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May 7: Last Day of Classes
May 8: Reading Day
If you are thinking of petitioning to late drop a course, note that you need to do that before the end of the day on May 7. Now is the time to take stock and consider what is reasonable to expect of yourself by the end of the semester, and if you do want to submit a late drop petition you will need to consult a college advisor (see LAS Student Academic Affairs).
Illinois Neurodiversity Initiative
The Illinois Neurodiversity Initiative (INI) is now receiving applications for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. INI offers support for academic achievement, social connection, mental health, and employment readiness and opportunities. We are also offering a short-term study abroad program in January 2026 to Rovereto, Italy. If you identify with being neurodivergent and want to find out more, contact ini@illinois.edu. Applications can be found on the website and are due before May 1.
Careers in Government

The State of Illinois offers a wide range of meaningful careers that make a difference—many in communities across the state, not just in Springfield. This interactive event is designed for soon-to-be graduates seeking full-time positions, as well as students of all class levels who are curious about public service as a long-term career path.
Meet with recruitment and career counseling team from the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) to learn how to navigate the application process, get tips during a resume and application workshop, and receive personalized feedback to help you stand out.
Morning Session (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)
- 10:00 am – 10:40 am — Drop-in Q&A with CMS Team (career advising, application procedures, and more)
- 10:40 am – 11:20 am — Resume and application workshop
- 11:20 am – 12:00 pm — Drop-in resume reviews
Afternoon Session (1:30 pm – 3:30 pm)
- 1:30 pm – 2:10 pm — Drop-in Q&A with CMS Team (career advising, application procedures, and more)
- 2:10 pm – 2:50 pm — Resume and application workshop
- 2:50 pm – 3:30 pm — Drop-in resume reviews
Registration is recommended but not required:
https://illinois.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1743644
Pre-Law? Check Out These Pop-Ups—Last Session 4/29

Speaking of Law . . .
AIS/ENG 459: “Stories Are Law”: The Legal Reasonings of Indigenous Literatures
This course examines what Indigenous literatures—from creation stories and legal memorials to poems, podcasts, and novels—reveal about Indigenous legal frameworks and ways of ordering the world. Where Euro-American law has long cast Indigenous/Native American people as lawless, this course reveals the historical importance and ongoing significance of Indigenous legal reasoning and forms of governance, law, and order. The course also delves into how Native authors and legal scholars have responded to and analyzed US law. As Heidi Stark (Turtle Mountain Ojibwe) puts it, Indigenous writings “dispel the sanctity of law, demonstrating that law is a set of stories.” We will approach law as story and story as law by studying literature from multiple tribal-national contexts and historical time periods.
Readings will include:
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Peacemaker Epic and Great Law of Peace (14th century)
- William Apess (Pequot), Indian Nullification of the Unconstitutional Laws of Massachusetts (1835)
- D’Arcy McNickle (Salish), The Surrounded (1936)
- Louise Erdrich (Ojibwe), The Round House (2012)
- Layli Long Soldier (Oglala Lakota), Whereas (2017)
- Rebecca Nagle (Cherokee), “This Land” podcast (2021)
Another Great Fall Course!
This course satisfies the “Difference & Diaspora” requirement for English and Creative Writing majors.

Book Launch at The Literary
Featuring The Time-Jinx Twins by UIUC alum Carol Fisher Saller, a middle-grade time-travel novel set largely on the UIUC campus. Primarily an adventure and sibling-relationship story, along the way it celebrates physics, technology, invention, women in science, logical thinking, and information science. Kirkus Reviews calls it “an endearing and engaging middle-grade adventure.” Publisher’s Weekly Booklife calls it “clever, captivating time travel.” (Ages 8-12)
The Literary Bookbar
Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
122 N Neil St., Champaign IL, 61820

Help from the Writers Workshop


First-Gen Event

Resources to Combat Stress–Last Session Coming Up 5/1

Auditions for Fall Theater

Learn About Fulbright Scholarship Opportunities
Interested in research, teaching, or graduate study abroad? The Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards 2,000 scholarships annually for students to conduct research, teach English, or pursue graduate study in 140 countries. Apply to be a 2026 awardee!
Eligibility
Current juniors, seniors, and recent alumni in all academic disciplines, who are U.S. citizens, are eligible to apply.
Application Preparation
If you are interested in applying, please attend our information sessions:
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Workshops:
In Person – Friday, April 25, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – IUB Rm. 514
Fulbright Research & Graduate Study Workshops:
In Person – Thursday, May 1, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – IUB Rm. 514
Online – Friday, May 2, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Register HERE
Don’t Forget These!
Curious about Careers in HR?
The School of Labor & Employment Relations will be offering LER 199: Introduction to Human Resources again this Fall 2025 semester. During this pilot year, the course has received positive student feedback and high engagement with the material. The course helps students explore the various functions of Human Resources and how HR professionals lead people within an organization. The course is interactive and will include around 3-4 HR professionals to speak on their experiences and how the topics apply to their everyday work. If you’re interested, check out LER 199, Section HR in Course Explorer!
Summer Courses
If you’re looking for a summer course to satisfy a requirement in English or creative writing, check these out!
CW 100: Intro to Creative Writing
ENGL 117: Shakespeare on Film
ENGL 206: Enlightenment Lit & Culture
ENGL 360: Environmental Writing
ENGL 378: Fairy Tales and Gender Formation

Chancellor’s Senior Survey
All students graduating in May 2025 are invited to take the Chancellor’s Senior Survey, which prompts students to reflect on their Illinois experience by answering questions about participation in activities and services, perceived gains in abilities linked to the Illinois (campus-wide) student learning outcomes, campus climate, disability support services, attributions of success, barriers to success, and overall satisfaction with the Illinois experience.
New Certificate Programs
There are two new certificate programs you might be interested in, one in Business & Technical Writing, and one in Interactive & Immersive Storytelling. Check them both out to see if you might be interested.
Summer Language Learning

• June 16th – August 8th, 2025 •
Session includes
• 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!
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.
