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Weekly Round-Up

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Important Dates

ICT/Curriculum Changes: August 18 – September 5
Labor Day Holiday: Monday, September 1
ESA Welcome Event: Thursday, September 4
Advising Office Open House: Thursday, September 4
Deadline to Add a Full-Semester Course: Monday, September 8
Express Advising Begins: Tuesday, September 9
ESA Info Session: Wednesday, September 10

Advising Office Open House

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our first Advising Office Open House this past Wednesday! It was great to chat and check-in with everyone at the beginning of the school year!

We are hosting another open house on Thursday, September 4th between 8:30 and 10am. Come visit us in the advising office for breakfast treats, beverages (hot and cold), and friendly chat (we also have games and puzzles on hand if you like that kind of thing). This is a great way to get comfortable in the space, meet new students and/or connect with old friends, and chat to advisors Maggie and Anna about how things are going (for new students, if you don’t have any major issues to resolve, this would be a fine way to complete your new student check-in).

Beginning of the Semester Check-Ins

If you have received an email from us asking you to check-in during your first two weeks, please call or stop by the office at your earliest convenience to schedule that appointment (remember that we do not schedule by email during spring and fall).

First year and new students, if everything is going well, you are more than welcome to check-in at the next Advising Office Open House or via email by sending an update about how everything is going to englishadvising@illinois.edu. If you need to make any schedule changes or have any concerns, please schedule an appointment.

Note: We encourage you to check-in no later than September 8th, as that is the last day you will be able to add a semester-long course to your Fall 2025 schedule.

As always, visit our advising webpage for contact information and instructions for scheduling advising appointments.

Express Advising – Coming Soon!

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

Welcome Event for New and Continuing Students

The Welcome Event on September 4th is a great opportunity for continuing students to welcome our new English and creative writing majors, and we hope to see many of you there!

English Student Association (ESA) Info Night

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

Help Reward Excellent Instructors!

Is there an English department instructor you have found to be especially skilled, knowledgeable, inspiring, and/or responsive to your needs as a student? If so, please nominate them for a teaching award.

You can nominate any professor, lecturer, or instructor (that includes graduate TAs) who has taught any English department course (BTW, CW, ENGL, RHET) on any topic.  You can nominate more than one person.  All you have to do is fill out the online form available at https://english.illinois.edu/resources/student-resources/resources-undergrads/nominate-outstanding-teacher. The deadline to submit nominations in this award cycle is Tuesday, September 2.

It only takes a few minutes but it’s enormously helpful to us.  Thanks in advance!

Pathways to Success – A New Mentorship Program

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

First-Gen Resource Fair Fall 2025

Join the 2025-2026 Student Success Undergraduate Advisory Board!

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

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

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

Information About Penguin Random House Internships

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

Save the Date for the Humanities Open House!

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

Upcoming LAS Career Services Events

  • Part-Time Job Fair – August 30 (11am-3pm): Looking for a part-time job? Come visit the Part-Time Job Fair on August 30 at the Illini Union!
  • JCPenney Suit Up Event – September 6 (1-6pm): Don’t miss the regular JCPenney Suit Up Event, where you can score professional gear at a much reduced cost! The LAS Career Services office will have more info to come.
  • Quiet Book Club: Come explore the new LAS Career Services library: biographies, self-help books, guides to career paths – lots of great material to help you move forward. Select a book from our collection, read in quiet company with others, and (if you wish) rate your book for the benefit of other users of our library. There will be time at the beginning and end to connect with your fellow readers. Upcoming Fridays from 1-3pm (Aug. 29, Sept. 12, Sept. 26, and Oct. 10)

Pre-Law Advising Updates

Montage – Call for Submissions!

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

Looking for a Language or Linguistics Course?

Fine Arts Courses Open to All

MUS 446: Songwriting
This course develops and refines music composition techniques and self-expression in popular, vernacular, and folk music genres. Students will:

  • Write, record, and perform original songs
  • Provide and receive constructive peer feedback
  • Reflect personally through journaling
  • Explore readings and recordings tied to class activities

Students should be comfortable singing and performing on an instrument (e.g., guitar, piano, or digital backing tracks).

MUS 428: Music Monetization
This hands-on course dives into the real-world logistics of live performance and the business of music. Students will learn how to:

  • Work with artists, agents, venues, and PR teams
  • Navigate compensation and contracts
  • Coordinate sound, lighting, and event staff
  • Organize and run a live performance event from start to finish

Restricted to upper-division undergraduates (freshmen and sophomores with instructor approval).

Academic Support and Independent Skills Development

The following courses offer academic support for students in all majors; the first is open and unrestricted, but the other two require advance permission (and may be restricted to students enrolled in the Illinois Neurodiversity Initiative).

EDUC 199, Section SAS: Strategies for Building Academic Success
This course is designed to help students develop and strengthen their academic skills, with a focus on active learning, communication, goal setting, time management, and personal growth.

HDFS 102: Academic Strategies
Stress, frustration, and difficulty surrounding academic work? Students will learn executive function strategies that can be applied directly to assignments for their current classes. These strategies will promote student success this semester and in their future academic and professional career. Discussion time will be used to complete course assignments, build social networks, and provide a quiet study space with structured accountability. This course is for students who have or suspect they have a neurodiverse brain. Email Professor Jeanne Kramer at jjkramer@illinois.edu for permission to enroll.

HDFS 204: Living on Your Own
Neurodivergent students will learn and apply essential skills for independent living. Topics include problem-solving strategies, effective communication, money management, navigating the community, home maintenance, interpersonal skills, and healthy relationships. Through interactive discussions, activities, and practical exercises, students will develop the necessary skills to thrive independently. Email Professor Jeanne Kramer at jjkramer@illinois.edu for permission to enroll.

Gilman Scholarship & Workshop

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. 

Get tips about applying from recent Illinois Gilman Scholars.

Deadline 
The national deadline is October 3, 2025.

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

IN-PERSON Gilman Scholarship Workshop
Friday, August 29, 2025, 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 

Free Little Library

Check out 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!

WRC Fall Hours

Career Development Toolkit

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Weekly Round-Up

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Important Dates

March 15-23: SPRING BREAK
March 24: Time Tickets available to view
March 28: Deadline to add 2nd 8-week course

April 7: Priority registration begins

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 here. Time 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!

Here are some things you can do ahead of time to make your registration appointment more productive: 

  • Run your degree audit and see what you can make of it. Even if you find it a little confusing, try to get a sense of what requirements you have left to fulfill, and then when we do your registration appointment we can confirm (or correct) your interpretation of the audit and help explain anything that’s confusing. 
  • Think about what you want to accomplish in the spring. What major/minor/Gen Ed requirements would you like to complete, and what other areas would you like to explore?   
  • If you are thinking of adding a major or a minor, do you know what you need to do to get started? If you’ve already begun, can you figure out the next step?  You can explore major and minor requirements listed here: http://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/
  • Consult Course Explorer and be sure to read the course descriptions in full.  Remember that if a course is called “Topics in X” then you must click through to see the individual sections and find out what topics are available. It’s also worth clicking through on any 199 (usually called Undergraduate Open Seminar) because there you may find some interesting and unusual topics being piloted, and they’re usually unrestricted. 
  • 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 (the new FA25 cheat sheet is visible there now).  

We’re Hiring! Deadline Approaching!

For the 2025-26 academic year, the Department of English is looking to hire a Social Media Management Intern from any major in the English Department. This is a great opportunity for students to apply their love of writing and literature while gaining valuable media-writing experience.

Eligibility: Undergraduate in the Department of English with at least Sophomore standing for AY25-26

Position Responsibilities:

  • Develop creative thematic post series for Facebook and Instagram
  • Promote, attend, and create social media posts about department events when safety allows
  • Design flyers, memes, and other posts for informing and entertaining students
  • Develop creative semester-long multimodal projects
  • Attend weekly meetings for brainstorming, task assignments, and collaboration
  • Edit videos and design flyers or posts
  • Collaborate with Advising Office in creating content
  • Conduct and publish interviews with faculty, alumni, students, and visiting speakers
  • Average hours worked per week: 5 (about 75 hours over a semester)

Position Wage: $15/hour
Position Starts: April, 2025

Recommended Skills and Experience:

  • Concise and catchy writing
  • Writing for social media
  • Develop and follow through on creative ideas
  • Tailor message and style to genre and audience
  • Visual design
  • Work independently
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Collaboration
  • Reliability
  • Word, Publisher, Adobe, photo & video editing
  • Photography, video, and editing skills a plus

To Apply: Submit a resume and cover letter. Application materials can be addressed to John Dudek, Associate Director of Creative Writing, and sent as email attachments to jdudek4@illinois.edu by no later than 9:00 am on Friday, March 28.

Calling All Graduating Seniors! Registration required!

If you expect to graduate in May or August you are invited to participate in the English & Creative Writing Convocation in May.  Please read on to ensure that you know all about when, where, and how you can register for our ceremony and/or the universitywide ceremony and order regalia.  

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

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

Please note that 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.   

Junior Quinn Award 2025: Deadline is now March 27!

The Junior Quinn Award recognizes achievement and potential in Creative Writing MAJORS or minors with junior class standing by awarding one or more recipients with financial support to attend a writing workshop or conference. This year’s prize will be issued as a flat $1000. We recognize that it is not always easy to determine eligibility. If you are not technically a Junior this academic year but plan to graduate no earlier than December 2025 and no later than December 2026, you may be eligible (check with an advisor if you’re not sure). You may apply for the Junior Quinn only once.

If you are eligible, we want to see a sample of your unpublished prose OR poetry:

Prose submissions can be either fiction or creative nonfiction. Limit your submission to 1-2 pieces, no more than 15 pages total. Poetry submissions should contain 3-5 poems, no more than 7 pages total. The first page of your submission (not included in page count) should be a statement of purpose explaining how attending a writing conference or other professional development opportunity would impact your writing. This statement should be no more than 250 words.

Submit your statement of purpose and creative work in one file (.docx only) to John Dudek at jdudek4@illinois.edu by noon, March 27. To make sure your submission does not get lost, the subject line of the email should be ALL CAPS and either JUNIOR QUINN POETRY or JUNIOR QUINN PROSE. The body of this email should include: Your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and UIN.

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.

Scholarship Information Sessions

Poetry and Jazz!

The Humanities Research Institute presents an evening of jazz and poetry with award-winning poet Janice N. Harrington and musician Charles “Chip” McNeil. Harrington will read selections from her book Yard Show with musical accompaniment by McNeill and student musicians from the University of Illinois School of Music. The book will be available for purchasing and signing!

March 26,  7:00 p.m Levis Faculty Center, Rm 300

First-Gen Series Event

Upcoming Events with Guest Speaker Theo Gonzalves

NEW SECOND 8-WEEK COURSE OPTION

English 103, Introduction to Fiction, taught by Peter Mortensen

What good is fiction in a world hungry for truth? We’ll search for answers on familiar ground: the college campus. Fiction about collegiate life abounds. We’ll study it by reading novels and short stories that challenge us to imagine our place and ourselves differently, which is to say critically. The critical imagination sparked by fiction can reveal larger truths about humanity and its institutions. These truths may be beautiful or ugly, lasting or fleeting, comforting or disturbing, broadly accepted or sharply contested. Whatever the case, finding truths in fiction requires a particular kind of reading: close reading. The techniques and vocabulary of close reading will equip us to make arguments in writing, arguments aimed at persuading others to share (or at least appreciate) our understanding of what we have read. Fiction on the syllabus includes Jean Hanff Korelitz’s Admission, Richard Powers’ Galatea 2.2, Weike Wang’s Chemistry, and Richard Russo’s Straight Man. With Admission and Straight Man, we’ll use close reading to evaluate what happens when the truths of prose fiction are adapted for presentation to mass audiences on screen.

Interested in Gaming?

Check out these 2nd-8-week courses, open to students in all majors! No prior experience necessary.

INFO 490 SBU/SBG
Makerspaces: Made for Learning 
This course is an exploration of the history and function of community and education-oriented makerspaces. Students in this section will evaluate emergent makerspace curricula for learning in formal environments, like schools, as well as informal settings, like libraries. The students’ coursework will culminate in a final project that will involve the development of a makerspace workshop activity that will be a part of a community event. In preparation for this final project, students will be familiarized with several methods of teaching and learning rapid prototyping and iterative design techniques. This will include a variety of low/no-tech projects and computer-driven tools, such as e-textiles, 3D printing, electronic cutting and small board electronics.

GSD 390 DHP 
Improv for Games
Whether you’ve seen it in your favorite Tabletop Role Playing game, on a television show like Whose Line is it Anyway, or in person at Second City, improvisation is everywhere. In this course, students will learn and practice basic improvisational techniques, with the goal of exploring fictional characters and scenarios in and around games and game design. Students will also get the opportunity to create new Improv games, and approach the space from a designer’s perspective. No theater or game design experience is required!

GSD 390 JAI
AI Systems in Games
Guided exploration of AI tools and how they can be used to design and build games including the use of large language models (LLM).

GSD 390 RPG
2D Game Design with RPG Maker
An introduction to the design behind 2D games. You will become proficient in RPG Maker MZ, a game engine designed for 2D forced perspective games. By the end of class you will have developed a small demo for personal reference for what you’ve learned as well as for your portfolio. No prior programming knowledge is required for students to be successful in the course. BYOL course (Bring Your Own Laptop). Students must purchase their own license of RPG Maker MZ.

Image of Research Competition–Submit by 3/25

Upcoming LAS Career Events

Careers in Human Resources and Labor Relations

Don’t Forget These!

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!

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

Yard Show: Black Life, Prairies, and Place Making In the Midwest.
Reading and performance featuring Janice N. Harrington and Chip McNeill
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 4:30

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.

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Important Dates

March 14: Deadline to DROP a full semester course
March 14: Deadline to elect GRADE REPLACEMENT for a full semester course
March 15-23: SPRING BREAK

Calling All Graduating Seniors!

If you expect to graduate in May or August you are invited to participate in the English & Creative Writing Convocation in May.  Please read on to ensure that you know all about when, where, and how you can register for our ceremony and/or the universitywide ceremony and order regalia.  

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

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

Please note that 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.   

Job Opportunities– A Deadline is TODAY!

Orientation Leaders
New Student and Family Experiences is looking for undergraduate students to serve as Orientation Leaders to help us welcome our Fall 2025 new students!  The position description and application link are here.  

Peer Advisors
The Division of General Studies (soon to be Exploratory Studies) is hiring Summer Peer Advisors! This is a great opportunity for undergraduate students looking to develop their leadership, communication, and mentorship skills while supporting incoming students during New Student Registration (NSR).

Applicants must be in good academic standing and available for training in May after final exams and to work during NSR in June–early July.

Students do not have to be former DGS students to apply, but an understanding of the ICT process is beneficial. More details, including the application link, can be found here: Summer Peer Advisor Information.

Applications are due Friday, March 7 at 5pm.

Undergraduate Research Symposium App Deadline TODAY!

The URS is the signature event of Undergraduate Research Week (April 20 – 26), which brings together students, faculty, and staff from all disciplines on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, as well as the public, to learn more about undergraduate research and its potential to change the world. Throughout the day, students will present their oral and poster presentations, creative performances, and interactive exhibits to members of the campus and local community.

  • When: Thursday, April 24, 2025
  • Where: Illini Union (A, B, C, South Lounge, and the 2nd Floor)
  • Application Deadline: Friday, March 7, 2025 at 11:59 pm

Visit the URS webpage for more information, including answers to frequently asked questions.

Applications are currently being accepted. The deadline for applying to the URS is Friday, March 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm and no late submissions will be accepted. Please note, your presentation is not expected to be complete by the application deadline. On the application, you will only be asked to provide a tentative title that can be revised until March 19 and an abstract which will be used internally by OUR to create and organize thematic sessions. Your abstract will not be published or viewed by anyone other than OUR.

Spring Break Professional Development Opportunity

If you will be in the Chicagoland area over spring break, please join LAS Career Services for an employer site visit to Feldco in Rosemont, IL, on Thursday, March 20. 

Feldco is an exterior home improvement company in Rosemont, IL The CEO, Doug Cook, is an LAS alumnus (communications major, followed by an MBA from Northwestern) who is eager to connect with current LAS students. This site visit is an opportunity to see how liberal arts and sciences skills can lead to success in a business environment — and to learn about employment opportunities in the Feldco corporate headquarters. All years and LAS majors are welcome!

Register on Handshake (advance registration is required.

Here’s the agenda for the visit:

  • Meet in the main lobby of Feldco (6300 N River Rd Suite 600, Rosemont, IL) at 10:00am!
  • 10:00am – 10:15am: get settled – snacks, coffee
  • 10:15am – 10:45am: office tour
  • 11:00am – 12pm: welcome, presentation about the company, Q&A
  • 12pm – 1pm: networking lunch (provided by Feldco)
  • 1pm to 2pm: panel conversation with UIUC alumni/informational interviews with staff in small groups
  • 2pm to 2:15pm: closing remarks.

Dress code is business casual (pants/trousers with a collared shirt or office-appropriate top — no jeans, sweats, or logos).

Some background: Feldco CEO Doug Cook on the commercial jingle that is vital to the company’s success | WGN Radio 720 – Chicago’s Very Own 

Email Kirstin Wilcox at kwilcox@illinois.edu if you have questions!

NEW SECOND 8-WEEK COURSE OPTION

English 103, Introduction to Fiction, taught by Peter Mortensen

What good is fiction in a world hungry for truth? We’ll search for answers on familiar ground: the college campus. Fiction about collegiate life abounds. We’ll study it by reading novels and short stories that challenge us to imagine our place and ourselves differently, which is to say critically. The critical imagination sparked by fiction can reveal larger truths about humanity and its institutions. These truths may be beautiful or ugly, lasting or fleeting, comforting or disturbing, broadly accepted or sharply contested. Whatever the case, finding truths in fiction requires a particular kind of reading: close reading. The techniques and vocabulary of close reading will equip us to make arguments in writing, arguments aimed at persuading others to share (or at least appreciate) our understanding of what we have read. Fiction on the syllabus includes Jean Hanff Korelitz’s Admission, Richard Powers’ Galatea 2.2, Weike Wang’s Chemistry, and Richard Russo’s Straight Man. With Admission and Straight Man, we’ll use close reading to evaluate what happens when the truths of prose fiction are adapted for presentation to mass audiences on screen.

Upcoming ESA Event

Upcoming LAS Career Events

  • Career Lab: Seniors, Jumpstart Your Future March 11, 12:30-2:30 in 2043 Lincoln Hall. LAS SENIORS: get help with your year search! (Register for a light lunch). Not sure what you’re doing after you graduate in December or May? Need help getting started? Bring your laptop, your questions, your uncertainty, drafts of documents you’re working on (resumes, cover letters, grad school statements). Staff is on hand to answer questions and offer guidance. Have lunch and meet others wrestling with the same challenges! We will provide a light lunch for those who attend. Register in Handshake to help us estimate food for this event.
  • Spring break employer site visits: March 20 Feldco (Rosemont, IL) with summer work in HQ for all LAS MAJORS (CEO is LAS alum) and in Chicago on March 19 (PepsiCo), and sign-ups are open now. **These are only open to LAS Undergrads, with a 15-person cap for each visit.
  • GREAT NEWS- Free Test Prep: Prepare For Illinois’ Future Powered by Kaplan’s All Access Program. Current Illinois students have free access to a large range of Kaplan’s test preparation classes. Whether you are planning a graduate or professional school, or looking to obtain a professional certification, you can take the next step in your career journey with the support of this program. Just use your NetID to log in to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign portal on Kaplan’s Illinois All Access site to get started. (* Funding for this opportunity is due to a specific State of Illinois appropriation in FY25.) Note: For teacher licensure exams, visit our ILTS Free Practice Tests page to learn about free vouchers and practice tests available in partnership with Pearson.
    • Other Events:
  • Leveraging LinkedIn for Networking, March 11th, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Arcade Building 715 South Wright Street
  • Keep Calm and Ask DadMarch 12th, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Campus Instructional Facility, 1405 W. Springfield, Room 3025 (food provided)
  • Finding an Internship March 26th, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm 715 South Wright Street

Help with Research

The Lost Books of Medieval England: March 11th at 5pm

Los Angeles Review of Books Publishing Workshop 

June 23 – July 25, 2025: Online 

ONLINE INFO SESSION MARCH 12, 5 p.m. PST

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

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. Speakers include N Rebecca Saletan (Riverhead), Christie Henry (Princeton University Press), Lori Dorr (The Paris Review) Katie Dublinski (Graywolf), Jamia Wilson (Penguin Random House), Gerald Maa (The Georgia Review), Adam Levi (Transit Books), among 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 PubLab 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 Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Bookends Literary Agency, Harvard University Press, Penguin-Random House, Harper’s Magazine, Stanford University Press, The Getty Research Institute, The PEN Faulkner Foundation, 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-based scholarships are available, in keeping with our mission of accessibility, and we regularly partner with colleges and universities to provide fellowships for their students to attend. The Publishing Workshop is conducted virtually 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: https://youtu.be/TXTV_5W-haY?si=ogx7GBoBKRu6r20A

LARB staff and recent alumni will hold info sessions with time for Q&A on  Wednesday, March 12 at 5 p.m. PST. Register here: https://larbpublishingworkshop.org/how-to-apply/info-sessions/ 

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

A Conversation with Darcie Little Badger

Wednesday, March 12, 7-8:30pm
Urbana Free Library, Lewis Auditorium
210 West Green Street, Urbana

Meet Lipan Apache author Darcie Little Badger as she discusses her novels Elatsoe and A Snake Falls to Earth and what inspires her. An audience Q&A and a book signing will follow the discussion.

Darcie Little Badger is a Lipan Apache writer with a PhD in oceanography. Her critically acclaimed debut novel, Elatsoe, was featured in Time Magazine as one of the best 100 fantasy books of all time. Elatsoe also won the Locus award for Best First Novel and is a Nebula, Ignyte, and Lodestar finalist. Her second fantasy novel, A Snake Falls to Earth, received a Nebula Award, an Ignyte Award, and a Newbery Honor and is on the National Book Awards longlist. It is a breathtaking work of Indigenous futurism. Darcie draws on traditional Lipan Apache storytelling structure to weave another unforgettable tale of monsters, magic, and family.

Her third book, Sheine Lende, is the prequel to Elatsoe, which is centered on Ellie’s grandmother, deepens and expands Darcie’s one-of-a-kind world, and introduces us to another cast of characters who will wend their way around readers’ hearts.

Darcie is an Earth scientist, writer, and fan of the weird, beautiful, and haunting; she is married to a veterinarian named Taran.

This event is supported by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Native American House and generously sponsored by The Urbana Free Library Foundation.

Junior Quinn Award 2025


The Junior Quinn Award recognizes achievement and potential in Creative Writing MAJORS or minors with junior class standing by awarding one or more recipients with financial support to attend a writing workshop or conference. This year’s prize will be issued as a flat $1000.
We recognize that it is not always easy to determine eligibility. If you are not technically a Junior this academic year but plan to graduate no earlier than December 2025 and no later than December 2026, you may be eligible. If you have any questions about your eligibility, check with our wonderful Undergraduate Advisors at englishadvising@illinois.edu. You may apply for the Junior Quinn only once. If you have eligibility questions, email John Dudek, Associate Director of Creative Writing, at jdudek4@illinois.edu. If you are eligible, we want to see a sample of your unpublished prose OR poetry:

Prose submissions can be either fiction or creative nonfiction. Limit your submission to 1-2 pieces, no more than 15 pages total.

Poetry submissions should contain 3-5 poems, no more than 7 pages total.
The first page of your submission (not included in page count) should be a statement of purpose explaining how attending a writing conference or other professional development opportunity would impact your writing. This statement should be no more than 250 words.

A few conferences you might consider are listed below. Though feel free to find other opportunities that interest you more!

AWP Conference: https://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/registration_overview
Juniper Summer Writing Institute: https://juniperinstitute.umasscreate.net/schedule/
Kenyon Review Writers’ Workshop: https://kenyonreview.org/adult-writers/
Port Townsend Writer’s Conference: https://centrum.org/the-port-townsend-writers-conference/
Indiana University’s Writing Conference: https://iuwc.indiana.edu/


Submit your statement of purpose and creative work in one file (.docx only) to John Dudek at jdudek4@illinois.edu by noon, March 20. To make sure your submission does not get lost, the subject line of the email should be ALL CAPS and either JUNIOR QUINN POETRY or JUNIOR QUINN PROSE. The body of this email should include: Your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and UIN.

Image of Research Competition–Submit by 3/25

Spring break employer site visits in Chicagoland for LAS students

Spaces are limited, so students should sign up on Handshake as soon as possible if they want to take part!

  • Students are welcome to join us for either one or both.
  • Dress for both of these events is business casual (collared or otherwise office-appropriate tops, no jeans or sweats).
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the sites.

Pepsico

433 Van Buren St.(Old Post Office), Chicago, IL 60607

March 19, 10am – 1:30

Register here: (28) LAS PepsiCo Employer Visit — Chicago | Handshake

Pepsico is particularly interested in meeting sophomore and junior LAS students who want to learn more about roles in sales and supply chain. This is a terrific early-bird opportunity for students who will be applying for internships and jobs next fall. Students who aren’t sure how sales or supply chain jobs connect to their major or their life goals are particularly encouraged to attend, as Pepsico is looking for curious, motivated students with strong teamwork and communication skills to fill these professional roles.

