Illinois
FirstWord: Fall 2022
As I embark on my second yr as Illinois State College president, I can’t assist however contemplate all that has modified and all we’ve got completed collectively over the previous yr. Within the aggressive larger training panorama, Illinois State is a pacesetter due to our willingness to innovate and construct on our successes.
This fall we welcomed 3,983 freshmen, the most important incoming class in 35 years. Not solely is that this new group of Redbirds a high-achieving one, with a median GPA of three.6, however it is without doubt one of the most numerous lessons in college historical past. Our whole enrollment stands at 20,683. Our Admissions and Enrollment Administration groups deserve recognition for the high-quality work in recruiting these proficient new college students, however our employees can be the primary to confess it’s a collaborative effort. One in each three freshmen is a Redbird legacy. So, thanks. By sharing our tales and experiences, we will all develop the Illinois State household by recruiting the following era of Redbirds.
Educational choices are increasing together with new and revitalized college areas. For instance, the Mennonite School of Nursing will quickly enhance its enrollment by 400 college students with the completion of an expanded Nursing Simulation Middle.
Your help of Illinois State is an engine that helps drive these successes. We simply
accomplished the third-best fundraising yr at school historical past. That help permits us to ship a Redbird training to deserving college students who could not in any other case select Illinois State. Alternatives made doable by you, our loyal donors, present college students the possibility to participate in modern analysis, artistic scholarship, and programming that serves society.
This situation of State demonstrates methods wherein Illinois State is innovating to greatest meet the wants of our college students. A function on esports at Illinois State showcases how Redbird Esports has shortly constructed a few of the high varsity groups within the nation whereas changing into one in all our fastest-growing pupil pursuits. One in each 20 college students is now a member of an esports registered pupil group, and the Artistic Applied sciences’ recreation design program is shortly changing into one in all our hottest majors. In case your notion of esports is Donkey Kong and Tremendous Mario Bros., this story will open your eyes.
We glance to the success of our alumni as one of many hallmarks of excellence for Illinois State. I invite you to learn the quilt function on Janelle Jones, M.A. ’10, the primary Black girl to function chief economist on the U.S. Division of Labor. Her modern method to tackling advanced financial issues by first contemplating the wants of underserved populations is really inspiring.
It’s an thrilling time at Illinois State College, a spot the place innovation occurs day by day.