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Happy Reading Day!
We know this is a busy time and many of you are under a lot of pressure, so please be good to yourselves and ask for help if you need it. You’re welcome to reach out to us in the advising office; please see the end of this post for a list of additional support resources.
Speaking of reading, we’d like to remind you about the ESA Free Little Library outside EB 200. We have a rotating stock of donated books (thanks to all our anonymous donors) and you’re always welcome to stop by and pick something up. If you want to leave a book as well of course you can, but it’s not expected. If you feel like it, you can sign the sheet on the top shelf and tell us what you picked and why!

Convocation Tickets and Senior Survey
Congratulations to all who are graduating soon! Convocation participants, you can pick up your tickets in the English advising office (EB 200) through May 15 (pick-up times are between 9-noon and 1-4). Allow at least ten minutes because you’ll need to fill out your reader card at the same time. If you haven’t yet completed the senior survey please do so now! It only takes a few minutes and it helps the department in our ongoing self-assessment. Complete the survey by May 15 to be entered into a prize drawing. We have separate surveys for English and Creative Writing majors; if you are a double major you may do both surveys but will only be entered into the prize drawing once.
English Senior Survey
Creative Writing Senior Survey
Thank you so much for your feedback!
Montage Reading–TODAY, May 8
Come celebrate the artists and writers who have contributed to the newest issue of Montage! If you’d like to pre-order your copy please use this form.


Heads-Up for the Humanities Video Challenge!
The University Library, the Humanities Research Institute, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are hosting the first-ever Humanities Open House on October 4, 2025.
Come and see all that the Humanities at Illinois has to offer! In connection with the upcoming open house, we are eager to show off what’s going on with students and faculty across all the departments doing the work of the humanities on campus.
The Challenge
To help us broadcast all the amazing things humanists are doing—and why they matter—we are sponsoring a video contest for humanities majors and minors. We invite you to submit an up to 90-second video that answers your choice of ONE of the following questions:
–What draws you to the humanities as a major or a minor?
–What’s your most memorable experience in a humanities course or a humanities event at Illinois?
–Why are the humanities needed more than ever in 2025?
–What do the humanities look like to you?
Who’s Eligible
To participate, you must be an actively enrolled University of Illinois undergraduate in FA25 with a declared College of Liberal Arts and Sciences humanities major or minor.
The Winners
The winners (first, second and third place) will be notified one week prior to the Humanities Open House, with the winning videos publicly announced and prizes awarded at the Humanities Open House on October 4. First Prize will receive $500; Second Prize, $250; and Third prize, $125, deposited to the winner’s student account.
Deadline
Due date: mid-September 2025 (specific date TBD). Competition will open at the start of the 25–26 academic year. Visit go.illinois.edu/HumOpenHouse for updates/competition details.
Summer Courses of Interest
CW 100: Intro to Creative Writing
ENGL 117: Shakespeare on Film
ENGL 206: Enlightenment Lit & Culture
ENGL 360: Environmental Writing
ENGL 378: Fairy Tales and Gender Formation
Fall Courses of Interest (a somewhat random selection!)
ENGL 120: Science Fiction
ENGL 220: Literature & Science
ENGL 222: Jewish American and US Minority Lit in Dialogue
ENGL 455, Section 1U: Major Authors (Topic: Henry James)
SOCW 220: Technology & Social Issues
AIS 459: “Stories Are Law”: The Legal Reasonings of Indigenous Literatures
We also have a couple of BTW courses for you to check out. Don’t forget the Certificate in Business & Technical Writing (with BTW 250 or 261 plus just two additional BTW courses such as those listed here, you could claim your certificate)!
BTW 263: Writing in the Disciplines (Topic: Game Writing & Design)
BTW 380: Global Business Communication
Graduating? Career Guidance is Available

Don’t Forget These!
Job Opportunity
The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) is recruiting the first cohort of EcoReps for AY 2025-2026 to promote sustainability on campus and serve as a resource to connect students to different campus sustainability initiatives. Approximately ten positions are open, and any rising sophomore, junior, or senior interested in sustainability outreach is encouraged to apply, no matter the major! EcoReps will be expected to work 4-5 hours per week throughout the school year and will receive an hourly wage of $15. EcoReps will benefit from building leadership skills and getting involved in a variety of campus sustainability initiatives. Students will enjoy participating in a community of students who are passionate about sustainability. Further details of the position can be found here.
To Apply:
Please submit a resume and cover letter to Miriam Keep, Sustainability Programs Coordinator at iSEE, at keep2@illinois.edu. The cover letter should describe your prior experience related to sustainability and/or peer outreach, and explain your motivation for pursuing a role in outreach for campus sustainability.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications are encouraged!
Did you know?
The English department website includes an advising section with lots of useful links. Check out Campus Resources for Undergrads if you’re wondering how to run an audit, connect with a college advisor, declare a second major, find a counselor, order a transcript, borrow a laptop, etc. You’re always welcome to ask us for information but when time is of the essence remember that you might find what you’re looking for right on that page.
IBC Recruiting
Illinois Business Consulting welcomes learners from all majors and academic levels—from first-year undergrads to PhD candidates. IBC gives students the chance to work on real consulting projects with real clients—building skills, confidence, and connections along the way. Apply here.

