What began as an SIUE School of Pharmacy (SOP) independent study course for four second-year professional (P2) students during the spring semester became something far greater than they expected. The Rxcellence in the Sciences course was designed to give students an opportunity to strengthen their foundational knowledge of pharmacy and disease-state topics while becoming the “expert” on their assigned content. Students Grace Hunt, Katie Pluff, Payton Koester and Peyton Philis then put that knowl...
Current News
A Classroom to Community Summer Achievement: SIUE Pharmacy Students Take Rxcellence in Science to the Next Generation
September 16, 2026, 1:13 PM
COUGARFEST to Light Up SIUE Homecoming Weekend with Route 66-Themed Drone Show
September 15, 2026, 5:05 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will kick off its 2026 Homecoming & Family Weekend with COUGARFEST: Rock the Quad!, featuring a new Route 66-themed drone show—a first for the City of Edwardsville. COUGARFEST will take place from 7-10 p.m. on Friday, September 25 on the Stratton Quad.
The free outdoor festival will include live music from Jackson & Mars, food trucks, lawn games, and family-friendly activities. The evening highlight will be a drone show featuring more than 450 illumi...
SIUE Faculty and Staff Give Neighborly Welcome to New Residents
September 15, 2026, 3:18 PM
On Tuesday, September 8, faculty and staff members from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville visited first year residents in Bluff, Prairie, Woodland Halls and Cougar Village Apartments during the annual House Calls event. House Calls is designed to engage first year students in conversation with faculty and staff early in their transition to campus. This program provides the opportunity for residents to meet with campus personnel, while also getting connected to potential resources and pro...
Freshman Georgia Bresnahan Earns OVC Rookie of the Week Honors
September 15, 2026, 12:00 AM
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – SIUE volleyball's Georgia Bresnahan (Westfield, Ind.) has been named Ohio Valley Conference Co-Rookie of the Week following an impressive weekend at home in the Cougar Classic.
Bresnahan helped lead the Cougars offensively to a pair of sweep victories Friday, recording 11 kills and five digs in the win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, before adding 10 kills and five digs in the three-set victory over Chicago State later that same night.
She then closed out the Cougar Classic with ...
SIUE Voices from WWT Raceway!
September 14, 2026, 5:30 PM

More than 1400 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students and alumni filled a turn of the World Wide Technology Racetrack during the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 13. The race lasted about four hours. Plenty of time for Cougars to share their excitement about the experience.
Liberty Ishum, a freshman majoring in anthropology, shared her first-time experience attending a racing event. “I’ve never been to a race before, but I watch Formula One so...
SIUE Business Insights: Cassandra Collier, PhD
September 14, 2026, 4:08 PM
SIUE CMIS-Informed Perspective on AI as a Disruption to the Data Analytics Field
This monthly series highlights SIUE School of Business faculty whose research and expertise help organizations, industries and communities better understand today’s business challenges.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has begun to expand rapidly and disrupt many industries. The field of data analytics is no exception as employers must predict how AI will change the work of data analysts. Cassandra Collier, PhD, assista...
Two Metro East SBDC Clients Secure Competitive Illinois Grants to Invest in Business and Community Growth
September 14, 2026, 12:19 PM
Bond County Realtors and Zayn’s Haven among forty-seven Illinois small businesses selected for the Illinois DCEO OE3 Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program
Two clients of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are turning competitive state grant awards into tangible investments in their businesses and communities.
Bond County Realtors LLC in Greenville and Zayn’s Haven LLC in East St. Louis were sel...
As Seen On Socials: SIUE Welcome Weekend 2026
September 11, 2026, 2:00 PM
SIUE welcomed a record number of new Cougars to campus this month, kicking off the 2026-2027 academic year with Welcome Weekend, Aug. 21-23.
From New Student Convocation and the traditional parade to the Cougar Statue, to Cougars in the Community service projects, a silent disco under the lights, and the volleyball team's exhibition match, new and returning students packed campus with energy from morning to night. Highlights from the weekend are already lighting up SIUE's social media feeds....
Pauly, Koupepides Earn OVC Weekly Awards
September 9, 2026, 1:55 PM
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – SIUE men's soccer's Bobby Pauly and Ioannis Koupepides have been selected as the Defender and Goalkeeper of the Week, respectively in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Both helped to lead SIUE to a 1-0 win over rival Saint Louis Sunday, bringing the Bronze Boot trophy back to Edwardsville.
Pauly, a senior from St. Charles, Missouri, played all 90 minutes, helping SIUE to its first win of the season and the first shutout of the year. It was Pauly's pass into the box that set up the...
SIUE Sets Record with Fall Enrollment; Incoming Class Represents 26.4% Increase Above Previous Year
September 8, 2026, 5:00 AM

Record enrollment is fueling a historic fall semester at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, led by the largest incoming class in University history and driving overall enrollment to its highest level in more than a decade. Just a few short weeks into the semester, this new class is exploring all that SIUE has to offer, adding vibrancy to the campus and community.
SIUE welcomed 2,323 first-time, first-year students for fall 2026, surpassing the previous University record of 2,126 set i...
Cougars Reclaim Bronze Boot with Shutout of Billikens
September 8, 2026, 12:00 AM
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The Bronze Boot is back in Edwardsville after Ryley Gibbs' header in the 37th minute lifted SIUE men's soccer to a 1-0 win over rival Saint Louis Sunday at Korte Stadium.
The Cougars (1-3) grabbed the win in front of a home-opener crowd of 1,947 and laid claim to the Joseph Carenza, Sr. trophy for the third time in four years. It is the best stretch for the Cougars in the series since winning three straight meetings in 1978-79.
Saint Louis slipped to 2-2-1 with the defe...
More than One Thousand Cougars Head to WWT Raceway for NASCAR Cup Series Weekend
September 4, 2026, 1:38 PM
More than one thousand Cougars will fill the stands at the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students and alumni will join race fans for an exciting, televised NASCAR race, while the University’s School of Engineering (SOE), STEM Center, Alumni Association and enrollment team greet visitors on the Raceway’s STEM Lane. SIUE is a sponsor of the Infield Main Stage presenting music artists Dasha and Old Dominion set to headline the post-race Conflue...
Clinton County Sportsplex to Expand Youth Sports Opportunities and Economic Growth in Aviston; Founders Continue Business Development Partnership with Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE
September 3, 2026, 1:18 PM
New indoor sports facility will provide year-round training space while strengthening recreation and regional development
A new indoor sports facility is set to bring expanded athletic opportunities and year-round training space to Clinton County. Clinton County Sportsplex, founded by Melinda and Ryan Voss, is designed to meet the growing demand for indoor sports facilities while supporting youth athletics, local families, and economic development throughout the region.
Located in Aviston, th...
SIUE’s Jerrica Ampadu Selected for American Academy of Nursing Class of Fellows
September 2, 2026, 5:30 PM
Jerrica V. Ampadu, PhD, RN, FADLN, associate professor and assistant dean for community engagement and academic innovation in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing, was standing in a North Carolina hotel lobby when she opened the email informing her that she was selected for induction into the American American Academy of Nursing’s 2026 Class of Fellows.
Ampadu had just wrapped up the second day of the Access, Connection and Engagement Symposium when her planning commi...
SIUE’s Education Doctorate Program Selected for Carnegie Project
September 1, 2026, 5:36 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is one of eighteen universities selected for the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). The growing consortium of more than 165 colleges and universities is committed to advancing doctoral education for professional practice, according to CPED. SIUE's EdD program is specifically highlighted as qualifying the University for the esteemed member organization.
“We are honored to be included amongst these prestigious institutions who are seeking...
Scenes from SIUE’s East St. Louis Charter High School First Day of School; Applications for Enrollment Still Being Accepted
September 1, 2026, 8:59 AM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus rolled out the red carpet for the students’ first day of school Tuesday, August 11. Eddie the Cougar joined faculty, administrators, staff and well-wishers in front of Building D to welcome the students with breakfast, cheers and best wishes for a successful year.
For Freshman Keamonnie Ashford, this first day of high school is a meaningful one. “I feel good....
Semifinalists to “Pitch” Their Business on Monday, October 20 During 2026 SIUE Metro East Start-Up Challenge Mock Pitch Event
August 28, 2026, 4:48 PM
Twenty-Five Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of Metro East’s 13th annual business plan competition.
The Metro East Startup Challenge welcomes entrepreneurs and new businesses from a nine-county area of Southwestern Illinois with further expansion into Fayette, Montgomery and Macoupin counties. Nearly 50 entrepreneurs expressed interest in the regional competition this year, according to Jo Ann Di M...
Duda Named Chair of ASHRAE Publications Committee
August 28, 2026, 3:40 PM
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has appointed Stephen W. Duda, PE, from the Department of Construction at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering to serve as chair of its Publications Committee.
ASHRAE is an international organization of more than 50,000 professionals from over 132 nations. Duda’s one-year term began July 1 and continues through June 30, 2027.
The Tier I instructor is eager to share his knowledge wi...
CODES Celebrates Community Partners Who Turn Student Research into Action
August 27, 2026, 4:50 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Community-Oriented Digital Engagement Scholars (CODES) program welcomed partner organizations to its inaugural Community Partner Lunch on Aug. 21 in Peck Hall.
The lunch thanked new and returning partners for investing their time, expertise and trust in CODE Scholars. Featuring boxed lunches and engagement opportunities, the gathering preceded presentations in which partners introduced a new cohort of students to potential community-based research pro...
From Ukraine to SIUE: Fulbright FLTA Builds Connections Through Language
August 27, 2026, 4:30 PM
For nearly a year, Orest Matsiyevsky did not know whether the application he had submitted would bring him back to the United States. He advanced through the Fulbright selection process but was named an alternate finalist, waiting as one month folded into the next.
Come spring 2026, that answer changed. By August, the Ukrainian language instructor was on his way to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. This time, he would not only be a student, but a teacher eager to share his language and c...
Woodard, Knobloch Named to Ohio Valley Conference Runners to Watch List
August 26, 2026, 12:00 PM

