2:00-3:30pm (we’re experimenting with an afternoon session). Come visit us in the advising office for snacks, beverages (hot and cold), and company (we also have games and puzzles on hand if you like that kind of thing). As always, you can chat with advisors and with each other, or you can sit quietly and use this as a mid-afternoon study break. (The complete Open House schedule for the semester will be available soon).

Considering Grad School in English?

The Department of English at Michigan State University is delighted to announce the 6th Annual MUSE Scholars Workshop, which will be held this fall in East Lansing, from October 21-24th.

The MUSE Scholars Program is intended for any prospective English graduate students interested in issues of access and equal opportunity in academia, and concerned about the challenges of first-generation students and low-income students in higher education. It aims to introduce students to a robust culture of mentoring essential for a rewarding graduate school experience, and a thriving life in academia. All prospective graduate students in English or related fields who are interested in these questions are welcome to apply! You can read more about our recent cohorts of MUSE scholars here.

The all-expenses paid workshop will allow students to learn more about the English department, visit graduate classes, meet faculty and graduate students, receive feedback on their application materials for graduate school, and present their research to faculty.

Students can learn more about the workshop, and submit an application, on our website, here. The deadline for applications is September 24. 

Boost Your Speaking Skills

We offer a friendly, low-stakes space for students from any major or discipline to practice and work on oral communication with a peer-consultant, including using visual aids such as powerpoint and research posters. Our main location is in the Armory, with satellite hours in the Main Library, Grainger Library, ACES/Funk Library, and the LAS Hub. We also offer synchronous online appointments. 

Don’t Forget These!

Pathways to Success – A New Mentorship Program

Pathways to Success is a new mentorship program designed to connect first-generation students with faculty and staff who can provide guidance, support, and valuable insights as they navigate their career paths. Their application form is now open and will close on Sunday, Sept. 7th or once they have a critical number of applications. Seats are limited and participants will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Join the 2025-2026 Student Success Undergraduate Advisory Board!

The Student Success Undergraduate Advisory Board (SSUAB) is a student-led group of undergraduates seeking to make positive change at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, working to ensure that every student feels a sense of belonging and inclusivity during their undergraduate experience. SSUAB is students creating solutions for fellow students and serving as a voice for these ideas to campus administration. 

The application is now live! Applications are due Friday, September 12.

For more information and to apply, please visit https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1362392957?referrer=https://webtools.illinois.edu/

If you’d like to participate in the video challenge associated with this event you must be an actively enrolled University of Illinois undergraduate in FA25 with a declared LAS humanities major or minor. First Prize will receive $500; Second Prize, $250; and Third Prize, $125, deposited to the winner’s student account. The deadline for the competition is September 15. Click here to learn more.

Upcoming LAS Career Services Events

• JCPenney Suit Up Event – September 6 (1-6pm): Don’t miss the regular JCPenney Suit Up Event, where you can score professional gear at a much reduced cost! The LAS Career Services office will have more info to come.
• Quiet Book Club: Come explore the new LAS Career Services library: biographies, self-help books, guides to career paths – lots of great material to help you move forward. Select a book from our collection, read in quiet company with others, and (if you wish) rate your book for the benefit of other users of our library. There will be time at the beginning and end to connect with your fellow readers. Upcoming Fridays from 1-3pm (Sept. 12, Sept. 26, and Oct. 10)

Pre-Law Advising Updates

• 2025 Law School Fair – September 16: The annual Law School Fair is quickly approaching on September 16.  All interested students and alumni are invited and encouraged to attend.  You can learn more about the Law Fair on their website (Law School Fair – Pre-Law Advising Services).
• Freshman Advising – Available January 1:  Due to increasing demand on advising resources, particularly during peak advising times (September – December), Freshman advising appointment will be available beginning January 1 each year.  More details on this policy and resources for Freshman are available on their Appointments page.  Freshman (students in their first academic year) are encouraged to engage with the pre-law advising office in the following ways, particularly thru Pre-Law 101:
  • Become a Designated Pre-Law Student
  • Complete Pre-Law 101 
  • Review the Freshman Pre-Law Checklist in Canvas
  • Attend the Annual Pre-Law RSO Nite (September 3)
  • Follow Us on Instagram
  • Check Out our Calendar of Upcoming Events & Workshops 
  • Join the Pre-Law Advisory Council -(applications due September 8 for Class of 2029 representatives)

Montage – Call for Submissions!

Montage publishes art and literary work by undergraduate students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Submissions are now open! For more information and to submit your work, please visit: https://www.montageartsjournal.com/submit

Free Little Library

WRC Fall Hours

Career Development Toolkit