Weekly Round-Up

Follow the department on social media


April 18: Deadline to drop a 2nd-8-week course

Schedule Your Pre-registration Appointment!

Registration is underway! If you still need to schedule your appointment call 217-333-4346 during the hours 8:30-noon or 1:00-4:30.

Need to find a course that satisfies a particular requirement in the major?
Consult the resources available on the Planning Coursework section of the advising site.  You’ll find checklists of major requirements and a “cheat sheet” that tells you which variable topics courses satisfy which requirements in the coming semester.  To access the sheet you’ll need to have your UI Box account set up; instructions are available on this page (scroll down to “Instructions for using Box”).

Creative Writing Awards Ceremony and Reading

Join us in hearing the work of students who have won and award or scholarship through our annual Spring Creative Writing Contests. Congratulations to all the winners!

April 24, 4:30pm
Illini Union Bookstore, Authors Corner

Resources to Combat Stress

Pre-Law? Check Out These Pop-Ups

Interested in Coaching HS Sports?

This is an event that may be of particular interest to our English Teaching concentrators who have thought about coaching!

Wellness Event TODAY, Friday, April 18

Women’s Resources Center Book Club–TODAY, Friday 18

Join the staff of the Women’s Resources Center as we discuss “Saving Five“, written by Amanda Nguyen. During our conversations, we will examine the complexities of survivor healing and activism in speaking your truth.

Book discussions will take place at the Women’s Resources Center on Friday, April 18 from 4 – 5 PM.  Limited copies of the book may be available to students intending to attend book club.  Sign up to attend book club and request a copy of the book.

This book club is held in collaboration with the Asian American Cultural Center as part of our Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) programming.

Two Events Featuring Poet Richard Blanco

First-Gen Event

Auditions for Fall Theater

Learn About Fulbright Scholarship Opportunities

Interested in researchteaching, or graduate study abroad? The Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards 2,000 scholarships annually for students to conduct research, teach English, or pursue graduate study in 140 countries. Apply to be a 2026 awardee! 

Eligibility
Current juniors, seniors, and recent alumni in all academic disciplines, who are U.S. citizens, are eligible to apply

Application Preparation
If you are interested in applying, please attend our information sessions:   

Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Workshops:
Online – Tuesday, April 22, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Register HERE
In Person – Friday, April 25, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – IUB Rm. 514

Fulbright Research & Graduate Study Workshops:
In Person – Thursday, May 1, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – IUB Rm. 514 
Online – Friday, May 2, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Register HERE

Don’t Forget These!

Curious about Careers in HR?

The School of Labor & Employment Relations will be offering LER 199: Introduction to Human Resources again this Fall 2025 semester.  During this pilot year, the course has received positive student feedback and high engagement with the material.  The course helps students explore the various functions of Human Resources and how HR professionals lead people within an organization.  The course is interactive and will include around 3-4 HR professionals to speak on their experiences and how the topics apply to their everyday work.  If you’re interested, check out LER 199, Section HR in Course Explorer!

Summer Courses

If you’re looking for a summer course to satisfy a requirement in English or creative writing, check these out!

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

Chancellor’s Senior Survey

All students graduating in May 2025 are invited to take the Chancellor’s Senior Survey, which prompts students to reflect on their Illinois experience by answering questions about participation in activities and services, perceived gains in abilities linked to the Illinois (campus-wide) student learning outcomes, campus climate, disability support services, attributions of success, barriers to success, and overall satisfaction with the Illinois experience.

New Certificate Programs

There are two new certificate programs you might be interested in, one in Business & Technical Writing, and one in Interactive & Immersive Storytelling. Check them both out to see if you might be interested.

Summer Language Learning

•  June 16th – August 8th, 2025  •

Session includes
• ArabicPersianSwahiliTurkish, 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!

Research Workshops

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) announces its Spring 2025 workshop calendar. We are offering a variety of workshops to support you regardless of where you are in your research journey. Information for each workshop, including how you can register, can be found on our website . For all workshops, participation is by advanced registration only; there are a limited number of spots available for each workshop, so please sign up as soon as possible. Workshops will be added throughout the term based on demand.