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) announced its men's and women's cross country runners to watch for the 2026 season Wednesday, with SIUE represented by junior Erica Woodard from the women's team and freshman Christian Knobloch from the men's team.
Last season, Woodard set a new personal best in the 5K at the SEMO Redhawk Invite with a time of 18:35.0, and placed 16th overall in the 6k event at the OVC Championships with a time of 22:08.7.
Knobloch, who is entering his first ...
Bockstadter, Bozeman Earn OVC Weekly Honors
August 26, 2026, 12:00 AM

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – SIUE women's soccer standouts Tori Bockstadter and Sarah Bozeman earned weekly honors from the Ohio Valley Conference Tuesday.
Bockstadter, a junior from O'Fallon, Missouri, was named the OVC Offensive Player of the Week. Bozeman, a senior from O'Fallon, Missouri, was selected as the OVC Goalkeeper of the Week.
SIUE finished the week 1-0-1 with a 3-0 victory over Austin Peay and a 2-2 tie against IU Indy.
Bockstadter was effective with her shots, scoring on both of her tw...
Owning Tomorrow through Preparation: Emergency Management Awareness Month at SIUE
August 25, 2026, 4:20 PM
At Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, a safe campus is a shared effort. Emergency planning, campus professionals and local first responders work together to support the University community. August is Emergency Management Awareness Month. SIUE is highlighting the people, resources and everyday practices that contribute to a safe learning environment.
As part of this work, SIUE students and employees will complete a brief online training this fall designed to build basic awareness of pot...
Experience Campus and Envision Your Future at SIUE
August 25, 2026, 11:59 AM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville invites prospective students, their families, and guests to discover what the University has to offer by scheduling a campus visit this fall.
Daily Campus Visits and Transfer Visit Days give prospective students the opportunity to explore SIUE, experience campus life, and receive personalized guidance as they consider where to earn a college degree.
Offered throughout the week and on select Saturdays, Daily Visits welcome both prospective and admitte...
Where Passion Meets the Podium: SIUE's 2026 Teaching Award Recipients Redefine What It Means to Teach
August 24, 2026, 4:59 PM

Each year, faculty members at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville change the trajectory of lives without ever realizing it in the moment. This year, SIUE is recognizing eleven such educators, spanning psychology, nursing, pharmacy, engineering, social work, world languages and English, through the 2026 Teaching Excellence Awards. Sarah Conoyer, PhD, NCSP, and Jared Sheley, PharmD, are this year's winners, while nine additional faculty members were recognized as nominees for their outsta...
SIUE’s Amy Reed Leads $4 Million HRSA Grant to Strengthen Rural Nursing Workforce
August 24, 2026, 4:03 PM
A transformative $4 million federal grant is positioning Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing (SON) to help address one of healthcare’s most pressing challenges by strengthening the nursing workforce in rural and underserved communities. Funded by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the four-year project, Enhancing Nursing Workforce Capacity in Rural and Underserved Areas: Addressing Shortages through Exposure, Enrollment, and Education, will expa...
SIUE Hosts Walt Whitman Scholars at Lovejoy Library
August 24, 2026, 2:30 PM
On August 1st, Jason Stacy, PhD, Chair of the Department of History, hosted a team of Walt Whitman scholars from around the country to visit the “The Douglas and Betty Noverr Collection of Walt Whitman’s Journalism” at Bowen Archive in Lovejoy Library. This collection was donated by Jason Stacy, who received the collection in 2022 from Betty Noverr after Douglas Noverr’s death in 2021. It represents 100 years of primary and secondary sources on Walt Whitman’s career as a journalist from the 1840...
Scenes from SIUE Convocation 2026
August 21, 2026, 10:11 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville held its Class of 2030 Convocation on Friday, August 21. SIUE leadership, faculty, staff and DJ Phat Mack, welcomed one of largest first-year classes in the history of the University.
During the lively afternoon ceremony—complete with a cell phone light show —Provost Denise Cobb, PhD, shared, “The students in this first-year class come to us from 543 different high schools and communities in 26 states.”
Students hail from 15 countries including B...
SIUE School of Pharmacy Student Practitioner Produces Research that Leads to Herbal Remedy; Sofija Prvulov Has Successful Summer Internship in Serbia
August 21, 2026, 6:16 PM
For three weeks beginning July 1, P3 student Sofija Prvulov in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Pharmacy (SOP), participated in a pharmacognosy research internship through the APhA-IPSF Student Exchange Program at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, in Serbia.
Student practitioners are assigned a faculty member and in the case of Prvlov, she performed research under the guidance of Dr. Violeta Milutinović, who held her lectures and practical sessions in both En...
SIUE Hosts Memorial Service to Honor Ruth Slenczynska Kerr
August 21, 2026, 12:43 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville celebrates the life, career, and memory of Ruth Slenczynska, world-renowned concert pianist, SIUE Artist-in-Residence and music professor emerita. Slenczynska performed more than 3,000 recitals and concerts worldwide, appeared with the world's greatest orchestras, recorded music for multimedia and was the last known surviving student of Sergei Rachmaninoff. The SIUE community was sad to learn the news of Ruth’s passing in April this year.
In remembrance...
SIUE’s Nieroda Tabbed OVC Offensive Player of the Week
August 21, 2026, 12:00 AM

