Follow the department on social media!

Important Dates and Deadlines

March 22: Deadline to ADD a 2nd-8-week course
April 1: Priority registration for Summer and Fall 2024 begins
April 12: Deadline to DROP a 2nd-8-week course

Odyssey Project Internship

The Odyssey Project internship is available to undergraduate majors in the humanities, arts, social sciences, and education who wish to work with the Odyssey Project, a program through the Humanities Research Institute that offers free college courses to qualifying members of the Champaign-Urbana community. Odyssey Project Interns are responsible for delivering onsite content and skill support for Odyssey students during class time. Read more and apply at https://hri.illinois.edu/fellowships-research-support/odyssey-project-internship. Deadline is April 8.

Don’t forget these!

Focus Group Participants Wanted (New Sign-Up Deadline)

New Filmmaking RSO

Need Academic Support?

I-Connect Experience

Summer Course Sneak Peek

Illinois Student Undergraduate Research Journal (ILSURJ)

Illinois Student Undergraduate Research Journal (ILSURJ) are looking for Copy Editors, Content Editors, Layout Specialists/Graphic Designers, and Public Relations Staff.

ILSURJ has been established for the purpose of advancing undergraduate research in all disciplines at the University of Illinois. Through the biannual publication of student research in both print and electronic format, ILSURJ showcases the dynamic nature of undergraduate inquiry on campus. Our goal is to build bridges between undergraduate and graduate students, faculty among varying disciplines, and the public. 

Through our peer-edited, faculty-reviewed electronic and print publications, we strive to develop and display the work produced by our high-achieving undergraduate researchers in all academic disciplines in the spirit of development towards professional research. We aim to inspire interest in research and individual curiosity throughout the student body, faculty, and surrounding community. To review the roles available check out the application below!

APPLY NOW!

New Student & Family Experiences is hiring Orientation Leaders

New Student and Family Experiences is looking for undergraduate students to serve as Orientation Leaders to help us welcome our Fall 2024 new students!  The position description and link to apply are below.

The OL position is designed to offer students the opportunity to implement orientation programming for new first year students and family members. OLs should be knowledgeable about the University of Illinois and have a desire to help new students have a successful transition. OLs attend a paid spring training session to help prepare them to be student leaders for New Student & Family Experience events. All OLs will assist at various events such as International Student Orientation, Fall Orientation/Welcome Days and various other orientation programs. Opportunities for continued fall/spring OL work will also be available. More information will be provided at training. The hourly rate for the OL position is $15.

APPLY NOW: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/438108272

Spring 2024 WRC Book Clubs

Voyager Scholarship

Have you demonstrated a commitment to public service? Do you plan to purse a career in public service upon graduation?  If so, the Voyager Scholarship is for you!

Eligibility
U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients who are entering their junior year (will be a junior in the Fall 2024), with a 3.0+ GPA and demonstrated financial need are eligible to apply. 

The Voyager Scholarship (Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service) is awarded to students focused on public service careers. A career in public service includes a range of occupations in government, non-profits or the private sector, from community organizing to social work and from entrepreneurship to the arts—all committed to solving our biggest challenges together. It provides up to $80,000 toward your education ($25,000/yr of financial aid for junior and senior year, $10,000 for a summer experience, and $2,000 annually for 10 years for travel). 

Learn about recent Illinois Voyager Scholars.

Deadline 
The final submittal deadline is in March 27, 2024.

For more information, contact the scholarships office at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit our website at www.topscholars.illinois.edu 

LAS Career Services Spring Programming

Call for Submissions

You are invited to submit your work to the Madison Journal of Literary Criticism for the Spring 2024 Dream Edition! This edition will encompass what it means to “dream of more,” which includes both contemplating future aspirations and reimagining in a multitude of constructed contexts. Whether it entails the past, present, future, systems, institutions, relationships, methodologies, holidays, politics, fashion, education, emotions…we live in a world of constructs. To break away from these constructs, we dream of something new, something kinder, something better. This edition focuses on how those dreams take shape and will showcase the collective desire—and manifestation—of change that transcends the limits of our current reality. This edition we hope to publish criticism: academic, poetic, in the medium of art or prose or short stories. We hope to have a loose theme as writers and creators are more than willing to interpret, define, and redefine the term however suits them best, so the submitted work does not have to explicitly tie to abolition or social justice. We welcome nuanced perspectives and multiple interpretations, so please submit! 

For samples of work previously published : View MJLC’s Past Editions

If you have any questions, please direct them to mjlc@rso.wisc.edu

Follow the department on social media!

Important Dates and Deadlines

March 8: Deadline to drop a full-semester course without a W
March 9-17: Spring Break
March 18: Second 8-week courses (aka Part of Term B) begin

Humanities in Action (HIA) DEADLINE APPROACHING!

Get $1000 to learn, grow, and serve the community 

Interested in applying your humanities training to address a vital area of need in the Champaign-Urbana community? Apply to be a Fall 2024 Humanities in Action scholar. HIA Scholars receive $1000, training, and support for their participation in this semester-long service program. Complete applications are due March 8. View application details. 