Tuesday @7 Workshops with the Counseling Center

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.

Weekly Round-Up

Follow the department on social media

Important Dates

April 14: Deadline to order academic regalia (for graduates participating in convocation ceremonies)
April 18: Deadline to drop a 2nd-8-week course

Schedule Your Pre-registration Appointment!

Registration has begun! Log in to Student Self-Service to view your time ticket if you don’t already know when to register. When you are ready to schedule your appointment call 217-333-4346 during the hours 8:30-noon or 1:00-4:30.

Need to find a course that satisfies a particular requirement in the major?
Consult the resources available on the Planning Coursework section of the advising site.  You’ll find checklists of major requirements and a “cheat sheet” that tells you which variable topics courses satisfy which requirements in the coming semester.  To access the sheet you’ll need to have your UI Box account set up; instructions are available on this page (scroll down to “Instructions for using Box”).

From LAS Career Services

Career Workshop Resume Critique by HRPO and Research Park: Join us Tuesday, April 15, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. for an informative presentation followed by personalized resume and LinkedIn profile reviews. Gain valuable feedback and learn how to showcase your skills effectively in today’s competitive job market. This is a collaborative session, hosted by HRPO and Research Park. Learn more and register on the Research Park calendar

Resources to Combat Stress

Pre-Law? Check Out These Pop-Ups

Public Reading | Ross Gay

The Humanities Research Institute is hosting a public reading and book signing with award-winning poet and essayist Ross Gay, a New York Times bestselling author whose work embraces an exploration and celebration of the human need for joy and delight. This year marks the tenth anniversary of his collection Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude!

April 16, 7:30pm
Alice Campbell Alumni Center Ballroom

Books will be available for purchasing and signing at the event. Please note: per the author’s request, we ask that attendees refrain from taking photos (including selfies), audio, or video during the event and book signing. Thank you in advance for respecting the author’s wishes! 

Ross Gay is the author of four books of poetry: Against WhichBringing the Shovel DownBe Holding, winner of the PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award; and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, winner of the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. In addition to his poetry, Ross has released three collections of essays—The Book of Delights was released in 2019 and was a New York Times bestseller; Inciting Joy was released in 2022, and his newest collection, The Book of (More) Delights was released in September of 2023. 

A Gathering of Poets: Angie Estes and Janice N. Harrington

Thursday, April 17, 2025
7:00 pm–9:00 pm (CDT)
Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St., Urbana, IL

Poets Angie Estes and Janice N. Harrington will present an evening of imagery and word art. Join us for the premier reading of Estes’ Last Day on Earth in the Eternal City and for poems celebrating a lifetime of writing by Janice N. Harrington. This poetry celebration is sponsored by the Spurlock Museum and the UIUC Creative Writing Program.

Renee Hudson Lecture

Take Care of Yourself!

Two Events Featuring Poet Richard Blanco

Learn About Fulbright Scholarship Opportunities

Interested in researchteaching, or graduate study abroad? The Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards 2,000 scholarships annually for students to conduct research, teach English, or pursue graduate study in 140 countries. Apply to be a 2026 awardee! 

Eligibility
Current juniors, seniors, and recent alumni in all academic disciplines, who are U.S. citizens, are eligible to apply

Application Preparation
If you are interested in applying, please attend our information sessions:   

Fulbright General Information Sessions:
In Person – Friday, April 11, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – IUB Rm. 514

Fulbright Short Essays Workshops: Your Path and the Fulbright Mission
Online –Tuesday, April 15, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Register HERE
In Person – Wednesday, April 16, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.– IUB Rm. 514

Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Workshops:
Online – Tuesday, April 22, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Register HERE
In Person – Friday, April 25, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – IUB Rm. 514

Fulbright Research & Graduate Study Workshops:
In Person – Thursday, May 1, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – IUB Rm. 514 
Online – Friday, May 2, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Register HERE

Curious about Careers in HR?