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – SIUE women's soccer sophomore Claire Nieroda has been selected as the Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
Nieroda, of O'Fallon, Illinois, led the Cougars to a 1-0-1 record in week one of the 2026 season. The Cougars defeated Alabama A&M 2-1 and tied Valparaiso 2-2 with Nieroda having a play in all four SIUE goals for the week.
She scored on a penalty kick to start the season scoring at Alabama A&M. Nieroda then provided assists on the next three goals – th...
Alpha Sigma Tau’s Beta Eta Chapter at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Recognized with Three National Awards at 46th Convention
August 20, 2026, 4:12 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Beta Eta Chapter of the Alpha Sigma Tau was recently recognized by the National Organization for demonstrating excellence within the 2024-2026 biennium. Awards were announced at the sorority’s 46th National Convention in Minneapolis, Minn., June 11-14.
The Beta Eta Chapter was recognized with three national awards—the Chapter Branding Excellence: Marketing & Communications Awards, the Chapter Branding Excellence: Video Award, and the Growth Excellence...
SIUE Earns Highly Established Action Plan Seal for Nonpartisan Democratic Engagement Efforts
August 19, 2026, 4:10 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has earned the 2026 Highly Established Action Plan (HEAP) Seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for its comprehensive approach to nonpartisan civic learning, voter education and student electoral participation.
SIUE’s 2026 Nonpartisan Democratic Engagement Action Plan received 28 out of 32 possible points, placing the University in ALL IN’s highest scoring category. Among 398 campus plans submitted during the review cycle, the national average...
SIUE Announces 2026 Summer Dean’s List
August 19, 2026, 11:55 AM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has announced its summer 2026 Dean’s List, honoring undergraduate students whose academic achievement reflects a strong commitment to scholarship and excellence.
To earn Dean’s List recognition, students must complete at least 12 graded credit hours and achieve a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
The full list of honorees for summer 2026 is available on the SIUE News Dean’s List webpage. To explore students by location, use the dropdown ...
SIUE Professor James Panico Named ASHA Media Champion for Stuttering Awareness Work
August 18, 2026, 2:59 PM
James Panico, PhD, CCC-SLP, a faculty member in SIUE's Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, has been named a recipient of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA) 2026 Media Champion Award for his work developing a groundbreaking exhibit on stuttering.
"I am humbled to be a recipient of the 2026 American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association Media Champion Award," Panico said. "The award is the result of months of hard work involving collaboration among m...
NFCA Honors SIUE Softball With 10 All-America Scholar-Athletes
August 18, 2026, 12:00 AM
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Ten SIUE softball student-athletes have earned honors as 2026 Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes.
Raegan Duncan, Avery Arwood, Kaylin Fahy, Bianca Morrell, Jesslyn Stairs, Haley Strain, Juztyne Torres, Elle van Breusegen, Kiana Villa and Mia Volpert earned All-America Scholar-Athlete recognition.
SIUE also was honored as a team with a 3.399 cumulative grade point average.
Grade point averages for scholar-athletes were submitted by member head coaches. Student-athletes ...
Drones, AI and Arduino: Inside SIUE's School of Engineering Summer Camp
August 17, 2026, 7:32 PM
High school students built drones, wrote code for AI projects and programmed Arduino boards at this summer's Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering (SOE) camp. The projects were new this year, but the camp itself is a long-running tradition that introduces students to the programs within the School. The program is made possible through the generous support of the Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery.
During each morning and afternoon, students took part in a hands-on introd...
SIUE Set to Kick Off Fall Semester with Convocation, Welcome Weekend and Student and Family Events
August 17, 2026, 4:34 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is starting the fall semester with an events lineup for SIUE students to connect, get involved and make the most of campus life. From Welcome Weekend festivities to a full slate of Cougar Welcome Camp Cougar events and exciting campus traditions like Late Night with Campus Recreation and Homecoming & Family Weekend, the first six weeks of the semester bring an abundance of exciting activities.
Convocation
On Friday, Aug. 21, more than 1,000 new Cougars w...
In it to Win It: SIUE’s Venessa A. Brown, PhD, Receives National Distinguished Service Award
August 17, 2026, 4:00 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Faculty Emerita Venessa A. Brown, PhD, has received the 2026 Dr. Frank W. Hale Jr. Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE).
The award recognizes an individual with a sustained record of service to inclusive excellence in higher education. Recipients demonstrate courageous and innovative leadership, advance the principles and practices of NADOHE, and make substantial contributions to th...
From Service Dog Reject to Crime-Fighting Hero: SIUE PD's K9 Marshall Retires After 6 Years
August 14, 2026, 9:49 PM
On Monday, August 11, K-9 Marshall retired from the police department of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Marshall's story starts with a plot twist. Born in Michigan and raised by Paws with a Cause, he was originally in training as a service dog for people with disabilities. Then COVID-19 hit, and life had other plans.
That detour led him to Todd Jordan of Jordan Detection K9, who trained him for a rare and specialized job: sniffing out hidden electronic storage devices. Not drugs. No...
From Fire and Ice: SIUE Students Explore Sustainability Through Iceland Study Abroad Pilot Program
August 14, 2026, 5:00 PM
On a glacier in southeast Iceland, Ethan Welch, a senior at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, stopped at a rock marked “June 17, 2022.” Their guide explained that Breiðamerkurjökull had reached that point only four years earlier. The present edge of the glacier was now roughly a 20-minute walk away.
For Welch, an environmental sciences major with an emphasis in environmental management, the distance transformed an abstract lesson about climate change into something immediate.
“That taugh...
Record Cohort Completes SIUE Summer Success Program Ahead of Fall Semester
August 14, 2026, 3:50 PM

Five weeks before their first fall semester, a record cohort of 120 incoming Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students got an early start.
On Friday, Aug. 7, SIUE’s 2026 Summer Success Program gathered for a closing ceremony celebrating the completion of five weeks of college coursework, campus engagement and community-building. Students finished the program with certificates in hand, seven college credit hours already earned and five weeks of experience navigating University life be...
Tennis Claims OVC Team Academic Award
August 12, 2026, 12:00 AM

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE tennis shared the Ohio Valley Conference Team Academic Award as announced today by the OVC.
SIUE, the 2026 OVC Champs, boasted 100 percent (10/10) of its student-athletes earning at least a 3.25 GPA. The Cougars shared the award with Lindenwood, Southeast Missouri, Tennessee State and Western Illinois.
The OVC Team Academic Achievement Awards, which are presented annually in each Conference-sponsored sport to the member institution's team with the greatest percent...
SIUE School of Engineering Professor Recognized as an Honorary IPLSA Member
August 11, 2026, 3:58 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s John Cabage, PhD, associate professor and chair of the Department of Construction in the School of Engineering (SOE) has been recognized as an honorary member of the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association (IPLSA), one of the state's leading professional organizations representing licensed land surveyors in Illinois with about 1200 members at present.Cabage specializes in construction materials and sustainability. He has been a licensed profes...
37 SIUE Student-Athletes Earn Academic Medal of Honor
August 11, 2026, 12:00 AM

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The Ohio Valley Conference has announced its Academic Medal of Honor recipients for the 2025-26 school year, including 37 student-athletes from SIUE.
The 368 total selections passed the previous record of 356 winners set during the 2020-21 academic year.
The OVC Academic Medal of Honor is given annually to the student-athletes who achieve the highest grade point average in a Conference-sponsored sport. Every Academic Medal of Honor recipient for the 2025-26 academic ye...
SIUE Business Insights: Mary Macharia, PhD
August 10, 2026, 7:14 PM
SIUE CMIS Informed Investigation: The Effect of Digital Media on Identity
This monthly series highlights SIUE School of Business faculty whose research and expertise help organizations, industries and communities better understand today’s business challenges.
As digital media becomes an increasingly significant part of daily life, individuals and organizations alike are paying closer attention to how online conversations shape identity, reputation and public response. Mary Macharia, PhD, assoc...
All Roads Lead Home to Homecoming & Family Weekend, Sept. 23–27 at SIUE
August 10, 2026, 3:30 PM