A partnership between We CU and the Humanities Research Institute (HRI), HIA is intended to help remove some of the financial barriers that prevent humanities students from taking advantage of community engagement opportunities through the School of Social Work’s Community Learning Lab. Humanities in Action scholars work with community partners to serve the Champaign-Urbana community. Each student will receive $1000 over the course of the semester to support their participation in the program, which requires around a 4 hour per week time commitment. Past HIA scholars have developed long-term relationships with community organizations, leading to a variety of other opportunities beyond the program. 

Support for Undergraduate Research DEADLINE APPROACHING

Learn about Careers in User Experience (UX)

Attention all students passionate about User Experience! We’re thrilled to announce that registration for UX Days 2024 is officially open! This two-day conference is your gateway to the dynamic world of UX, featuring keynotes and breakout sessions led by industry experts from top companies like Fetch, AbbVie, OSF Healthcare, Accenture, IDEO, Hyatt Hotels, and more.

Join us for a transformative experience where you’ll network with professionals, receive career guidance, and even have your portfolio reviewed. At just $10 per day or $20 for an all-access pass covering both days (which includes all meals and sessions), UX Days 2024 is a steal. Don’t wait – spots are limited! Register now to secure your spot and embark on your journey to a rewarding career in UX. The deadline to register is March 18.

Registration link: https://go.illinois.edu/UXDay2024

OUR Seeking Research Ambassadors

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is looking for motivated and personable undergraduate students in all majors who are excited to introduce and support peers through the Illinois research experience. If you have engaged in research or creative inquiry, be it through coursework, assisting faculty, research staff, or graduate students, or conducting a project of your own, we invite you to apply to the IURA Program and help other students along their research journeys.   This application is for the 24/25 academic year. Students will dedicate 5 hours in the Spring 2024 semester to training and assisting with the Undergraduate Research Symposium. Ambassadors will then be expected to work 30 hours per semester for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.   

IURAs are a collaborative cohort of accomplished and experienced students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Ambassadors will promote undergraduate research on the UIUC campus and help OUR develop and maintain student-focused programs that represent UIUC’s diverse array of disciplines.  

Learn more and apply here by Monday, March 18, 2024 at 11:59 pm.

VOICE Graduate Student Reading

Join us in hearing MFA students in Creative Writing read their work at the Literary Bookbar (122 N. Neil Street, Champaign) on March 21 at 7pm.

Proud to be First Gen Series Returns!

Scholarship Opportunities and Application Resources

Don’t forget these!

Undergraduate Competition DEADLINE APPROACHING!

Image of Research – Undergraduate Competition
Deadline to enter: Tuesday, March 19
All undergraduate students are invited to enter the 2024 Image of Research competition. Students should submit a photo related to their research, scholarship, or creative work and a short (100-200 word) narrative to communicate the connection between the image and their research. Awards include 1st ($300), 2nd ($200), and People’s Choice ($100). All submissions will be celebrated at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Hiring for Pre-Health Ambassadors Position

Application available at https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/668646164

Description: The Pre-Health Ambassadors provide assistance to The Career Center’s (TCC) Health Professions and Graduate School Preparation Team on projects related to preparation and application to health professional school programs (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, etc.). Ambassadors engage in both small and large projects while receiving continuous personalized professional development from TCC staff. They host information sessions, offer peer advising, and provide insights to prospective students and their families. We are looking for highly motivated students with diverse experiences to apply their knowledge and effectively communicate their experiences to students in the pre-health community.

Focus Group Participants Wanted (New Sign-Up Deadline)

New Filmmaking RSO

Need Academic Support?

I-Connect Experience

Summer Course Sneak Peek

Illinois Student Undergraduate Research Journal (ILSURJ)

Illinois Student Undergraduate Research Journal (ILSURJ) are looking for Copy Editors, Content Editors, Layout Specialists/Graphic Designers, and Public Relations Staff.

ILSURJ has been established for the purpose of advancing undergraduate research in all disciplines at the University of Illinois. Through the biannual publication of student research in both print and electronic format, ILSURJ showcases the dynamic nature of undergraduate inquiry on campus. Our goal is to build bridges between undergraduate and graduate students, faculty among varying disciplines, and the public. 

Through our peer-edited, faculty-reviewed electronic and print publications, we strive to develop and display the work produced by our high-achieving undergraduate researchers in all academic disciplines in the spirit of development towards professional research. We aim to inspire interest in research and individual curiosity throughout the student body, faculty, and surrounding community. To review the roles available check out the application below!

APPLY NOW!

Online Middle Grades Graduate Certificate

The Middle Grades Graduate Certificate program at the College of Education provides a pathway for non-teachers to earn their teaching license in the state of Illinois. This Graduate Certificate (CERT) program is offered with endorsement options in two areas (Literacy and Science) and culminates with licensure to teach learners in grades 5-8. Candidates who have completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant content area are eligible for this program (NOTE: This program is most suitable for students with undergraduate degrees in English or science). Graduates of the Middle Grades Certificate program may also apply their coursework toward a master’s degree in the College of Education. The deadline to apply for the Summer 2024 cohort is March 15^th. 

New Student & Family Experiences is hiring Orientation Leaders

New Student and Family Experiences is looking for undergraduate students to serve as Orientation Leaders to help us welcome our Fall 2024 new students!  The position description and link to apply are below.

The OL position is designed to offer students the opportunity to implement orientation programming for new first year students and family members. OLs should be knowledgeable about the University of Illinois and have a desire to help new students have a successful transition. OLs attend a paid spring training session to help prepare them to be student leaders for New Student & Family Experience events. All OLs will assist at various events such as International Student Orientation, Fall Orientation/Welcome Days and various other orientation programs. Opportunities for continued fall/spring OL work will also be available. More information will be provided at training. The hourly rate for the OL position is $15.

APPLY NOW: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/438108272

Spring 2024 WRC Book Clubs

Voyager Scholarship

Have you demonstrated a commitment to public service? Do you plan to purse a career in public service upon graduation?  If so, the Voyager Scholarship is for you!

Eligibility
U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients who are entering their junior year (will be a junior in the Fall 2024), with a 3.0+ GPA and demonstrated financial need are eligible to apply. 

The Voyager Scholarship (Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service) is awarded to students focused on public service careers. A career in public service includes a range of occupations in government, non-profits or the private sector, from community organizing to social work and from entrepreneurship to the arts—all committed to solving our biggest challenges together. It provides up to $80,000 toward your education ($25,000/yr of financial aid for junior and senior year, $10,000 for a summer experience, and $2,000 annually for 10 years for travel). 

Learn about recent Illinois Voyager Scholars.

Deadline 
The final submittal deadline is in March 27, 2024.

For more information, contact the scholarships office at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit our website at www.topscholars.illinois.edu 

LAS Career Services Spring Programming

Call for Submissions

You are invited to submit your work to the Madison Journal of Literary Criticism for the Spring 2024 Dream Edition! This edition will encompass what it means to “dream of more,” which includes both contemplating future aspirations and reimagining in a multitude of constructed contexts. Whether it entails the past, present, future, systems, institutions, relationships, methodologies, holidays, politics, fashion, education, emotions…we live in a world of constructs. To break away from these constructs, we dream of something new, something kinder, something better. This edition focuses on how those dreams take shape and will showcase the collective desire—and manifestation—of change that transcends the limits of our current reality. This edition we hope to publish criticism: academic, poetic, in the medium of art or prose or short stories. We hope to have a loose theme as writers and creators are more than willing to interpret, define, and redefine the term however suits them best, so the submitted work does not have to explicitly tie to abolition or social justice. We welcome nuanced perspectives and multiple interpretations, so please submit! 

For samples of work previously published : View MJLC’s Past Editions

If you have any questions, please direct them to mjlc@rso.wisc.edu

Follow the department on social media!

Important Dates and Deadlines

February 29: Deadline for Spring Writing Contest submissions
March 4: Registration opens for English & Creative Writing Convocation
March 8: Deadline to drop a full-semester course without a W

As always, if you would like to schedule an advising appointment with Anna or Keshia, please CALL the office at 217-333-4346. We are happy to answers questions via email (englishadvising@illinois.edu) but complex matters require an appointment (in person or virtual).

Spring Creative Writing Contests

Deadline: Noon, Thursday, February 29, 2024
The English Department is pleased to announce its annual undergraduate literary competitions in Short Fiction and Poetry. Prizes range from $100 to $1500 with multiple awards in each category.

Contest rules are as follows:
Short Fiction: Submit no more than one unpublished story (7500 words, maximum length)
Poetry: Submit up to 5 unpublished poems in a single document.

To be considered for a prize, submissions must adhere to the following rules:

• All submissions must be sent via email as an attachment to: jdudek4@illinois.edu.
• The subject line of your email message must read as follows: “UNDERGRAD POETRY: Last name” or “UNDERGRAD FICTION: Last name”
• If you enter in both categories (poetry and fiction), you will need to send separate emails.
• In the body of your email, please include your:
  • name
  • address
  • phone number
  • e-mail address
  • status (grad or undergrad)
  • UIN

This year, we are also able to offer new scholarships worth $1000 in both Fiction and Poetry. These scholarships will be distributed to students based on merit, with preference given to students displaying financial need and who graduated from an Illinois high school.

If you would like to be considered for one of these scholarships, please include the following along with the information above:

• a brief note on your financial need
• the name of the Illinois high school from which you graduated

Your entry itself is to be contained in one attached .docx file. The name of this file must be the contest category followed by your last name, such as “FICTION JONES.docx” or “POETRY JONES.docx” Your name should not appear within the document itself.

Winners will be announced April 1. Please direct any questions to John Dudek, Associate Director of Creative Writing at jdudek4@illinois.edu.