The School of Labor & Employment Relations will be offering LER 199: Introduction to Human Resources again this Fall 2025 semester.  During this pilot year, the course has received positive student feedback and high engagement with the material.  The course helps students explore the various functions of Human Resources and how HR professionals lead people within an organization.  The course is interactive and will include around 3-4 HR professionals to speak on their experiences and how the topics apply to their everyday work.  If you’re interested, check out LER 199, Section HR in Course Explorer!

Recognition of Community Engaged Scholars

Every year, through our Scholar Recognition Program, We CU Community Engaged Scholars seeks to recognize students for their community-based work and their commitment to service. Through the Recognition Program, students can also access benefits such as receiving mini-grants up to $199, which are designed to offset the expenses that come up during their service work. Recognized Scholars are invited to our Annual Recognition Reception on April 22nd, where we celebrate the impact made by students, instructors, and community partners in Champaign County.

Becoming a We CU Recognized Scholar is really simple: you just need to complete our Student Recognition Form before April 16. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach us at we-cu@illinois.edu.

Summer Courses

If you’re looking for a summer course to satisfy a requirement in English or creative writing, check these out!

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

Women’s Resources Center Book Club–April

Join the staff of the Women’s Resources Center as we discuss “Saving Five“, written by Amanda Nguyen. During our conversations, we will examine the complexities of survivor healing and activism in speaking your truth.

Book discussions will take place at the Women’s Resources Center on Friday, April 18 from 4 – 5 PM.  Limited copies of the book may be available to students intending to attend book club.  Sign up to attend book club and request a copy of the book.

This book club is held in collaboration with the Asian American Cultural Center as part of our Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) programming.

Don’t Forget These!

Chancellor’s Senior Survey

All students graduating in May 2025 are invited to take the Chancellor’s Senior Survey, which prompts students to reflect on their Illinois experience by answering questions about participation in activities and services, perceived gains in abilities linked to the Illinois (campus-wide) student learning outcomes, campus climate, disability support services, attributions of success, barriers to success, and overall satisfaction with the Illinois experience.

New Certificate Programs

There are two new certificate programs you might be interested in, one in Business & Technical Writing, and one in Interactive & Immersive Storytelling. Check them both out to see if you might be interested.

Summer Language Learning

•  June 16th – August 8th, 2025  •

Session includes
• ArabicPersianSwahiliTurkish, 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!

Research Workshops

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) announces its Spring 2025 workshop calendar. We are offering a variety of workshops to support you regardless of where you are in your research journey. Information for each workshop, including how you can register, can be found on our website . For all workshops, participation is by advanced registration only; there are a limited number of spots available for each workshop, so please sign up as soon as possible. Workshops will be added throughout the term based on demand.

Tuesday @7 Workshops with the Counseling Center

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.

Weekly Round-Up

Follow the department on social media

Important Dates

April 7: Priority registration begins
April 18: Deadline to drop a 2nd 8-week course

Schedule Your Pre-registration Appointment!

Registration will start April 7. Students are assigned a time on or after that day according to the schedule found hereTime tickets (which tell you when you can register for Summer and/or Fall 2025 classes) should be visible to you starting March 24. Log in to Student Self-Service to view your time ticket. When you are ready to schedule your appointment call 217-333-4346 during the hours 8:30-noon or 1:00-4:30. You may request an in-person or a virtual appointment, whichever suits you. Remember that we are very busy during the registration period so please don’t wait until your time ticket opens up and then send an email demanding an immediate reply. Plan ahead!

Need to find a course that satisfies a particular requirement in the major?
Consult the resources available on the Planning Coursework section of the advising site.  You’ll find checklists of major requirements and a “cheat sheet” that tells you which variable topics courses satisfy which requirements in the coming semester.  To access the sheet you’ll need to have your UI Box account set up; instructions are available on this page (scroll down to “Instructions for using Box”).

RBML Event TODAY

Play Through History: A Hands-On Board Game Adventure — Friday, April 4, from 3-5pm in 346 Main Library

Join the RBML for a hands-on journey through history! Play historical board games that bring the past to life as you roll the dice, make your moves, and uncover the stories behind them. Perfect for all ages, this interactive in-person event invites families, students, and community members to connect, learn, and have fun. Don’t just study history—experience it through play! This event is free and refreshments will be served.

