Office of the Chancellor
Office of Public Engagement
Office of Public Engagement Supported Student Engagement
The Policy and Research Legislative Fellowship is a new, non-partisan initiative, supported by the Office of Public Engagement and administered by the Center for Social & Behavioral Science (CSBS) that matches graduate students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a state legislator representing Champaign-Urbana or a neighboring district to collaborate on a policy research project that can inform public policy to help make Illinois a better place to live.
WeCU empowers students to make a positive impact in the community while building their resume and enriching their university experience. We CU honors students for their community-based work and provides them with training, connection to like-minded peers, access to service opportunities with partner organizations, and support from We CU program leaders.
We CU is supported by the University of Illinois Office of Public Engagement, College of Education, Humanities Research Institute, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute, School of Social Work, and University of Illinois Alumni Association.
The iExplore Illinois Summer Program is designed to welcome Champaign-Urbana K-12 students, staff,
mentors, and families to tour facilities and engage in activities with various Illinois units. Public
Engagement partnered with multiple destinations to give youth in our community an opportunity to
explore and have a behind-the-scenes look at the research, education, and activities taking place at the
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Campus partners include Illinois Library, Abbott Power Plant,
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Krannert Art Museum, Institute of Genomic Biology, Siebel
Center for Design, College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Illini Union to name a few.
An overview of summer 2022 can be found here.
For more details on the summer 2023 program, click here.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign MSI Alliance was stood up to increase the number of
underrepresented students pursuing and obtaining doctoral degrees with the aim of increasing the
number of diverse faculty and researchers in all areas of study. An increase of students and faculty from
diverse populations will also increase social justice within higher education thus providing financial
equity. Students from member MSIs, that are interested in pursuing graduate degrees are encouraged
to participate in the Alliance educational, research, and networking programs.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign MSI Alliance aims to provide resources and support to MSI
student as they transition from undergraduate to graduate studies across disciplines. Through listening
sessions with MSI students, we have learned the importance of building community by networking with
other students that “look like me”. Illinois students can make an impact by acting as a peer mentor to an
MSI student. Becoming a student mentor is mutually beneficial in that the value for the mentor includes,
becoming a leader, shaping leaders of tomorrow, changing someone’s world, and gaining a new
perspective.
With Illini GivePulse, university students can enrich the lives of people here on campus, in C-U, the
surrounding areas, and beyond as they search for volunteer opportunities by date, group or cause. Illini
GivePulse is an online platform where students can find events or activities to get involved with and
track their impacts Whether a student is seeking public service through an RSO, course, Greek House, or
their own enrichment, there are countless ways to serve on campus and in the greater community.
Do you want to volunteer for a cause you feel strongly about? Sign up at Illini GivePulse!
Other Ways to Get Involved
Civic Life provides support, resources, and professional development to student organizations with a service mission; prepares students to serve WITH communities through using humble practices and sustainable partnerships; directs students to service-learning opportunities that supports the outcomes of co-curricular education; creates and maintains local, national, and global partnerships with organizations that value student development and transformational learning; and implements programs that coincide with the university’s strategy to boost student affinity for global and civic awareness.