ESA Upcoming Events

MFA “Alt-Ac” Workshop–Undergrads Welcome!

If you’re an undergraduate who is considering applying to MFA programs down the road, feel free to join current MFA students at a meeting on Feb 21 to talk about post-graduate career prospects (with an emphasis on alternative and non-academic careers–in other words, what might you do with an MFA if you don’t want to teach?). This event is part of an ongoing professional development series open to all.

Join the Skeuomorphics

Skeuomorph Press & BookLab is forming a club! Whether you’re a seasoned printmaking enthusiast or a curious beginner, this is your chance to immerse yourself in the of art of making the book. From zines to chapbooks to comics to digital text, we’ve got them all! Join the Skeuomorphics to connect with fellow enthusiasts and connect with the magic of the book.

If you’d like to learn more, print a cool bookmark, or just grab a free snack, come to our member interest event on Tuesday, February 20^th from 4-5:30pm.

Book Talk by Elizabeth Massa Hoiem

The Education of Things: How British Children’s Books and Toys Taught Science and Manufacturing, 1762-1860

Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 3-5pm
University of Illinois Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Room 346 in the Main Library, 1408 W. Gregory.

By the close of the eighteenth century, learning to read and write became closely associated with learning about the material world, and a vast array of games and books from the era taught children how to comprehend the physical world of “things.” Hoiem reveals the class politics behind the playful literature, toys, and learning aids created to teach reading alongside science, technology, and economics. She argues that with the rise of manufacturing, skills such as tinkering, observation, and experimentation became essential new literacies for an industrial economy. As work was repositioned as play, wealthy children were encouraged to do tasks in the classroom that poor children performed for wages, while working-class children honed skills that would be crucial to their social advancement as adults. Rare books will also be on display for you to view. The public event is free and open to all, and refreshments will be served. 

VOICE: Graduate Student Reading

Come hear MFA students read from their work on Feb 22 at 7pm at The Literary Bookbar, 122 N Neil St. in Champaign.

This month will feature:

• Hannah Thorpe
• Callan Latham
• Nina King Sannes

Spring 2024 WRC Book Clubs

Register for February sessions using the links provided:

House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City, 3) by Sarah J. Maas
Discussion will take place on Friday, February 23 at 3 pm at the WRC. | Books will not be provided for this book club.  However, participants will receive book-related merch.

Get Help with Big Writing Projects

UI-CON is happening in March!

Don’t forget, UI-CON is being held at the Illini Union on March 2nd & 3rd, 2024!

This is Chambana’s first-ever Comic and Anime Convention, and you can register for FREE!

UI-CON aims to provide a free convention for Central Illinois residents through the efforts of various UIUC RSOs. This includes JAC (Japanese Anime Club), CDL (Cosplay Design League), Character Creation Hub (CCH), and many more. Our convention focuses on anime, comics, and WEBTOON. We aim to provide opportunities to students and local artists to sell their art and products, make new connections, and support fan culture in Central Illinois, especially for students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

With the help of the UIUC English Department, this free convention is hosting a wide variety of events, such as performances, a cosplay contest, and a huge hall for artists and vendors. We are also collaborating with multiple high-scale entities such as video game developers, voice actors, and WEBTOON.

Check out all our special events and our latest news announcements here!

https://www.ui-con.org

Careers in Human Resources

Support for Undergraduate Research

Summer Course Sneak Peek

Humanities in Action (HIA)

Get $1000 to learn, grow, and serve the community 

Interested in applying your humanities training to address a vital area of need in the Champaign-Urbana community? Apply to be a Fall 2024 Humanities in Action scholar. HIA Scholars receive $1000, training, and support for their participation in this semester-long service program. Complete applications are due March 8. View application details. 

Beinecke Scholarship

Looking to gain a graduate degree (PhD or MFA) in the arts, humanities, or social sciences?  If so, the Beinecke Scholarship is a merit- and need-based scholarship that can fund you! 

Eligibility
Juniors who are U.S. citizens, who have received need-based financial aid at UIUC, and who are pursuing a terminal degree in the arts, humanities, and social sciences are eligible to apply. 

The Beinecke Scholarship provides $5,000 to recipients immediately prior to entering graduate school and an additional $30,000 while attending graduate school. 

The Beinecke seeks students with demonstrated superior standards of intellectual ability, scholastic achievement, and personal promise. Students who have taken a breadth of coursework (not just artistic performance classes) and who seek a terminal degree (PhD or MFA) in the arts, humanities, and social sciences are prioritized. While eligible, applications for professional degrees such as law or business are generally not competitive. Applicants should have received need-based financial aid at Illinois and be dependent on financial assistance to attend graduate school. 

Get tips about applying from recent Illinois Beinecke Scholars.

The required campus deadline is March 4, 2024, at 12:00pm (noon).

For more information, contact the scholarships office at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit our website at www.topscholars.illinois.edu 

Illinois Student Undergraduate Research Journal (ILSURJ)

Illinois Student Undergraduate Research Journal (ILSURJ) are looking for Copy Editors, Content Editors, Layout Specialists/Graphic Designers, and Public Relations Staff.