VOICE: MFA student reading

Wednesday, April 9
Gallery Art Bar | 119 W Main St, Urbana, IL 61801

Join us for a reading by Graduate students in the MFA program in Creative Writing. This event will feature: 

  • Hannah Thorpe
  • Mason McVeigh 
  • Justine Mercado
  • Steven Bergmark

Learn About Fulbright Scholarship Opportunities

Interested in researchteaching, or graduate study abroad? The Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards 2,000 scholarships annually for students to conduct research, teach English, or pursue graduate study in 140 countries. Apply to be a 2026 awardee! 

Eligibility
Current juniors, seniors, and recent alumni in all academic disciplines, who are U.S. citizens, are eligible to apply

Application Preparation
If you are interested in applying, please attend our information sessions:   

Fulbright General Information Sessions:

Online – Monday, April 7, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Register HERE
Online – Wednesday, April 9, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Register HERE
In Person – Friday, April 11, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – IUB Rm. 514

Fulbright Short Essays Workshops: Your Path and the Fulbright Mission

Online –Tuesday, April 15, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Register HERE
In Person – Wednesday, April 16, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.– IUB Rm. 514

Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Workshops:

Online – Tuesday, April 22, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Register HERE
In Person – Friday, April 25, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – IUB Rm. 514

Fulbright Research & Graduate Study Workshops:

In Person – Thursday, May 1, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – IUB Rm. 514 
Online – Friday, May 2, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Register HERE

Major Exploration Workshop

While we would like to think that you are all totally in love with your English or creative writing major, we know that sometimes it takes a while to find your major home here, and being able to talk openly about your uncertainties is important. If you’re not sure you’re in the right major, check out this upcoming event:

Carr Visiting Author Series: Dante Micheaux

The Creative Writing Program and the Department of English invite you to a poetry reading by Dante Micheaux, made possible by the Robert J. and Katherin Carr visiting author series.

Thursday, April 10   4:30 pm  
Illini Union Bookstore: Authors Corner

Dante Micheaux is author of Circus (Indolent Books, 2018), which won the Four Quartets Prize from the Poetry Society of America and the T. S. Eliot Foundation, and Amorous Shepherd (Syracuse University Press, 2010).

Micheaux’s other honors include the 2020 Ambit Poetry Prize and fellowships from the Cave Canem Foundation and the New York Times Foundation. 

Student Gala–Come One, Come All!

Recognition of Community Engaged Scholars

Every year, through our Scholar Recognition Program, We CU Community Engaged Scholars seeks to recognize students for their community-based work and their commitment to service. Through the Recognition Program, students can also access benefits such as receiving mini-grants up to $199, which are designed to offset the expenses that come up during their service work. Recognized Scholars are invited to our Annual Recognition Reception on April 22nd, where we celebrate the impact made by students, instructors, and community partners in Champaign County.

Becoming a We CU Recognized Scholar is really simple: you just need to complete our Student Recognition Form before April 16. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach us at we-cu@illinois.edu.

Summer Courses

If you’re looking for a summer course to satisfy a requirement in English or creative writing, check these out!

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

Women’s Resources Center Book Club–April

Join the staff of the Women’s Resources Center as we discuss “Saving Five“, written by Amanda Nguyen. During our conversations, we will examine the complexities of survivor healing and activism in speaking your truth.

Book discussions will take place at the Women’s Resources Center on Friday, April 18 from 4 – 5 PM.  Limited copies of the book may be available to students intending to attend book club.  Sign up to attend book club and request a copy of the book.

This book club is held in collaboration with the Asian American Cultural Center as part of our Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) programming.

Don’t Forget These!

Chancellor’s Senior Survey

All students graduating in May 2025 are invited to take the Chancellor’s Senior Survey, which prompts students to reflect on their Illinois experience by answering questions about participation in activities and services, perceived gains in abilities linked to the Illinois (campus-wide) student learning outcomes, campus climate, disability support services, attributions of success, barriers to success, and overall satisfaction with the Illinois experience.

New Certificate Programs

There are two new certificate programs you might be interested in, one in Business & Technical Writing, and one in Interactive & Immersive Storytelling. Check them both out to see if you might be interested.