The Route 66 Centennial Celebration will become part of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s own story during Homecoming & Family Weekend, Sept. 23–27. This year’s theme, “All Roads Lead Home,” celebrates the miles traveled, memories made and Cougar connections that continue to bring alumni, students, families and community members back to campus.
"'All Roads Lead Home' is more than a theme, it's an invitation to connect,” said Miriam Roccia, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. “Homec...
SIUE’s Reinhardt Named Among Illinois’ 25 Women Veteran Leaders of 2026
August 10, 2026, 12:48 PM

Telisha Reinhardt, assistant director of Military and Veteran Services (MAVS) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is one of the 25 Illinois Women Veteran Leaders of 2026 recognized by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) and the USDVA Women’s Health Department at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center.
On March 16, the honorees were celebrated at a luncheon held at Malcolm X College in Chicago. Women veterans from across the state were nominated by their peers for their phenomena...
SIUE Golf Earns Team Academic Award from the GCAA
August 10, 2026, 12:00 AM

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE golf is among 331 schools to be recognized as a 2025-26 PLATFORM Golf Team Academic Award recipient, as announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).
The award marks the 16th consecutive year that SIUE has been recognized. It is the longest streak among Ohio Valley Conference schools.
To be eligible, teams must earn at least a 3.0 combined grade point average. A total of 86 teams in Division I were honored as All-Academic Award winners.
Vetrepreneur Brings Uptown Cheapskate Franchise to Fairview Heights
August 7, 2026, 4:59 PM
First-time Business Owners Worked Closely with Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE
What began as a post-military transition after decades of service has evolved into a new, community-focused small business in the Metro East. Mark Byham and wife, Laurie, are bringing the nationally recognized resale clothing franchise Uptown Cheapskate to Fairview Heights, expanding access to affordable, sustainable fashion on the Illinois side of the river.
After more than 30 years of service and global tra...
IMAGINE Summer Success Academy at SIUE Helps Students See Nursing in their Future
August 7, 2026, 4:40 PM
Carly Burley evaluated the patient in the examination room for her blood pressure, temperature and pulse. The Believe Academy junior was alarmed that the woman who sat before her was seriously ill.
“At first, she was so jittery I thought something was really wrong with her,” said Burley. “Then we found out she was an actor, and it was actually pretty fun.”
The encounter was one of several simulations during the IMAGINE Summer Success Academy, and School of Nursing summer camp tailored for high...
Scenes From SIU School of Dental Medicine Welcome Back Reception
August 7, 2026, 4:25 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub coordinated a welcome event for approximately 175 dental students and residents in partnership with Campus Recreation (CREC), Catering, and the SIU School of Dental Medicine's Office of Admissions and Student Services. Members of the Chancellor's Council and the SIU School of Dental Medicine administration joined the event to welcome students back for the fall semester.
Students enjoyed Mediterranean Power Bowls, Da...
Hallowed Ground: SIUE Students Examine Civil Rights History in Montgomery, Alabama
August 6, 2026, 4:00 PM

Four Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students spent the first part of their summer immersed in civil rights history at the sites where it unfolded, traveling to Montgomery, Alabama.
“HIST 101: ‘Hallowed Ground: Civil Rights Pilgrimage and Historical Memory’” is a Maymester course led by two professors of history at SIUE: Tandra Taylor, PhD, assistant vice chancellor for educational pathways and community engagement and executive director of the SIUE Freedom School, and Bryan Jack, P...
STEM, Arts, Crime Scene and Sports Camps Offer a Snapshot of Summer at SIUE
August 5, 2026, 3:00 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s lineup of summer camps covered the interests of campers from around the region. From the theater stage to the soccer field, here is a snapshot of some of the seasonal learning and fun.
On stage some of the youngest performers this summer attended the Cougar Theater Camp. Youth in kindergarten through eighth grade learned the craft under the guidance of SIUE alumna Ashley Miller-Melton ‘14. Miller-Melton serves as the Edwardsville High School dram...
SIUE Welcomes High School Students for Inaugural NextGen Pharmacy Camp
August 5, 2026, 2:00 PM
NextGen Pharmacy Camp was held for the first time at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville this summer. In previous years, the topic of pharmacy was offered as part of a combined camp with nursing and dentistry. The camp drew support from the South Central Illinois Area Health Education Center (AHEC), part of the Illinois AHEC Network.
"I asked around if we had a pharmacy camp for high school students to come and learn about pharmacy. I thought it would be a great opportunity for colleg...
Twelve Students Graduate from SIUE’s ERTC Water Quality Control Program
August 5, 2026, 2:00 PM
On Friday, July 24, twelve students graduated from the Environmental Resource Training Center in the School of Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The program involves comprehensive education that prepares them for certifications as Illinois and Missouri public water and wastewater treatment system operators.
Dean Emeritus Cem Karacal, PhD, who retired at the end of June, delivered remarks to the graduates preparing to enter the public workforce. Seventeen scholarships wer...
SIUE Announces Fall 2027 Undergraduate and Graduate Admission Applications Are Open
August 5, 2026, 10:33 AM
The Office of Admissions at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has announced that the fall 2027 undergraduate and graduate admission applications are open as of August 3. Undergraduate and graduate students may apply online at siue.edu/apply.
All undergraduate and graduate students in the U.S. pay in-state tuition. SIUE undergraduate students benefit from one of the lowest tuition rates in Illinois, and new undergrads pay a guaranteed tuition rate for four consecutive years.
Internation...
Volleyball Earns AVCA Team Academic Award
August 3, 2026, 12:00 AM

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) has announced that SIUE volleyball is one of 1,432 programs honored with a 2026 Team Academic Award. To be honored, teams must maintain a year-long grade-point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or 4.1 on a 5.0 scale).
The Cougars earned a combined 3.672 GPA during the 2025-26 school year.
SIUE is one of six OVC teams to earn the honor for the 2025-26 academic year. This is the 12th time the Cougars have been honored...
A Tradition of Service: SIUE Continues to Champion Veterans and Military Families
August 2, 2026, 3:05 PM


Southern Illinois University Edwardsville continues to strengthen its commitment to those who have served the nation by earning the 2026–2027 Military Friendly School and Military Friendly Spouse School designations.
The recognitions highlight SIUE's dedication to creating an environment where veterans, active-duty service members, military-connected students and military spouses have the support they need to achieve their educational and career goals.
Currently, nearly 900 veteran and milit...
When the Unexpected Interrupts College: SIUE Introduces GradGuard for Students' Financial Peace of Mind
August 2, 2026, 2:45 PM

For students facing a serious illness, injury or mental health challenge, stepping away from college may sometimes be necessary. But the financial consequences of withdrawing can make an already difficult decision even more complicated.
SIUE is introducing a new resource to help students and families prepare for such unexpected circumstances. Through GradGuard, eligible SIUE students will have the option to purchase tuition insurance that may help protect their financial investment if they m...
SIUE Shines for a Second Time as Electrek American Solar Challenge Stage Point
July 31, 2026, 6:26 PM