Summer Language Learning

• June 16th – August 8th, 2025 •
Session includes
• Arabic, Persian, Swahili, Turkish, and Wolof courses
• Small class sizes and dedicated faculty and staff
• Immersive experience, complete with instruction
• Cultural activities, opportunities for language practice, conversation tables,
cooking classes, movie nights, and more!
Program registration timeline
April 24th – May 12th, 2025
Application & Registration
For more information contact silmw@illinois.edu
A New Way to Share Good News
Do you have good news to share? Have you published something? Won an award? Taken on a new role or had an adventure? If so, please let us feature you and your news on the department’s website and/or social media. Just send a message to engl-news@illinois.edu with whatever information you’d like to share. This is a great way for other students to learn about opportunities so please don’t be shy!
Confidential Advising Resources
The Women’s Resources Center (WRC) is the designated confidential campus resource related to sexual assault/rape, sexual harassment, stalking and abuse within a relationship (sometimes called dating or domestic violence). That means when we talk with students, staff, and faculty who have experienced harm, we make sure you get what you need and on your terms! There are several Confidential Advisors at the WRC who can provide you – or someone looking to support you – with support and advocacy services.

STUDENT SUPPORT RESOURCES
Counseling Center
2nd Floor, Turner Student Services Building
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Phone: 217-333-3704
counselingcenter.illinois.edu
McKinley Health Center, Mental Health Unit
313 McKinley Health Center
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Phone: 217-333-2700
WellTrack Interactive Self-Help
WellTrack is an app that allows users to track their moods and learn about how they can better control conditions like anxiety and depression. It is available to all Illinois students, faculty, and staff—you do not need to be a client of the Counseling Center to access it.
counselingcenter.illinois.edu/WellTrack
Togetherall
Togetherall provides students with free, online peer-to-peer mental health support that’s available 24/7 through thier computer or phone. Students may sign up by creating an account with their Illinois email address. If students have questions, they should call the Counseling Center at 217-333-3704 during business hours.
togetherall.com/register/student
Counseling Center Skill-Building Programming
This hub of resources includes information to aid students in coping with the stress and challenges of college life and beyond.
counselingcenter.illinois.edu/workshops
McKinley Health Center, Main Lobby
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
mckinley.illinois.edu
McKinley Online Relaxation Exercises
Take a break to engage in relaxation through guided imagery, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation exercises.
mckinley.illinois.edu/relaxation-techniques
McKinley Self-Care Station Vending Machines
Free, over-the-counter self-care supplies for students. I-Card required.
- Illini Union, First Floor (Southeast)
- Student Dining & Residential Programs Building (SDRP), Mail Room
- Grainger Library, Main Level
- ACES Library, Main Level
McKinley’s Health Education unit has staff who provide one-on-one consultations in nutrition, sexual health and stress management to students. Students should call McKinley at 217-333-2700 to schedule an appointment.
OPEN LEARNING – SOS for Higher Ed: Suicide Prevention for Students
Encourage students to take a quick screening to see if feelings like prolonged sadness, anxiety, irritability, loss of pleasure, and/or hopelessness might actually be related to depression. Other screenings for generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol misuse, eating disorders, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder are also available.
canvas.illinois.edu/enroll/NNYEC8
University Wellness Resources Portal
Students, faculty and staff can get connected to services for mental health, wellness, access and accommodation all in one place.
wellness.illinois.edu
After-Hours Psychological Emergencies and Other Critical Problems
The Counseling Center and McKinley Health Center collaborate with Rosecrance Central Illinois to provide students with Psychological Emergency Services, which are available 24 hours per day, 365 days a year, and focus on problems that need to be addressed immediately (e.g., serious illness, death in the family, severe anxiety, suicidal crisis).
For a consultation with a mental health professional after office hours, students should call the Crisis Line at 217-359-4141. The student, together with a mental health professional, will strategize the best way to make certain help is received.
For immediate life-safety issues, always call 911.
Religious Support
Religious organizations in our community support various faith traditions. See odos.illinois.edu/resources/rwa for links to specific groups.
Cultural & Resource Center Support
For a complete listing of cultural and resource centers visit ssib.illinois.edu/units.
College Offices & Academic Deans
College offices and the academic deans can also provide assistance for challenges impacting students’ academics. Find a college or school contact.
Office of the Dean of Students
Should your students have any questions regarding how to access any of the above resources, how their concerns might impact their academics, or how best to support a friend in need, know, too, that the Connie Frank CARE Center (CARE Center) in the Office of the Dean of Students is here to help. Staff in the Connie Frank CARE Center are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Additionally, the Emergency Dean Program provides a university administrator who is on-call to assist should students experience a crisis that requires an immediate university response after business hours To reach the Connie Frank CARE Center or the Emergency Dean, please call 217-333-0050. You can find additional information about these programs at odos.illinois.edu/community-of-care.