Summer Language Learning

•  June 16th – August 8th, 2025  •

Session includes
• ArabicPersianSwahiliTurkish, 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!

Remaining Spring 2025 Creative Writing Events

We’ll advertise these individually as they approach (with location info) but now would be a great time to get them in your calendar.

Poetry Reading by Janice Harrington and Angie Estes
Thursday, April 17, 2025 | 6:00

MFA Public Reading
Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 1:00

Research Workshops

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) announces its Spring 2025 workshop calendar. We are offering a variety of workshops to support you regardless of where you are in your research journey. Information for each workshop, including how you can register, can be found on our website . For all workshops, participation is by advanced registration only; there are a limited number of spots available for each workshop, so please sign up as soon as possible. Workshops will be added throughout the term based on demand.

Tuesday @7 Workshops with the Counseling Center

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.

Weekly Round-Up

Follow the department on social media!

Our love and best wishes go with Keshia as she embarks on a new phase of her life and career. Thank you, Keshia, for everything you’ve done while you’ve been with us. We’ll miss you!

Important Dates

March 28: Deadline to add 2nd 8-week course
March 31: Deadline to register for English & Creative Writing Convocation
April 7: Priority registration begins
April 18: Deadline to drop a 2nd 8-week course

Schedule Your Pre-registration Appointment!

Registration will start April 7. Students are assigned a time on or after that day according to the schedule found hereTime tickets (which tell you when you can register for Summer and/or Fall 2025 classes) should be visible to you starting March 24. Log in to Student Self-Service to view your time ticket. When you are ready to schedule your appointment call 217-333-4346 during the hours 8:30-noon or 1:00-4:30. You may request an in-person or a virtual appointment, whichever suits you. Remember that we are very busy during the registration period so please don’t wait until your time ticket opens up and then send an email demanding an immediate reply. Plan ahead!

Need to find a course that satisfies a particular requirement in the major?
Consult the resources available on the Planning Coursework section of the advising site.  You’ll find checklists of major requirements and a “cheat sheet” that tells you which variable topics courses satisfy which requirements in the coming semester.  To access the sheet you’ll need to have your UI Box account set up; instructions are available on this page (scroll down to “Instructions for using Box).

Calling All Graduating Seniors! Registration required by 3/31

If you expect to graduate in May or August you are invited to participate in the English & Creative Writing Convocation in May. Follow links below to the sites that tell you when, where, and how you can register for our ceremony and/or the universitywide ceremony and order regalia Sign up for the English & Creative Writing ceremony by Monday, 3/31!

English & Creative Writing Convocation: Saturday, May 17, 5 pm, Smith Memorial Hall

Universitywide Commencement: Saturday, May 17, 9:30 am, Memorial Stadium

You must have regalia (aka “cap and gown”) to participate in any ceremony.  Information about how to rent your cap and gown can be found here

Questions about the English department ceremony should be sent to englishadvising@illinois.edu.  Questions about the universitywide ceremony, or about regalia, should be sent to commencement@illinois.edu.   

Chancellor’s Senior Survey

All students graduating in May 2025 are invited to take the Chancellor’s Senior Survey, which prompts students to reflect on their Illinois experience by answering questions about participation in activities and services, perceived gains in abilities linked to the Illinois (campus-wide) student learning outcomes, campus climate, disability support services, attributions of success, barriers to success, and overall satisfaction with the Illinois experience.

Two RBML Events

The Rare Book and Manuscript Library (RBML) is hosting two public events next week, one of them featuring our esteemed department head, Justine Murison!

Why read The Scarlet Letter today? — Thursday, April 3, from 3-5pm in 346 Main Library

The RBML welcomes Justine Murison, editor of a new critical edition of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1850 novel. Murison will discuss the work’s historical and literary contexts, the revolutionary politics with which the novel engages, and the enduring questions it asks about American society. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. This event is free, refreshments will be served, and all are welcome to attend!