ILSURJ has been established for the purpose of advancing undergraduate research in all disciplines at the University of Illinois. Through the biannual publication of student research in both print and electronic format, ILSURJ showcases the dynamic nature of undergraduate inquiry on campus. Our goal is to build bridges between undergraduate and graduate students, faculty among varying disciplines, and the public. 

Through our peer-edited, faculty-reviewed electronic and print publications, we strive to develop and display the work produced by our high-achieving undergraduate researchers in all academic disciplines in the spirit of development towards professional research. We aim to inspire interest in research and individual curiosity throughout the student body, faculty, and surrounding community. To review the roles available check out the application below!

APPLY NOW!

Online Middle Grades Graduate Certificate

The Middle Grades Graduate Certificate program at the College of Education provides a pathway for non-teachers to earn their teaching license in the state of Illinois. This Graduate Certificate (CERT) program is offered with endorsement options in two areas (Literacy and Science) and culminates with licensure to teach learners in grades 5-8. Candidates who have completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant content area are eligible for this program (NOTE: This program is most suitable for students with undergraduate degrees in English or science). Graduates of the Middle Grades Certificate program may also apply their coursework toward a master’s degree in the College of Education. The deadline to apply for the Summer 2024 cohort is March 15^th. 

Check Out Tuesday @ 7 Workshops

Each week, undergraduate Counseling Center paraprofessionals offer interactive workshops on topics relevant to other students. Please visit our website for login information and upcoming topics.

Here are our workshops for the month of February:

February 20 | Brrrreaking the Ice: Coping with the Winter Blues*

February 27 | Your Lucky Charm to Reduce Harm: Safe Substance Use During Unofficial | La Casa 104 

All workshops denoted with a (*) are held over Zoom. Click here to join the Zoom meeting or check out the meeting information below.

Meeting ID: 863 0232 2916
Password: T@7

New Student & Family Experiences is hiring Orientation Leaders

New Student and Family Experiences is looking for undergraduate students to serve as Orientation Leaders to help us welcome our Fall 2024 new students!  The position description and link to apply are below.

The OL position is designed to offer students the opportunity to implement orientation programming for new first year students and family members. OLs should be knowledgeable about the University of Illinois and have a desire to help new students have a successful transition. OLs attend a paid spring training session to help prepare them to be student leaders for New Student & Family Experience events. All OLs will assist at various events such as International Student Orientation, Fall Orientation/Welcome Days and various other orientation programs. Opportunities for continued fall/spring OL work will also be available. More information will be provided at training. The hourly rate for the OL position is $15.

APPLY NOW: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/438108272

Don’t forget these!

Voyager Scholarship

Have you demonstrated a commitment to public service? Do you plan to purse a career in public service upon graduation?  If so, the Voyager Scholarship is for you!

Eligibility
U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients who are entering their junior year (will be a junior in the Fall 2024), with a 3.0+ GPA and demonstrated financial need are eligible to apply. 

The Voyager Scholarship (Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service) is awarded to students focused on public service careers. A career in public service includes a range of occupations in government, non-profits or the private sector, from community organizing to social work and from entrepreneurship to the arts—all committed to solving our biggest challenges together. It provides up to $80,000 toward your education ($25,000/yr of financial aid for junior and senior year, $10,000 for a summer experience, and $2,000 annually for 10 years for travel). 

Learn about recent Illinois Voyager Scholars.

Deadline 
The priority campus deadline is February 22, 2024 at 12:00pm (noon). 
The final submittal deadline is in March 2024, the date is TBA.

For more information, contact the scholarships office at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit our website at www.topscholars.illinois.edu 

Gilman Scholarships

Are you a Pell grant recipient who wants to study abroad or do an international internship? If so, the Gilman Scholarship is for you!

Eligibility
Freshmen through Seniors who are U.S. citizens or nationals, Pell grant recipients, in good academic standing, and will be participating in a credit-bearing study abroad program or international internship are eligible to apply. 

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship provides enrolled students, who are Pell grant recipients, up to $5,000 for either study abroad or an internship abroad. If you plan to study a language critical to U.S. national security while abroad, you can apply for an additional $3,000. If you plan to conduct STEM-related research while studying abroad, you can apply for an additional $1,000.   

Get tips about applying from recent Illinois Gilman Scholars.

Deadline 
The national deadline is March 7, 2024.

For more information, contact the scholarships office at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit our website at www.topscholars.illinois.edu 

LAS Career Services Spring Programming

Call for Submissions

You are invited to submit your work to the Madison Journal of Literary Criticism for the Spring 2024 Dream Edition! This edition will encompass what it means to “dream of more,” which includes both contemplating future aspirations and reimagining in a multitude of constructed contexts. Whether it entails the past, present, future, systems, institutions, relationships, methodologies, holidays, politics, fashion, education, emotions…we live in a world of constructs. To break away from these constructs, we dream of something new, something kinder, something better. This edition focuses on how those dreams take shape and will showcase the collective desire—and manifestation—of change that transcends the limits of our current reality. This edition we hope to publish criticism: academic, poetic, in the medium of art or prose or short stories. We hope to have a loose theme as writers and creators are more than willing to interpret, define, and redefine the term however suits them best, so the submitted work does not have to explicitly tie to abolition or social justice. We welcome nuanced perspectives and multiple interpretations, so please submit! 