The day’s itinerary includes an office tour and presentation, a networking lunch (provided by Pepsico), opportunities for Q&A, and a panel of UIUC alumni.

Feldco

6300 N. River Rd. Suite 600, Rosemont, IL
Register here: (28) LAS – Feldco Site Visit | Handshake

March 20, 10am – 2:15pm

The CEO of Feldco is an alumnus of LAS, and Feldco is eager to work with LAS student to connect their skills with the roles available at the headquarters for this rapidly growing home renewal company. Their recruiters have hosted a couple of events at the LAS Lisnek Hub this year and they are looking forward to giving LAS students first-hand exposure to what working at Feldco is like.

The day’s itinerary includes a presentation and tour, opportunities to network with staff and recruiters, lunch (provided by Feldco), and a panel conversation with UIUC alumni.  

Reach out to Kirstin Wilcox with any questions (kwilcox@illinois.edu)

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

Don’t Forget These!

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!

Certificate in Intercultural Competence

The Certificate in Intercultural Competence offers undergraduate students the chance to show future employers and potential graduate programs that they have the global and intercultural skills needed to succeed in and out of the classroom. Courses on the approved list for the Certificate include an introduction to the concept of intercultural competence, as well as elective courses that cover a wide variety of topics, from the study of ancient traditions to contemporary culture, the study of myths and fairy tales to modern literature, and more. Although the certificate will not appear on a student’s transcript, students completing the certificate should include this credential on a resume or application for advanced study.

To learn more, check out https://slcl.illinois.edu/graduate/intercultural-competence.

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

Yard Show: Black Life, Prairies, and Place Making In the Midwest.
Reading and performance featuring Janice N. Harrington and Chip McNeill
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 4:30

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.

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Important Information for our Graduating Seniors!

If you are graduating in May or August you are invited to participate in the English & Creative Writing Convocation in May.  Please read on to ensure that you know all about when, where, and how you can register for our ceremony and order regalia.  

Note: if you already participated in a graduation ceremony (in either May or December of 2024), you may disregard this message, but accept our congratulations and please keep in touch!

In addition to our departmental celebration, there is also the universitywide Commencement ceremony.  You are welcome to participate in either ceremony or both as you wish (graduation ceremonies are optional and have nothing to do with the technical certification of your degree).  If you plan to attend both, you must register for each one separately.  The English department’s ceremony is a ticketed event; each graduate may request tickets for up to five guests when they register, with the possibility of extras once we know how many are participating.  Further instructions about this process will be forthcoming via email. 

For more details and to access registration forms please consult the following sites:  

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

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

Please note that 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.  The deadline to order academic attire for the early order discounted rate is April 14.  Order by this date to get the best price and to have your regalia shipped to the US address of your choice. 

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.   

Spring Writing Contests

Deadline: Noon, Friday, February 28, 2025

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.
Only University of Illinois undergraduate students are eligible. 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, email, status (undergraduate), and 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 also include a brief note on your financial need and 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 Early April. Please direct any questions to John Dudek at jdudek4@illinois.edu.

First Gen Series: TODAY (FEB 14)

Upcoming Counseling Center workshops in the Library

LAS Career Event

  • Career Lab: Internships. February 18 at 12:30-2:30 in 105 Greg. Prepare to find and apply for summer internships at this interactive workshop. Get help clarifying your search, finding opportunities that fit your interests, and preparing effective application materials. Learn how the Illini Career and Internship Fair (Feb. 27!) can help you find opportunities and get your resume reviewed. Bring your laptop! We will provide a light lunch for those who attend. Register in Handshake. 

Samvid Scholarship Information Session

Food For Thought | John Levi Barnard and Lindsay Rose Russell

Submit to Montage (NEW DEADLINE Feb 28)

Montage publishes work by undergraduate students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is now accepting submissions through February 28, 2025.

See this page for more details or email montagejournal@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

Undergraduate Research Opportunity–Deadline to apply March 1

Certificate in Intercultural Competence

The Certificate in Intercultural Competence offers undergraduate students the chance to show future employers and potential graduate programs that they have the global and intercultural skills needed to succeed in and out of the classroom. Courses on the approved list for the Certificate include an introduction to the concept of intercultural competence, as well as elective courses that cover a wide variety of topics, from the study of ancient traditions to contemporary culture, the study of myths and fairy tales to modern literature, and more. Although the certificate will not appear on a student’s transcript, students completing the certificate should include this credential on a resume or application for advanced study.

To learn more, check out https://slcl.illinois.edu/graduate/intercultural-competence.

Job Opportunities (one with upcoming deadline!)

Orientation Leaders
New Student and Family Experiences is looking for undergraduate students to serve as Orientation Leaders to help us welcome our Fall 2025 new students!  The position description and LINK TO APPLY: here on our website.  

——————–

Career Services Paraprofessionals
Looking for a part time job? Interested in developing your skills in resume and cover letter writing? Look no further than here! The Career Center is hiring UNDERGRADUATE students for Fall 2025 (Deadline is Sun, Feb 16)

  • Flexible work with 6-8 hours per week both in person and online 
  • $15/ hour 
  • MUST be a full-time undergraduate student 

Apply Here: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1182848651

——————–

Peer Advisors
The Division of General Studies (soon to be Exploratory Studies) is hiring Summer Peer Advisors! This is a great opportunity for undergraduate students looking to develop their leadership, communication, and mentorship skills while supporting incoming students during New Student Registration (NSR).

Applicants must be in good academic standing and available for training in May after final exams and to work during NSR in June–early July.

Students do not have to be former DGS students to apply, but an understanding of the ICT process is beneficial. More details, including the application link, can be found here: Summer Peer Advisor Information.

Applications are due Friday, March 7 at 5pm.

Networking Opportunity

This annual program, formerly known as Imprint, now know as Networking and Personal Brand Development-Featuring Illinois Alumni Coaches, is returning for 2025. We have invited back approximately 20 Illinois Alumni ranging from nearly every academic college background and a diverse set of graduating classes ranging from the 70’s to 2017!

Purpose
This event is designed for students to meet alumni who are established in their careers and share valuable insights into networking and creating opportunities to land students their first internships or post-graduation positions. Students will be given deliberate free time throughout the program to meet and network with any specific alumni they would like to.

When is it?
The event runs from 10 am to 4 pm on March 1st and will be held in the Campus Instructional Facility (CIF), room 035. Sign up here: https://cglink.me/2sM/r381413 

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!

Call for Submissions

The Madison Journal of Literary Criticism, an undergraduate-run literary magazine based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is now accepting submissions for the MJLC’s Spring 2025 edition Care.

The deadline for written submissions is March 3rd at 11:59pm and for artwork it’s March 7th at 11:59pm. More information on the theme and submissions process can be found below and on our website. Any questions can be directed to the MJLC staff at mjlc@rso.wisc.edu.

Don’t Forget These!

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.

Kaplan Family Writer in Residence: Jonas Hassen Khemiri
Thursday, March 6, 2025 | 4:30

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

Yard Show: Black Life, Prairies, and Place Making In the Midwest.
Reading and performance featuring Janice N. Harrington and Chip McNeill
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 4:30

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

Gilman Scholarship

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.

The national deadline is March 6, 2025.

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

Voyager Scholarship

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). 

Deadline 
The priority campus deadline is February 27, 2025, at 12:00pm (noon). 
The final submittal deadline is in March 2025 (exact date TBA). 

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

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.

Undergraduate Research Symposium

The URS is the signature event of Undergraduate Research Week (April 20 – 26), which brings together students, faculty, and staff from all disciplines on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, as well as the public, to learn more about undergraduate research and its potential to change the world. Throughout the day, students will present their oral and poster presentations, creative performances, and interactive exhibits to members of the campus and local community.

  • When: Thursday, April 24, 2025
  • Where: Illini Union (A, B, C, South Lounge, and the 2nd Floor)
  • Application Deadline: Friday, March 7, 2025 at 11:59 pm

Visit the URS webpage for more information, including answers to frequently asked questions.

Applications are currently being accepted. The deadline for applying to the URS is Friday, March 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm and no late submissions will be accepted. Please note, your presentation is not expected to be complete by the application deadline. On the application, you will only be asked to provide a tentative title that can be revised until March 19 and an abstract which will be used internally by OUR to create and organize thematic sessions. Your abstract will not be published or viewed by anyone other than OUR.

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.