"Working for 20 to sometimes 40 hours a week designing and building our car Orion, we've gone camping together, we do game nights, and then going to the event where we are traveling together for like a week and a half—we have formed a lot of really strong bonds between all of the members in our solar car team," shared Henry Jones, a mechanical engineering graduate who graduated this past May and the President of SIUE's Solar Racing Team.
For Kevin Van Hesen, an alumnus of the Netherlands-based ...
SIUE Graduate School Announces 2026 Research Grants for Research Doctoral Students
July 31, 2026, 9:45 AM
The recipients of the Graduate School’s 2026 Research Grants for Research Doctoral Students (RGRDS) awards have been selected. The RGRDS program awards grants of up to $1000 to support research and projects initiated and conducted by students of the SIUE EdD program, PharmD program, DNP programs, and the co-operative PhD programs to enhance their academic progress. The purpose of this program is to support the research of doctoral students under the guidance of faculty advisors.
“These awards r...
SIUE Hosts Stage Point for Electrek American Solar Challenge, Draws Regional Media Coverage
July 30, 2026, 10:05 AM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville served as a stage point for the Electrek American Solar Challenge on July 27 and 28, hosting more than a dozen collegiate solar car teams from across the U.S. and abroad, including the Netherlands, Canada, and Belgium, as part of the event's 1,500-mile route along the Great River Road and historic Route 66. The SIUE Solar Racing Team competed alongside the visiting teams, marking the University's return to national competition after several years.
Th...
From Students to Program Directors: Fulford and Wallace Prepare the Next Generation of Water Professionals at ERTC
July 29, 2026, 3:30 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Environmental Resources Training Center (ERTC) will begin the new academic year with two ERTC graduates leading its core water and wastewater programs.
Charles Fulford has been named program director for public water supply, and Kyle Wallace will serve as water pollution control program director. Their appointments restore full leadership to both programs following approximately 18 months of staffing transitions.
“Having both positions filled is incr...
SIUE Athletics, First Community Credit Union Announce Groundbreaking Partnership Expansion
July 29, 2026, 12:00 AM

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and SIUE Athletics announced a groundbreaking partnership expansion with First Community Credit Union. First Community will be featured as the exclusive jersey partner for eight of SIUE's teams, including men's and women's basketball, volleyball, men's and women's soccer, wrestling, softball, and baseball.
The expanded relationship with First Community will provide meaningful support for the student-athlete experience at SI...
Welcome Home, SIUE Solar Racing Team!
July 28, 2026, 2:52 PM

As solar teams from across the globe get back on the road, the SIUE solar experience as part of the Electrek American Solar Challenge has reached its final destination. Welcome home, team!
More details on the ASC 1,500+ mile challenge and the meet and greet at the SIUE stage point to come….
PHOTO: SIUE Solar Racing Team's Orion, sponsored by Ameren Illinois, in competition at the 2026 Electrek American Solar Challenge.
SIU SDM Hosts Third Annual Dentistry Day BESt Healthcare Institute 2026 Summer Program
July 24, 2026, 12:34 PM

On June 25, Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SDM) hosted the third annual Dentistry Day for student participants in the BESt Healthcare Institute 2026 Summer Program. The Institute is a four-week STEM-based intensive designed to spark high school students’ interest in related careers and create a pipeline of well-prepared candidates for careers in healthcare, as well as lives of service, leadership and community impact. SIU SDM Dean Saulius Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD, welc...
SIUE Holds Memories and Promise for Friends on Reunion Tour
July 24, 2026, 10:07 AM

This summer, new sights on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville have been the perfect draw for summer campers, academic conferences and a walk down memory lane for Cougar alumni. One main attraction for recent reunions has been the Health Science Complex, which opened within three years of its initial groundbreaking. SIUE alumnus Charlie Dragovich, ‘86, who received his degree in chemistry, suggested HSC as the starting point for a guided tour. Dragovich and a small group of...
SIUE Alumnus Steve Porter Elected to the Illinois Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026
July 22, 2026, 11:19 AM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumnus Steve Porter, ’73, has been selected as an inductee in the Illinois Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
A veteran in print media, Porter worked as a sportswriter for 45 years with the Alton Telegraph, Alton AdVantage and Collinsville Herald. Throughout his distinguished career, he has been actively covering athletes, teams and events that had a lasting impact on the athletics community of Illinois.
Porter graduated with a bachelor’s in mass commun...
Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at SIUE Helps Skitopel Build Its First Export Strategy
July 21, 2026, 12:05 PM
The SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is helping Illinois-based natural insect repellent manufacturer Skitopel® prepare for international growth by providing strategic export counseling, market research, and connections to trusted export resources.
Founded by SIUE alumna April Robbins in 2019, Skitopel was inspired by a simple observation made while working in her family garden in Bunker Hill, Ill. After discovering that herbs such as lavender, p...
SIUE Men's Basketball to Hold Open Practice July 29
July 21, 2026, 12:00 AM

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE men's basketball Head Coach Brian Barone is offering an early look at his 2026-27 Cougars with an open practice Wednesday, July 29 at First Community Arena.
Cougar fans are invited to view one of the final summer workouts for the Cougars as well as hear from Coach Barone and select players during the practice.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with the team workout beginning at 5:30 p.m. Light concessions will be available so fans can enjoy snacks and drinks.
Following the p...
SIUE Alumna's Documentary About Her Mother to Screen at St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase
July 20, 2026, 3:12 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumna Carson Crow will screen her documentary about her late mother at the St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase on July 26. The 25-minute film, which chronicles her mother Robin Cecilia Wheat's cancer diagnosis and lifelong devotion to Edwardsville, draws on interviews, family footage and historical records spanning generations. SIUE Students Earn Emmy Recognition for Chilling Horror Film “The Lesser Key”
July 19, 2026, 5:45 PM
A passion for storytelling, late-night filming sessions, fake blood and a love for horror movies helped a team of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students turn a classroom dream into Emmy-winning success.
SIUE department of Mass Communications students Aidan Keen, Thomas Drake and Andrew Dalan earned recognition in the Fiction – Long Form category at the 2026 Mid-America Emmy Student Production Awards for their original horror film, The Lesser Key. The project captured the attention of ...
Powering Illinois’ Future Together: SIUE’s Inaugural IIN Fellows Champion Collaboration and Innovation
July 19, 2026, 4:00 PM
Innovation thrives when people, disciplines and institutions come together around shared challenges. At Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, inaugural Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) Fellows Kevin R. Tucker, PhD, and Diane Cox, PhD, are helping create those connections while positioning SIUE at the center of conversations shaping Illinois’ future.
Together with SIUE Fellow Sinan Onal, PhD, Tucker and Cox are members of the inaugural IIN Fellows cohort. Tucker and Cox are helping lead th...
SIUE Celebrated among the St. Louis Region's Largest Research Universities
July 19, 2026, 3:03 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has earned another notable distinction, ranking No. 7 among the Largest Research Universities in the St. Louis region, according to the St. Louis Business Journal's June 4, 2026 list.
The annual ranking recognizes universities based on research funding received in 2025, highlighting institutions that are advancing innovation, discovery and scholarship across a wide range of disciplines. Information for the list was provided by participating universiti...
Sade and Alphonso Shepherd, an SIUE Spotlight
July 17, 2026, 4:53 PM

"SIUE is a part of me. If not for me arriving at SIUE in 2007, I would not have the life I have today—my family, my friends, my career," said Sade Shepherd, a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumna who earned her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences in 2011 and later her master’s degree in business administration in 2013.
Sade works in SIUE's SOAR program under Earleen Patterson, PhD, supporting first-generation campus students.
For the past decade, her husband Alphonso Shepherd ha...
As Seen on Socials: SIUE Solar Racing Team Featured in St. Louis Post-Dispatch
July 17, 2026, 3:06 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Solar Racing Team was featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch ahead of the team's return to national competition for the first time in years. The article details the team's preparation for the American Solar Challenge, a multiday, 1,500-mile road race from Minneapolis to Amarillo, Texas, beginning July 25.
The roughly 25-member student team hand-built a new solar car, named Orion, largely from scratch, including hand-soldering their own solar p...
SIUE to Host Solar Car Drivers with Festival During Electrek American Solar Challenge Route 66 Stop in Edwardsville
July 15, 2026, 6:31 PM

For a second year, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is all set to host the collegiate competition known as the Electrek American Solar Challenge 2026 on July 27 and 28. More than 20 solar car teams travelling a 1500+ mile course in eight days along the Great River Road and Route 66 will encounter a festival at the SIUE stop, with food trucks, music, and more!
With teams traveling from Illinois State University before arriving in Edwardsville, SIUE's stop falls roughly at the event's mi...
An SIUE Alumni Spotlight: From Housing Instability to EDUrain
July 15, 2026, 3:48 PM

Growing up in foster care, Bryon Pierson Jr. learned early how fragile stability can be, and by the time he reached college, that lesson had only deepened. During his years at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, he moved seven times lived with 22 different roommates. Pierson says he became heavily in debt just to stay housed and enrolled. Those experiences, along with his leadership of the Gay-Straight Alliance and his senior capstone on student support systems, led him to found ED...
An SIUE Alumni Spotlight: From Housing Instability to EDUrain
July 15, 2026, 3:48 PM

Growing up in foster care, Bryon Pierson Jr. learned early how fragile stability can be, and by the time he reached college, that lesson had only deepened. During his years at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, he moved seven times lived with 22 different roommates. Pierson says he became heavily in debt just to stay housed and enrolled. Those experiences, along with his leadership of the Gay-Straight Alliance and his senior capstone on student support systems, led him to found ED...
SIU SDM Launches New Graduate Periodontics Program
July 15, 2026, 2:47 PM
Saulius Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD, Dean of SIU SDM, recently announced that the SIU School of Dental Medicine is launching its new Graduate Periodontics Program, as of July 1. The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) discussed and granted an initial accreditation approval for the new program at SIU SDM at their meeting on February 5.
The new graduate specialty program at the SIU School of Dental Medicine has been in the planning and development stages for several years to achieve the initia...
SIUE Business Insights: Ariel Belasen, PhD
July 15, 2026, 12:48 PM
SIUE Economist Examines Sports Betting’s Impact on NBA Officiating
This monthly series highlights SIUE School of Business faculty whose research and expertise help organizations, industries, and communities better understand today’s business challenges.
As legalized sports betting becomes an increasingly visible part of professional athletics, questions about transparency, integrity, and public trust are taking on new business significance. Ariel Belasen, PhD, professor and chair of the Departm...
SIUE Women’s Tennis Earns ITA Honors
July 15, 2026, 12:10 PM

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – For the eighth consecutive season under Head Coach Adam Albertsen, the SIUE women's tennis team has been honored for academic achievements by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).
"This team continued to raise the bar on the courts and in the classroom this past year," said Albertsen. "I am extremely proud of the work they put in as student-athletes and how they represent SIUE in the community. Go Cougars!"
Nine SIUE women's tennis players, who led the Cougars to...
SIUE Announces Next School of Engineering Dean; Liang Cheng, PhD, Takes the Helm August 19
July 13, 2026, 4:30 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is pleased to announce the appointment of Liang Cheng, PhD, as the next Dean of the School of Engineering, effective August 19. Dr. Cheng will also hold an academic appointment as Professor of Computer Science with a courtesy appointment in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Cheng joins SIUE from the University of Toledo, where he has served as Department Chair and Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He previously served as a fac...
SIUE Hosts 2026 Cycle Across Illinois Sendoff; SIUE PD Sponsors Accommodations for COPS Cyclists and Staff
July 10, 2026, 12:08 PM

On Thursday, July 9, 80 police officers departed as a sea of blue on wheels from the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, destined for Chicago. The 22nd annual four-day ride, along historic Route 66, is known as The 2026 Cycle Across Illinois. The monumental trek benefits Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), which supports families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.
Cyclists and their support staff enjoyed a hearty dinner meal, sponsored by Granite City Mayor Mike ...
Zen & Zest: Learning Resource Center Opens Meditation Room with Mindfulness Retreat
July 9, 2026, 3:20 PM
The SIUE Learning Resource Center at the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus in East St. Louis is inviting community members to pause, breathe and reconnect during the Zen & Zest Mindfulness Retreat from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, July 14.
The retreat will celebrate the grand opening of the Learning Resource Center’s new Meditation Quiet Room, a dedicated wellness space created to support stress reduction and well-being for members of the campus and surrounding community.
Guests can begin th...
SIUE Hall of Fame Tennis Coach Kent DeMars Passes Away
July 9, 2026, 1:15 PM

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE Athletics mourns the passing of Hall of Fame tennis coach Kent DeMars, who passed away Thursday, according to family. He was 82.
DeMars transformed the SIUE men's tennis program from club status to national powerhouse, coaching the Cougars to seven consecutive national championships from 1978-1984.
"Kent built SIUE tennis into a national power that saw championship-level success," SIUE women's tennis Head Coach Adam Albertsen said. "Beyond the trophies and the wins...
As Seen On Socials: WSIE 88.7 "The Sound" Named Finalist for Best Radio Station in St. Louis American Reader's Choice Awards
July 8, 2026, 4:10 PM

WSIE 88.7 "The Sound" has been named a finalist in the Best Radio Station category of the 2026 St. Louis American Reader's Choice Awards, placing the station among the top four radio stations in the St. Louis area as voted by listeners.
The recognition comes from readers of the St. Louis American, who selected their favorite local radio stations as part of the publication's annual awards program celebrating the city's top businesses, services, and community institutions.
The honor reflects t...
Wilma Jene Bond, 1939-2026; Executive Assistant to the President
July 8, 2026, 1:00 PM
Wilma Jene Bond, administrator, advisor and keeper of campus history for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville died on Tuesday, June 23. Her career spanned more than three decades during some of SIUE’s most formative years. She was 86.
Bond joined SIUE in 1966 as executive assistant to President John S. Rendleman, JD, during a pivotal period in which the Edwardsville campus was establishing autonomy within the Southern Illinois University System. Over the course of her career, she worked wi...
SIUE's Butts-Wilmsmeyer Appointed to Illinois Committee for Agricultural Education
July 7, 2026, 9:30 AM
Carrie Butts-Wilmsmeyer, PhD, director of the Center for Predictive Analytics (C-PAN) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has been appointed to the Illinois Committee for Agricultural Education (ICAE).
The ICAE, which serves under the office of Illinois Deputy Governor for Education Martin Torres, advises the Illinois State Board of Education on agricultural education. The 13-member committee includes representatives from various educational sectors and agricultural organizations.
“T...
SIUE Learning Resource Center Invites Community to Explore the Universe with Inflatable Planetarium
July 6, 2026, 4:15 PM
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville STEM Center in partnership with the Learning Resource Center (LRC) at the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus in East St. Louis will welcome the public at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8 for an educational experience featuring the return of an inflatable planetarium.
“Explore the Universe” is an event that offers participants of all ages the opportunity to explore the wonders of the night sky during the day through an immersive astronomy presenta...
Meet the School of Dental Medicine Sports Historian Christopher Flamer
July 2, 2026, 12:18 PM

When Jack Weber, DMD, addressed his Class of ’26 cohort as student speaker at commencement this spring, he shared gratitude for one of his strongest supporters, and pointed to the crowd.
The newly conferred Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) graduate acknowledged Chris Flamer, a Building Service Worker known to students not only for keeping their learning spaces ready, but also for being their favorite sports historian, steady encourager and source of support.
“...
SIUE Hosts its Fifth Recovery Support Professional Training Program Graduation
June 30, 2026, 1:38 PM

On June 28, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville hosted a ceremony for the seventh cohort of Recovery Support Professional Training Program, honoring 21 graduates for completing the program requirements and becoming eligible to sit for the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) exam and the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS), both credentials are certified by the Illinois Certification Board (ICB).
Five graduates addressed the audience during the ceremony, sharing personal ref...
Emmanuel S. Eneyo, 1955-2026; Professor Emeritus
June 30, 2026, 1:30 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville mourns the passing of Emmanuel Eneyo, PhD, Professor Emeritus in industrial engineering, who died Monday, June 8, 2026.
Eneyo was a long-serving member of the SIUE School of Engineering. He joined SIUE in 1985 as one of just three faculty members to help develop the engineering program at the University. Throughout his career, he contributed to the growth of the School and the Department of Industrial Engineering as a faculty member, mentor and departme...
SIUE Professor Launches 314 Soccer Club: Building Character Through the World’s Game
June 30, 2026, 12:00 PM
St. Louis has long been recognized as one of America's great soccer cities, making it a natural home for the vision of Musonda Kapatamoyo, PhD, of creating a multicultural soccer club that develops not only athletes, but also future leaders.
Originally from Zambia, where soccer is the nation's most popular sport, Kapatamoyo developed a passion for the game at an early age. His journey eventually brought him to the United States to pursue graduate studies at Ohio University, where he earned a P...
Keith Harris Appointed Director for Web Strategy for SIUE Marketing and Communications
June 29, 2026, 6:25 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Paula Bridges has named Keith Harris as the new Director for Web Strategy for SIUE Marketing and Communications Harris began his tenure on Monday, June 29.
Harris has a 25-year career in digital marketing, web administration, integrated marketing solutions and launching new platforms. His leadership experience consists of hiring, training and managing teams. He prioritizes building relationships and s...
SIUE and The Wedge Launch Regional AI Learnathon to Expand Workforce Skills in Southern Illinois
June 26, 2026, 4:25 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, in partnership with The Wedge, has launched a Grow with Google Summer AI Learnathon Series—a community-based initiative bringing practical AI and digital workforce training directly to residents, employers, and learners across the region.
The kickoff event, held at The Wedge Innovation Center in Alton, focused on hands-on learning and immediate engagement, helping participants move beyond awareness and begin building job-ready skills through the Goog...
SIU SDM Announces Student Awardees of $112,000 in Scholarship Assistance
June 26, 2026, 9:19 AM

The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) recently announced the presentation of 14 individual scholarship awards to 12 remarkable dental students. The 2026 SIU SDM spring scholarship awards ranged in value from $1,000 to $15,000. The total value of the scholarship assistance provided to these deserving dental students was $112,000.
Saulius Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD, Dean of SIU SDM, highlighted the achievements of the scholarship recipients, as well as the gener...
Arnas Sakenis To Play in NBA Summer League with Miami Heat
June 26, 2026, 12:00 AM

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE men's basketball standout, and 2026 Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Arnas Sakenis has signed to play in the NBA Summer League with the Miami Heat.
Sakenis will begin his Summer League action with the Heat next week in California.
Sakenis is the first-ever SIUE player to take part in the NBA Summer League.
While at SIUE, Sakenis began his SIUE career as a walk-on for Head Coach Brian Barone before progressing into the OVC's best defensive pl...
SIUE’s Recovery Support Professional Training Program to Host Graduation of its Seventh Cohort
June 25, 2026, 12:53 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's seventh class of Recovery Support Professional Training Program graduates will be honored Sunday, June 28. At the ceremony, 21 students will be honored for completing the program requirements and being prepared to take the Illinois Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) and the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) exams certified by the Illinois Certification Board (ICB). The program has prepared more than 110 people for a career in peer rec...Belleville Chamber of Commerce and SIUE Partner to Launch AI Learn-a-thon for Local Professionals Ahead of AI Appreciation Day
June 25, 2026, 8:42 AM

The Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to host an AI Learn-a-thon on Wednesday, July 15, at SIUE’s Belleville location on the Southwestern Illinois Justice & Workforce Development Campus.
The event will give Chamber members first access to a hands-on workshop designed to help participants begin the Google AI Professional Certificate. Attendees will learn what the certificate includes, how the program can support practical workpl...
SIUE Archaeology Field School Continues to Uncover Exciting Discoveries
June 24, 2026, 11:00 AM

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Archeology Field School continues its exploration and uncovering of interesting discoveries at the Gehring site. The site is an important archaeological location situated on the campus between Cahokia Creek and the bluffs, approximately 10 miles north of Cahokia Mounds.
The site is significant for its use from the Late Archaic (3000-1000 BC) through historic times, with the most intensive occupation during the Middle Woodland period, about 2,000 yea...
SIUE Alumni Association Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees; Ceremony to Take Place November 13
June 23, 2026, 3:55 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has announced 10 inductees to the 2026 Alumni Hall of Fame. The SIUE Alumni Association Hall of Fame honors distinguished alumni who have made exceptional contributions in their careers, communities and to the University. This year’s Alumni Association honorees are Lindy Noel, Kyle Anderson, Andy Manar, Scott Thoma, Ken Tilashalski, DMD, Sandy Montgomery, Ryan Freeman, Verna Hendricks-Ferguson, PhD, RN, FAAN, FPCN, Jerrica Ampadu, PhD, RN and Casey Re...
SIUE’s Building Futures Program Hosts Annual Caseworkers Event Focused on Relationship Building and Youth Success
June 23, 2026, 3:38 PM

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Building Futures program hosted its annual Caseworkers Event on June 18 at the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus in East St. Louis, bringing together caseworkers, community partners, and program stakeholders committed to improving outcomes for foster care youth across the region.
The event focused on strengthening professional relationships, enhancing service coordination, and providing caseworkers with practical tools to support youth tr...
SIUE Dining Services Ranked No. 1 in Illinois
June 23, 2026, 3:18 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville continues to gain national recognition for creating an outstanding student experience, this time through its campus dining program. According to Niche’s 2026 Best College Food in America rankings, SIUE Dining Services has been ranked #1 in Illinois and #122 nationally.
The recognition highlights SIUE’s commitment to providing students with high-quality dining options, welcoming spaces, and a campus environment that supports student well-being and comm...
Good Deeds Farm Advances Rural Economic Development and Food Access in Randolph County; Business Planning Provided by (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE
June 23, 2026, 2:15 PM
Fourth-generation farm reimagined to strengthen local food systems, improve community health and support regional economic growth
Good Deeds Farm, founded by Sharie Cradduck, is introducing a community-focused agricultural model that supports rural economic development, expands access to locally grown food, and promotes long-term public health outcomes in Randolph County.
Built on a fourth-generation family farm, the business represents a growing movement toward small-scale, sustainable agricult...
Gardens at SIUE Featured among Illinois Hidden Gems; Read More SIUE Mentions in the Press in the SIUE Press Room
June 23, 2026, 11:45 AM

Tucked within the scenic campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is one of the region’s most peaceful and visually captivating destinations, the Gardens at SIUE, a 36-acre living laboratory where nature, art, education, and culture come together in unexpected ways.
Recently highlighted among noteworthy Illinois garden destinations highlighted in a recent feature by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Gardens at SIUE invites visitors to explore a half-mile paved loop connecting themed...
SIUE Earns National Recognition in 2026 U.S. News Rankings
June 18, 2026, 11:03 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville continues to earn national recognition for academic excellence and student success, with a top ranking among National Universities and recognized in the top 200 among Top Public Schools in the 2026 edition of Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report.
The rankings highlight SIUE’s continued commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education in a supportive learning environment. Known for its strong academic programs, welcoming campus community, ...
Margaux Guibal Britt Named Athlete of the Year Finalist
June 18, 2026, 1:54 PM