For samples of work previously published : View MJLC’s Past Editions

If you have any questions, please direct them to mjlc@rso.wisc.edu

Image of Research-Undergraduate Competition

Image of Research – Undergraduate Competition
Deadline to enter: Tuesday, March 19
All undergraduate students are invited to enter the 2024 Image of Research competition. Students should submit a photo related to their research, scholarship, or creative work and a short (100-200 word) narrative to communicate the connection between the image and their research. Awards include 1st ($300), 2nd ($200), and People’s Choice ($100). All submissions will be celebrated at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Opportunity for Pre-law Students

Have you considered summer study abroad and are interested in studying law? Join Cornell Law School faculty and the Office of Global Learning to learn more about the Cornell Prelaw Program in Paris, a three-week academic program in international and comparative law. Study law in a uniquely international and culturally rich environment, combining the excellence of Cornell Law School faculty and the Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne. Prepare for the law school admissions process and acquire the study skills for success in law school.

Follow the department on social media!

Important Dates and Deadlines

February 9: Deadline to drop a first 8-week course (aka Part of Term A) without a W
February 9: Deadline for Kevin T. Early Poetry Prize Submissions
March 8: Deadline to drop a full-semester course (aka Part of Term 1) without a W

As always, if you would like to schedule an advising appointment with Anna or Keshia, please CALL the office at 217-333-4346. We are happy to answers questions via email (englishadvising@illinois.edu) but for more complex matters such as schedule rearrangement, overall degree planning, or existential-crisis-management, an actual appointment is preferable (in person or virtual, as you prefer). We look forward to seeing many of you this semester and wish you all safe travels and a lack of frostbite in the coming week!

For those of you planning to graduate in May or August, be on the lookout for information about the English & Creative Writing Convocation ceremony, which will take place on Saturday, May 11 at 5pm in Smith Hall. We will be sending out emails in February with more details about the registration process, and we are in the process of updating the webpage for the event.

Congrats!

Please join us congratulating three English department winners of 2023-2024 LAS Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching: Hina Nazar, Julie Price, and Annah Freudenburg. Thanks to these wonderful teachers for all they do!

American Literary History Symposium–FRIDAY, FEB 2!

Free and open to the public!

Call for Student Alumni Ambassadors–DEADLINE APPROACHING

The Student Alumni Ambassadors (SAA) group is responsible for events such as Illinois Sights and Sounds, Homecoming events, I love Illinois week, iHelp, Senior 100 Honorary, and more! Members of the Student Alumni Ambassadors are involved in fostering the Illini spirit in the campus community of the University of Illinois. Through engagement with their peers, as well as networking with professionals and alumni, the members of our organization create once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Each carefully selected member gets the opportunity to be a part of the planning and execution of long-standing traditions as well as developing new traditions for students to come.

If you wish to make a mark on campus that will be remembered for years to come, the Student Alumni Ambassadors is the organization for you. The application is now open and due on February 3rd at 11:59 PM. Visit our website www.illinisaa.com and apply now at SAA2023.”

Kimberly Mack Lecture

“We pushed the boundaries by rocking through the boundaries”: Living Colour, Race, and Rock and Roll

Dr. Kimberly Mack (UIUC, English)
Smith Hall Room 220
Monday, February 5, 7:00 PM
Free and open to the public

The iconic Black rock band Living Colour’s album Time’s Up, released in 1990, was recorded in the aftermath of the spectacular critical and commercial success of their debut record Vivid. Given the segregated nature of the record industry during the 1980s, with artists tethered to strict, race-based musical categories, and the resistance Black rockers sometimes faced from both White rock audiences and skeptics in the Black community, Living Colour’s success was entirely unexpected. After succeeding beyond what anyone predicted and evolving away from the need to conform to the sonic expectations of critics and fans, or chasing commercial success, their next release reflected significant creative growth. Time’s Up is a musical and lyrical triumph, incorporating distinct forms and styles of music and featuring inspired collaborations with artists as distinct as Little Richard, Queen Latifah, Maceo Parker, and Mick Jagger.

In this presentation focused on her recent 33 1/3 series book, Time’s Up, Kimberly Mack uses autobiographical narrative to explore her experience growing up in Brooklyn, New York in a family both musical and violent, and the ways in which that upbringing impacted her coming of age and musical listening. She will also have a larger conversation about race, musical genre, and cultural gatekeeping, while exploring the importance of Time’s Up sonically, lyrically, and politically.

Scholarship Info Session

You’re invited to an informational meeting on applying for our department undergraduate scholarships. The meeting will explain the application materials and process, along with due dates.

