Forde Steps Down as Head Coach of UIS Baseball
After two seasons at the helm of the Illinois Springfield baseball program, Trevor Forde has stepped down as head coach. Assistant Coach Chris Rodriguez will lead the program for the time being.
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Valerie Udemba '25
Valerie Udemba’s journey to earning her MBA at the University of Illinois Springfield is nothing short of inspiring. As an international student from Nigeria, she learned about different cultures and felt welcomed by the UIS community. This year, she’ll be using her voice as the student commencement speaker to represent and uplift the Class of 2025.
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Cristian Leon-Vallejo '25
Cristian Leon-Vallejo came to the University of Illinois Springfield as a first-generation student from a small Latino family - and now he’s leaving with a degree in communications and a legacy of leadership across campus. Congratulations, Cristian!
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Matt O'Shea '25
Matt O’Shea’s road to a communication degree from the University of Illinois Springfield wasn’t easy. He attended four schools, faced academic setbacks, went to rehab and built a family along the way. Today, he’s not just crossing the finish line—he’s proving it’s never too late to finish what you started.
2025 Library Undergraduate Research Award
We are thrilled to announce the 2025 Undergraduate Library Research Award winners, sponsored by Brookens Library and the Friends of Brookens Library. This award recognizes UIS undergraduate students whose academic work demonstrates exceptional information literacy skills and incorporates the use of Brookens Library’s collections and services.
After careful review and deliberation by our committee, we are pleased to present the following winners:
First Place: