College of Arts and Sciences

Accelerate Toward Degree Completion During SIUE’s Online Winter Session

20 October 2021, 2:10 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s online Winter Session offers convenient, high-quality opportunities for students to advance toward degree completion. The accelerated option features more than 80 three-week classes taught entirely online.

Registration opens Monday, Nov. 1, and classes begin Monday, Dec. 20. Details are available at siue.edu/winter-session.

 “Winter session supports SIUE’s student-centered mission, as our high-caliber faculty creatively develop and a...

SIUE Senior Assignment Provides Hearing Aids to St. Louisans

14 October 2021, 1:00 PM

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 48 million people in the United States have trouble hearing with at least one of their ears. Although hearing aids are the most common treatment for hearing loss, the small electronic devices are often costly, meaning many Americans go day-to-day with impaired hearing. 

Tackling this issue is Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Jacqueline Butler, an integrative studies major with focus areas in socio...

Sankofa Lecture Series Uncovers Truth About Africa’s Rich History

14 October 2021, 8:40 AM

Throughout history, the kingdoms of Africa fostered world centers of learning, wealth, art and technology. However, when Africa is covered in history courses throughout the United States, this rich history is often ignored with curriculum focused on the slave trade and colonialism. An upcoming Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Sankofa Lecture and Dialogue Series presentation will examine the true history of Africa and discuss the drastic misconceptions surrounding the continent.

The ongo...

SIUE Graduate School Presents 2021 Outstanding Thesis Award

12 October 2021, 4:20 PM

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Graduate School has honored George Diak with its 2021 Outstanding Thesis Award.

A Granite City native, Diak earned a master’s in history in December 2020. Having developed great interest in both history and German in high school, Diak was able to explore both at length while pursuing an advanced degree in the College of Arts and Sciences.

His thesis entitled, “Gorleben Soll Leben! German Anti-Nuclear Power and Waste Protest through Images...

SIUE Participates in the Emma L. Wilson King Foundation’s East St. Louis Family Fun Festival

11 October 2021, 2:21 PM

Hundreds of people gathered at the corners of 25th and State Streets in East St. Louis at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9. Some were in brightly colored uniforms, some were holding banners and signs, and all were in anticipation of the day as they paraded to Jones Park, where they spilled onto the grounds and enjoyed festivities that included rides, games, live entertainment, community interaction and fun. 

The Emma L. Wilson King Foundation hosted its first East St. Louis Family Fun Festival in the...

SIUE’s Hepner Describes Passion for Photography on Segue

8 October 2021, 8:45 AM [CAS News Story]

On this week’s episode of Segue, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s weekly radio program exploring the lives and work of the people on campus and beyond, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Kevin Leonard, PhD, interviews Abbey Hepner, assistant professor in the CAS Department of Art and Design and area head of photography.

This episode of Segue airs at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 10. Listeners can tune into WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound or siue.edu/wsie.

Hepner earned a bachelor’...

SIUE Secures $500K in NIFA Funding to Advance Data Science and Remote Sensing Training in Illinois

7 October 2021, 12:50 PM

As the food and agricultural sector, like many industries, becomes progressively more reliant on data and digital technologies, the development of a highly-trained data-savvy workforce is critical. To meet that need, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has received $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to advance data training resources available in Illinois through statewide collaborations.

The project, “Crossing ...

SIUE Graduate School Announces October Virtual Open House Events

29 September 2021, 4:40 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s nationally-recognized Graduate School will host a series of virtual Open House events throughout October for individuals interested in continuing their education at the University. Attendees who apply for an eligible program will receive a $40 application fee waiver.

SIUE’s premier Graduate School offers more than 150 master’s programs, post-baccalaureate certificates, specialist degrees, doctoral degrees and cooperative doctoral prog...

SIUE Arts & Issues Opens Season Oct. 1 with Adlerian Psychologist Bluvshtein

24 September 2021, 12:55 PM

Marina Bluvshtein, PhD, director of the Center for Adlerian Practice and Scholarship at Adler University in Chicago, is the recipient of the 2021 Dr. Rudolf Dreikurs Visiting Scholar Fellowship at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

She will deliver a free public lecture entitled “Belongingness as a Goal of Personality Development and Social Evolution” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1 in the Dunham Hall Theater on the Edwardsville campus. This event will open the 2021 season of Art...

Segue: Bluvshtein Discusses Adlerian Psychology Ahead of Oct. 1 Arts & Issues Lecture

24 September 2021, 8:45 AM [CAS News Story]

On this week’s episode of Segue, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s weekly radio program exploring the lives and work of the people on campus and beyond, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Kevin Leonard, PhD, interviews Marina Bluvshtein, PhD, director of the Center for Adlerian Practice and Scholarship at Adler University in Chicago.

This episode of Segue airs at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26. Listeners can tune into WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound or siue.edu/wsie.

Bluvshtein ear...

SIUE University Museum Awarded $153K Museums for America Grant

23 September 2021, 4:05 PM

The University Museum at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville was awarded a two-year $153,459 grant by the Institute of Museum and Library Services as part of their Museums for America program.

With the funding from this award, the Museum will improve its collections stewardship by implementing the second stage of the Museum Collections Inventory Project, during which museum staff, graduate assistants and grant funded research assistants will inventory approximately 10,000 objects fro...

Indigenous Knowledge & Sustainability Virtual Conference to Advance Research and Education, Oct. 6-10

21 September 2021, 10:15 AM

A series of virtual events featuring nationally-recognized Native American scholars will advance research and education in indigenous knowledge and sustainability in the region during the upcoming collaborative conference, “Indigenous Knowledge & Sustainability – Food,” being held Wednesday-Sunday, Oct. 6-10.

The conference is sponsored by programs at multiple regional institutions, including SIUE’s Native American Studies Program, Center for Spirituality & Sustainability...

SIUE Successful Communities Collaborative Helps Revitalize Venice, Brooklyn and Madison Townships

20 September 2021, 8:45 AM

The problems are longstanding, but the mission is clear. The current situation is bleak, but the commitment to the future is hopeful. The resources are threadbare, but the partnerships are secure. After decades of historical disinvestment and systematic disparities, the Illinois communities of Venice, Brooklyn and Madison (VBM) are targeted to be the recipients of community and economic development, thanks in part to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Successful Communities Collaborat...

Alumna Featured in STL Post-Dispatch for Giving Back through Business Success

10 September 2021, 10:25 AM

SIUE alumna Cait Burling was featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for the success of her company Clay by Cait, which she started in March 2020. She creates handmade, polymer clay accessories, and donates a portion of her profits to The Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition, an organization that provides support for children in need in the St. Louis area.

Burling earned a bachelor’s in mass communications from the College of Arts and Sciences in 2016. Read more about her story and her busin...

Martinez Discusses Passion for Environmental Science and Geography on SEGUE

10 September 2021, 8:45 AM [CAS News Story]

On this week’s episode of Segue, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s weekly radio program exploring the lives and work of the people on campus and beyond, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Kevin Leonard, PhD, interviews Adriana Martinez, PhD, associate professor in the Departments of Geography and Geographic Information Sciences, and Environmental Sciences.

This episode of Segue airs at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12. Listeners can tune into WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound or siue....

African American Literary Studies at SIUE Outpaces English Departments Nationwide

9 September 2021, 2:07 PM

The African American Literary Studies (AALS) unit within the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of English Language and Literature has expanded its group of professors with expertise in Black literature and literary history. 

AALS currently offers approximately 15 African American-related courses and provides more classes on Black subject matter than almost any other English department in the country, according to Howard Rambsy II, PhD, Engli...

SIUE Achieves Historic Graduate Enrollment, Largest Fall First-Year Class in Six Years

8 September 2021, 1:30 PM

Landmark graduate enrollment, the largest first-year class in six years, increasing diversity and growing international attendance highlight Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s strong fall 2021 enrollment picture. 

SIUE’s overall enrollment grew 1.2% (150 students) to 13,010 for fall 2021. The University welcomed 1,992 first-year students in fall 2021. Master’s and doctoral degree program enrollment reached 3,043 students, the largest total in 44 years. Plus, internatio...

SIUE Alumnus and Cyclist Seggebruch Featured in St. Louis Post-Dispatch

3 September 2021, 1:05 PM

SIUE alumnus Spencer Seggebruch was featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for his upcoming participation in the Gateway Cup, a series of four cycling races through four neighborhoods in St. Louis.

In 2013, Seggebruch earned a bachelor’s in math from the College of Arts and Sciences and a bachelor’s in business administration from the School of Business.

After a knee injury ended a lifetime of playing hockey, Seggebruch decided to take up cycling. Ten years later, he won a national ...

SIUE’s The Hub Provides Special Welcome for Students – Times Four

3 September 2021, 9:39 AM

Students were treated to good food, enthusiastic energy, V.I.P guests and more during this week’s Student Welcome Receptions at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. 

A time of celebration and fanfare, hosted by the Inclusive Excellence, Education and Development (The Hub), greeted the following students: Hispanic/Latinx on Monday, Aug. 30; LGBTQIA+ on Tuesday, Aug. 31; Black on Wednesday, Sept. 1 and AAPI on Thursday, Sept. 2. 

“The Student Welcome Receptions are designed to we...

SIUE’s Stacy Publishes Book Highlighting Poetry and History Connections

2 September 2021, 2:15 PM

Poetry seemingly spoken by the dead sparked interest in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Jason Stacy, PhD, professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of History. Stacy recently published his fourth book, entitled Spoon River America: Edgar Lee Masters and the Myth of the American Small Town.

“As part of this story, I tell the history of Edgar Lee Masters’ book Spoon River Anthology (1915), which was a collection of poetic epitaphs set in a fictio...

SIUE’s Weeraratne Explains U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan in Intelligencer Feature

2 September 2021, 8:55 AM

SIUE’s Suranjan Weeraratne, PhD, associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Political Science, contributed to an article in the Edwardsville Intelligencer detailing the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Throughout the article, posted Wednesday, Sept. 1, Weeraratne explains what this withdrawal could mean for both Afghanistan and the U.S. Read his thoughts here.

New SIUE Police Officers Bring Experience from Metro East Area

31 August 2021, 1:25 PM

To continue to provide a safe and secure campus environment, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Police Department has added four officers to its squad. The new members of the force bring prior experience as police officers and 911 dispatchers from the Metro East area. 

The officers were sworn in Friday, Aug. 20 by SIUE Chief of Police Kevin Schmoll. Chancellor Randy Pembrook and Vice Chancellor for Administration Morris Taylor also participated in the ceremony.

The new officers are:

SIUE Graduate School Presents 2021 Research Grants to Doctoral Students

30 August 2021, 3:30 PM

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Graduate School has selected 12 recipients for 2021 Research Grants for Research Doctoral Students (RGRDS) awards.

The RGRDS program awards grants up to $1,000 on a competitive basis to support research/projects initiated and conducted by students of the SIUE education doctorate (EdD) programs, doctor of nursing practice (DNP) programs and co-operative PhD programs to enhance their academic progress. Although faculty advisors oversee the research, th...

Gorislavsky Discusses Criminal Justice Research

27 August 2021, 8:45 AM [CAS News Story]

On this week’s episode of Segue, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s weekly radio program exploring the lives and work of the people on campus and beyond, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Kevin Leonard, PhD, interviews Ekaterina Gorislavsky, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice Studies.

This episode of Segue airs at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 29. Listeners can tune into WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound or siue.edu/wsie.

Before joining the SIUE faculty in fa...

SIUE’s Lewis Contributes to Upcoming Book on Racism in American Universities

25 August 2021, 8:43 AM

The first identifiable racist incident occurred four years ago, dressed in high-handed privilege and self-assured bias, and matter-of-factly spoken with cool, calm and ease. 

“A departmental colleague informed me that my hire was solely because of my race,” said Timothy E. Lewis, PhD, assistant professor in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Political Science since 2017. Lewis is one of many Black scholars nationwide selected to discuss racism in higher educa...

Segue Celebrates 500th Episode

20 August 2021, 8:45 AM [CAS News Story]

On this week’s episode of Segue, SIUE’s weekly radio program exploring the lives and work of the people on campus and beyond, WSIE celebrates the show’s 500th episode with a 50-minute broadcast. Throughout the show, Chancellor Randy Pembrook and College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Kevin Leonard interview a variety of guests integral to Segue's lasting success.

This episode of Segue airs at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 22. Listeners can tune in to WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound or siue.ed...

Jason Stacy Bridges the Gap Between History and Literature on SEGUE

13 August 2021, 8:45 AM [CAS News Story]

On this week’s episode of Segue, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s weekly radio program exploring the lives and work of the people on campus and beyond, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Kevin Leonard, PhD, interviews Jason Stacy, PhD, professor in the Department of History.

This episode of Segue airs at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 15. Listeners can tune into WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound or siue.edu/wsie.

After earning a bachelor’s and master’s in history from SIU C...

SIUE Chemistry Professor to Contribute on $1.6M DOE Funded Project

11 August 2021, 8:20 AM

Through a project led by The Ohio State University College of Engineering, Jie Dong, PhD, an assistant professor at the Department of Chemistry at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and director of fermentation at the NCERC at SIUE, is part of a team of researchers who received a $1.6 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to produced advanced biofuel. The funding will be used to develop engineered microbial consort...

SIUE’s TRHT Helps Expose the Good about East St. Louis City and Residents

11 August 2021, 8:12 AM

Against the backdrop of a misunderstood and miscalculated public image and steady, salacious media coverage, is a city that boasts talented and hard-working residents, strong community ties, and a way of life that is full of grit, creativity and enjoyment. 

This positive, encouraging and largely unrecognized truth is becoming known thanks to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Campus Center. TRHT has completed the first installment ...

SIUE’s Jack and Alexander to Lead Voting Rights Panel, Aug. 11

5 August 2021, 2:00 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences’ Bryan Jack, PhD, and Erik B. Alexander, PhD, associate professors in the Department of History, will be hosting a panel discussion entitled, “Changing Voting Rights in America,” at 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 11.

The event will be held in the Madison County Administration Building’s County Board Room. Moderators Jack and Alexander will lead a lively discussion on voting rights using specific examples in ...

SIUE Announces Political Science and MPA Accelerated Combined Degree Option

4 August 2021, 4:40 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s College of Arts and Sciences has announced a new accelerated combined degree option within the Departments of Political Science and Public Administration and Policy Analysis allowing students to earn both a bachelor’s in political science and a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) in just five academic years.

The partnership will create access for a wider array of students as well as allow them to save money on the cost of their education...

Family of SIUE Alumnus Michael Yancey Creates Scholarship in his Name

3 August 2021, 1:27 PM

A passion of Michael E. Yancey, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences alumnus, which was to support and encourage young people, will continue. This legacy is being made possible because of his family’s contribution of $25,000 to establish the Michael E. Yancey Sphinx-man Scholarship, a diversity-focused endowment. 

In memory and honor of Michael, the fund will award an annual $1,000 scholarship to a sophomore with preferences given to Black and Native Ameri...

SIUE’s Public Administration Expert Huyck Visits SEGUE

22 July 2021, 8:45 AM [CAS News Story]

On this week’s episode of Segue, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s weekly radio program exploring the lives and work of the people on campus and beyond, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Kevin Leonard, PhD, interviews Nancy Huyck, DPA, associate professor and chair of the Department of Public Administration and Policy Analysis.

This episode of Segue airs at 9 a.m. on Sunday, July 25. Listeners can tune into WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound or siue.edu/wsie.

An SIUE alumna, Huyc...

National Excursions Inspire SIUE Geoscholars, Highlight Summer

20 July 2021, 8:50 AM

What has been the highlight of your summer? For seven Southern Illinois University Edwardsville scholars it was a 3,500-mile trek across parts of the U.S. to chase storms and visit interesting natural features.

The scholars are part of the collaborative GEOPATHS program, funded by the National Science Foundation. The program engages undergraduates in geoscience-related research opportunities.  

“The GEOPATHs program as a whole has been one amazing, career-empowering experience after anothe...