WHAT: Applying for English Undergraduate Scholarships
WHEN: Wednesday, February 7^th at 5:00pm
WHERE: Zoom. You’ll have to sign in to join. For link and password, see below

Every year, we give out numerous scholarships that recognize and reward our English majors, including English, Creative Writing, and Teaching of English. (Several of our scholarships are specifically for future teachers of English). Scholarship amounts vary, but most of them range from $300 to $3000, with a few scholarships giving nearly full tuition for a semester or year.

If you can’t make the meeting or if you have questions, please email Professor Catharine Gray at cathgray@illinois.edu.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://illinois.zoom.us/j/83149765763?pwd=OS92VTJvQk1iNGVyeVhCQXRXOTkvUT09

Meeting ID: 831 4976 5763
Password: 172038

Support for Undergraduate Research

Poetry Prize for First-Year Students

Submissions are now being accepted for the Kevin T. Early Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is made possible through an endowment by William and Donna Early in memory of their son, a poet, Kevin T. Early. It awards $2000 to a student with freshman standing at UIUC for the 2023-2024 school year. The deadline for application is Friday, February 9, 2024.  (If you started as a first year-student out of high school in the fall but gained sophomore standing early because of test-based credits, you are still eligible).

If you would like to be considered, please submit 5 poems via email to John Dudek at Jdudek4@illinois.edu. The complete submission should not exceed 5 pages (so 1 poem to a page). Submissions should be attached to the email as .docx (Word) files.

The subject line of the email should read: “EARLY PRIZE SUBMISSION: Last name.”

The body of the email should include the student’s name, address, phone number, e-mail, UIN, and the titles of the poems. The name should not appear on the entry file itself. Complete guidelines will be sent out via email. Please direct any questions to Jdudek4@illinois.edu.

Humanities in Action (HIA)

Get $1000 to learn, grow, and serve the community 

Interested in applying your humanities training to address a vital area of need in the Champaign-Urbana community? Apply to be a Fall 2024 Humanities in Action scholar. HIA Scholars receive $1000, training, and support for their participation in this semester-long service program. Learn more at an information session on Feb. 15. Complete applications are due March 8. View application details. 

Register for the information session 

LAS Career Services Spring Programming

Spring 2024 WRC Book Clubs

Register for February sessions using the links provided:

Unf*ck Your Boundaries: Build Better Relationships Through Consent, Communication, and Expressing Your Needs by Dr. Faith G. Harper, LPC-S, ACS, ACN
Discussion will take place on Friday, February 9 at 3 pm at the WRC. | Sign up and request a copy of the book: go.illinois.edu/boundariesbookclub 

House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City, 3) by Sarah J. Maas
Discussion will take place on Friday, February 23 at 3 pm at the WRC. | Books will not be provided for this book club.  However, participants will receive book-related merch.

Research Park Internships

Free Panel Event in Partnership with Research Park
Friday, Feb 16, 12:00-1:00 pm
Illini Union, Room 104

Particular focus on opportunities for students in non-STEM majors and programs!

Research Park internships are not just for engineering students! Hear from a panel of current Illinois students who have worked for Research Park companies in many diverse areas. Learn about the projects they are working on, the benefits of Research Park internships, and how you can find an on-campus opportunity to work for a tech company. This event is hosted by the Research Park and The Career Center. Food will be served.
This event is free. However, space is limited to 80 student attendees.

Students should register at https://go.illinois.edu/ResearchParkPanel.  This event will also be a great way to prepare for the Research Park Career Fair, which will follow on February 26^th.

Beinecke Scholarship Information Sessions & Workshop

Looking to gain a graduate degree (PhD or MFA) in the arts, humanities, or social sciences? 

If so, the Beinecke Scholarship is a merit- and need-based scholarship that can fund you! 

Eligibility
Juniors who are U.S. citizens, who have received need-based financial aid at UIUC, and who are pursuing a terminal degree in the arts, humanities, and social sciences are eligible to apply. 

The Beinecke Scholarship provides $5,000 to recipients immediately prior to entering graduate school and an additional $30,000 while attending graduate school. 

The Beinecke seeks students with demonstrated superior standards of intellectual ability, scholastic achievement, and personal promise. Students who have taken a breadth of coursework (not just artistic performance classes) and who seek a terminal degree (PhD or MFA) in the arts, humanities, and social sciences are prioritized. While eligible, applications for professional degrees such as law or business are generally not competitive. Applicants should have received need-based financial aid at Illinois and be dependent on financial assistance to attend graduate school. 

Get tips about applying from recent Illinois Beinecke Scholars.

Deadline 
The required campus deadline is March 4, 2024, at 12:00pm (noon).

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

IN-PERSON Beinecke Scholarship Information Session
Thursday, February 8, 2024, 3:30-4:30 pm
514 Illini Union Bookstore Building, Floor 5

ONLINE Beinecke Scholarship Information Session
Friday, February 9, 2024, 9:00-10:100 am
Register in advance for this Zoom session.

IN-PERSON Beinecke Scholarship Workshop
Friday, February 9, 2024, 3:00-4:00 pm
514 Illini Union Bookstore Building, Floor 5

For more information, contact the scholarships office at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit our website at www.topscholars.illinois.edu 

Don’t forget these!

Voyager Scholarship Information Sessions & Workshop

Have you demonstrated a commitment to public service? Do you plan to purse a career in public service upon graduation?  If so, the Voyager Scholarship is for you!

Eligibility
U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients who are entering their junior year (will be a junior in the Fall 2024), with a 3.0+ GPA and demonstrated financial need are eligible to apply. 

The Voyager Scholarship (Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service) is awarded to students focused on public service careers. A career in public service includes a range of occupations in government, non-profits or the private sector, from community organizing to social work and from entrepreneurship to the arts—all committed to solving our biggest challenges together. It provides up to $80,000 toward your education ($25,000/yr of financial aid for junior and senior year, $10,000 for a summer experience, and $2,000 annually for 10 years for travel). 

Learn about recent Illinois Voyager Scholars.

Deadline 
The priority campus deadline is February 22, 2024 at 12:00pm (noon). 
The final submittal deadline is in March 2024, the date is TBA.

For more information, contact the scholarships office at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit our website at www.topscholars.illinois.edu 

Gilman Scholarship Information Sessions & Workshop–WORKSHOPS THIS FRIDAY, FEB 2!

Are you a Pell grant recipient who wants to study abroad or do an international internship? If so, the Gilman Scholarship is for you!

Eligibility
Freshmen through Seniors who are U.S. citizens or nationals, Pell grant recipients, in good academic standing, and will be participating in a credit-bearing study abroad program or international internship are eligible to apply. 

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship provides enrolled students, who are Pell grant recipients, up to $5,000 for either study abroad or an internship abroad. If you plan to study a language critical to U.S. national security while abroad, you can apply for an additional $3,000. If you plan to conduct STEM-related research while studying abroad, you can apply for an additional $1,000.   

Get tips about applying from recent Illinois Gilman Scholars.

Deadline 
The national deadline is March 7, 2024.

Application Preparation
If you are interested in applying, please attend one of our informational sessions:   

ONLINE Gilman Scholarship Information Session
Friday, February 2, 2024, 9:00-10:100 am
Register in advance for this Zoom session.

IN-PERSON Gilman Scholarship Workshop
Friday, February 2, 2024, 3:00-4:00 pm
514 Illini Union Bookstore Building, Floor 5

For more information, contact the scholarships office at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit our website at www.topscholars.illinois.edu 

Apply now to be a Summer 2024 Community-Academic Scholar!

Apply now to be a Summer 2024 Community-Academic Scholar

The Community-Academic Scholars program is a 10-week summer research experience that empowers undergraduates in all majors to address critical issues in Champaign-Urbana. Scholars work with an Illinois researcher and a community organization on a research project designed to directly benefit the community members served by the partner organization. Review the project descriptions and the scholar’s role within each project to find projects that best match your strengths and background. Apply by Feb. 6. 

Professional Development with the ILC!

Call for Submissions

You are invited to submit your work to the Madison Journal of Literary Criticism for the Spring 2024 Dream Edition! This edition will encompass what it means to “dream of more,” which includes both contemplating future aspirations and reimagining in a multitude of constructed contexts. Whether it entails the past, present, future, systems, institutions, relationships, methodologies, holidays, politics, fashion, education, emotions…we live in a world of constructs. To break away from these constructs, we dream of something new, something kinder, something better. This edition focuses on how those dreams take shape and will showcase the collective desire—and manifestation—of change that transcends the limits of our current reality. This edition we hope to publish criticism: academic, poetic, in the medium of art or prose or short stories. We hope to have a loose theme as writers and creators are more than willing to interpret, define, and redefine the term however suits them best, so the submitted work does not have to explicitly tie to abolition or social justice. We welcome nuanced perspectives and multiple interpretations, so please submit! 

For samples of work previously published : View MJLC’s Past Editions

If you have any questions, please direct them to mjlc@rso.wisc.edu

Image of Research-Undergraduate Competition

Image of Research – Undergraduate Competition
Deadline to enter: Tuesday, March 19
All undergraduate students are invited to enter the 2024 Image of Research competition. Students should submit a photo related to their research, scholarship, or creative work and a short (100-200 word) narrative to communicate the connection between the image and their research. Awards include 1st ($300), 2nd ($200), and People’s Choice ($100). All submissions will be celebrated at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Opportunity for Pre-law Students

Have you considered summer study abroad and are interested in studying law? Join Cornell Law School faculty and the Office of Global Learning to learn more about the Cornell Prelaw Program in Paris, a three-week academic program in international and comparative law. Study law in a uniquely international and culturally rich environment, combining the excellence of Cornell Law School faculty and the Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne. Prepare for the law school admissions process and acquire the study skills for success in law school.

Virtual Info Session:

Wednesday, February 7, 5:00pm ET, Virtual (Zoom Link)