Play Through History: A Hands-On Board Game Adventure — Friday, April 4, from 3-5pm in 346 Main Library

Join the RBML for a hands-on journey through history! Play historical board games that bring the past to life as you roll the dice, make your moves, and uncover the stories behind them. Perfect for all ages, this interactive in-person event invites families, students, and community members to connect, learn, and have fun. Don’t just study history—experience it through play! This event is free and refreshments will be served.

New Certificate Programs!

There are two new certificate programs you might be interested in, one in Business & Technical Writing, and one in Interactive & Immersive Storytelling. Check them both out to see if you might be interested.

Please note: it is possible that some graduating students (who are not GSD Minors) may be eligible to receive the this certificate, but don’t know that because they wouldn’t have received the announcing emails. If you are a graduating senior who has taken GSD 103 and at least three courses from the list of approved electives (see page linked above) and at least two of those electives are at the advanced level, you may be eligible to claim the certificate BUT you would have to immediately enroll in GSD 490 JM (a 1-credit-hour certificate completion course). The deadline to add that is TODAY, Friday, March 28, so act quickly!

Scholarship Information Sessions

Upcoming Events with Guest Speaker Theo Gonzalves

Los Angeles Review of Books Publishing Workshop

June 23 – July 25, 2025: Online 
Applications due TUESDAY APRIL 1

The Los Angeles Review of Books is accepting applications for the 2025 LARB Publishing Workshop now through April 1.

A five-week intensive summer course, the LARB Publishing Workshop prepares students to succeed in careers in the ever-changing, seemingly inaccessible business of publishing. From June 23 – July 25, Workshop Fellows will learn from the industry professionals shaping print and digital publishing today. 2025 speakers include Adam Levi (Publisher, Transit Books), Christie Henry (Director, Princeton University Press), Gerald Maa (Editor,The Georgia Review), Jamia Wilson (VP and Executive Editor, Penguin Random House), Katie Dublinski (Associate Publisher, Graywolf Press), Lori Dorr (Executive Director,The Paris Review) Rebecca Saletan (Editorial Director, Riverhead Books), Rose D’Amora (Managing Editor, The Nation) among many others. 

In addition to participating in lectures and workshops featuring over 50 guest speakers, Fellows will have the opportunity to join one of two practical tracks dedicated to magazine and book production. These will culminate in the publication of our online magazine, LARBPubLab.org, or books of their own design. This combination of practical skills, industry insights, and creative networks have helped Workshop Fellows start their own ventures or build careers in publishing. Since our inaugural program in 2017, alumni have gone on to jobs at journals, agencies, and presses such as Bookends Literary Agency, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Getty Publications, Hachette Publishing Group, Harper’s Magazine, Harvard University Press, Unnamed Press, PEN Faulkner Foundation, Penguin Random House, Stanford University Press, and many more.

The program is open to undergraduates completing their degree by December 2025, those who have recently graduated, current graduate students, and people with relevant experience and interest in entering the publishing industry. Need need-based scholarships are available. The Publishing Workshop is online and does not require travel to Los Angeles.

Apply now through April 1. For more information and applications visit www.larbpublishingworkshop.org.

You can listen to 2024 Fellows talk about their experience here.

A video of this year’s information session is available here.

For questions about the workshop, please contact us at publishingworkshop@lareviewofbooks.org.

Careers in Human Resources and Labor Relations

Don’t Forget These!

Summer Language Learning

•  June 16th – August 8th, 2025  •

Session includes
• ArabicPersianSwahiliTurkish, 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!

Preview of Spring 2025 Creative Writing Events

We’ll advertise these individually as they approach (with location info) but now would be a great time to get them all in your calendar.

Carr Visiting Author Series: Dante Micheaux
Thursday, April 10, 2025 | 4:30

Poetry Reading by Janice Harrington and Angie Estes
Thursday, April 17, 2025 | 6:00

MFA Public Reading
Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 1:00

Research Workshops

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) announces its Spring 2025 workshop calendar. We are offering a variety of workshops to support you regardless of where you are in your research journey. Information for each workshop, including how you can register, can be found on our website . For all workshops, participation is by advanced registration only; there are a limited number of spots available for each workshop, so please sign up as soon as possible. Workshops will be added throughout the term based on demand.

Tuesday @7 Workshops with the Counseling Center

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.