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Senior tennis standout Margaux Guibal Britt is SIUE's finalist for Female Athlete of the Year in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Guibal Britt was voted as the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year after leading the Cougars to their first regular-season title since 2017. She was a first-team All-OVC singles selection and a first-team All-OVC doubles selection with teammate Stefaniya Anikina.
Guibal Britt finished 16-7 in singles play overall, including a 4-0 mark in OVC p...
Three Wrestlers Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors
June 16, 2026, 2:47 PM
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Three SIUE wrestlers were named Academic All-District today by College Sports Communications, which recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the mat and in the classroom.
Bryson Buhk, Drew Davis, and Brock Woodcock were among the At-Large honorees for SIUE. Eligible nominees were in the lineup for 75 percent of an institution's scored events and achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.500.
All three were major contributors to...
13th Annual 2026 Metro East Start-Up Challenge to Offer $28,000 in Prizes
June 15, 2026, 2:40 PM
Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2026 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 13th annual regional business plan competition.
The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage, and support entrepreneurs and business startups across SBDC’s service area. Counties served include Jersey, Calhoun, Madison, Bond,...
The Illinois SBDC International Trade Center SIUE Explores Collaboration Opportunities with NCERC; Partnership Would Support Global Growth in Biofuels and Ag Innovation
June 9, 2026, 5:54 PM
The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is exploring collaboration opportunities with the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at SIUE to strengthen international market opportunities for agribusinesses, biofuel innovators and agricultural technology companies across the region.
In early May, the organizations held a discussion that reflected a shared interest in supporting innovation, commer...
Illinois SBDC Helps Launch Hands-On Entertainment to Families Across the Metro East
June 9, 2026, 12:00 AM
What began as quality time spent with family has evolved into an innovative new business serving local families in part to the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Ridge Runner Hobby, a mobile party business that brings remote-control (RC) vehicle experiences directly to homes, schools and community celebrations, was created after a career transition left founder Eric Barbee spending more time at home with his childre...
SIU School of Dental Medicine Graduates 57 Dentists; Dean Emeritus Bruce Rotter, DMD, MS, Gives Keynote
June 8, 2026, 12:45 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, conferred Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degrees upon 57 graduates of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM). The commencement ceremony was held Saturday, June 6 at the First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center on the Edwardsville campus. The Class of 2026 represented the 51st graduating class of SIU SDM.
As Chancellor Minor noted, the class commencement comes at a critical time for pat...
SIUE Earns National Recognition as a Military-Friendly University
June 5, 2026, 10:00 PM
Military Times Best for Vets Rankings has recognized Southern Illinois University Edwardsville among the nation’s top colleges for veterans and military-connected students in its 2025 “Best for Vets: Colleges” rankings, highlighting the University’s continued commitment to student success, accessibility, and support services. SIUE ranked No. 80 nationally overall and earned impressive distinctions across several categories, including No. 4 in Illinois, No. 11 in the Midwest, No. 22 among traditi...
SIUE Theater and Dance Establishes Hall of Fame During 50th Anniversary Celebration
June 5, 2026, 5:15 PM

As part of its yearlong 50th anniversary celebration, the Department of Theater and Dance has established a Hall of Fame honoring alumni whose achievements and contributions have helped shape the department's legacy at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
During the annual Encore Awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 5, Theater and Dance formally recognized the inaugural Hall of Fame class as part of "A Season of Gold," a historic season celebrating five decades of artistic excellence, creati...
Dr. Radhika Devraj Announced as the Inaugural Recipient of the Therese Poirier Endowed Professorship in Pharmacy
June 5, 2026, 3:15 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) has announced the inaugural recipient of the Therese Poirier Endowed Professorship in Pharmacy. Radhika Devraj, PhD, professor of pharmaceutical sciences, received the award, which was announced during SIUE’s record-breaking One Day, One SIUE day of giving and celebration.
“I was truly surprised and shocked when my name was called out for it. I am especially honored that my research efforts were recognized by the committee,”...
SIU School of Dental Medicine Celebrates Graduation of Inaugural ADEA Academic Dental Careers Fellowship Program Cohort
June 5, 2026, 2:44 PM

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SDM) proudly celebrated the graduation of the inaugural cohort of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Academic Dental Careers Fellowship Program (ADCFP) on May 14, marking an important milestone in the school’s commitment to developing the next generation of academic dental leaders.
The ADCFP, an ADEA national initiative, is designed to introduce dental students to careers in academic dentistry through mentorship, leadership...
Five Baseball Student-Athletes Named Academic All-District
June 4, 2026, 4:40 PM

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Five SIUE baseball student-athletes were named Academic All-District® on Tuesday by College Sports Communicators, which recognizes student-athletes for their performance in the field and in the classroom.
Porter Conn, Daniel Gierer, Sean Kang, Joseph Martin, and Spencer Stearns were selected to the Academic All-District team.
Individuals must have achieved at least a 3.500 grade point average, and players must have appeared in 90 percent of the team's games or started in...
From Refugee to Campus Leader: Dzenana Mruckovski Joins SIUE Administration
June 2, 2026, 4:35 PM
A journey that began with resilience and reinvention is now bringing new leadership to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Dzenana Mruckovski has been named SIUE’s new Associate Vice Chancellor for Administration, adding more than 20 years of experience in facilities management, infrastructure planning, public administration and capital project leadership to the University’s executive team.
Currently serving as Director of Capital Projects & Records at Washington University in St. Louis...
SIUE Names Amanda Duval Norwood Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources
June 2, 2026, 4:25 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has appointed Amanda Duval Norwood as its new Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, bringing to campus a nationally experienced HR leader known for building employee-centered workplace cultures and advancing organizational excellence across higher education.
Norwood arrives at SIUE with more than two decades of leadership experience spanning higher education, healthcare and senior living industries. Most recently, she served as Chief Human Reso...
SIUE Student-Athletes Extend Academic Streak
June 1, 2026, 10:05 AM
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – For 20 full years (40 consecutive semesters) SIUE student-athletes have earned a grade point average better than 3.0. In the recently completed spring semester, student-athletes earned a combined GPA of 3.411, which marks the fourth semester in a row at or above 3.3.
"We are incredibly proud of the academic success of our student-athletes," Vice Chancellor / Director of Athletics Andrew Gavin said. "Our student-athletes balance demanding schedules yet continue to make aca...
WSIE steps into a new era with a stronger signal
May 28, 2026, 11:41 AM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's jazz radio station, WSIE 88.7 — The Sound, is a feature story in The St. Louis American, highlighting the station's new tower and HD transmitter and what it means for listeners across the bi-state region.
Written by Kenya Vaughn, the piece captures a ribbon-cutting ceremony held May 13 at WSIE's Dunham Hall studios on the SIUE campus, bringing together donors, students, volunteers, and longtime supporters to mark a milestone more than 20 years in t...
SIUE Announces 2026 Spring Dean’s List
May 27, 2026, 2:50 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville continues to foster future leaders through outstanding academic programs and dedicated faculty. Each semester, undergraduate students who achieve exceptional academic performance are recognized on the Dean’s List.
To qualify, students must complete at least 12 graded credit hours and earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher. (An A is valued at 4.0, and a B at 3.0.)
The full list of honorees for spring 2026 is available on the SIUE News Dean...
SIUE Softball Players Named Academic All-District
May 27, 2026, 10:35 AM
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Five SIUE softball players were named Academic All-District today by College Sports Communications, which recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom.
Avery Arwood, Aidyn Barrera, Raegan Duncan, Kaylin Fahy and Kiana Villa were among the honores for SIUE. Eligible nominees had to have competed in 90 percent of a team's games or start at least 66 percent of a team's games. For pitchers, a minimum of 17 appe...
SIUE Undergraduate Scholars Showcase Celebrates Student Discovery and Creativity
May 26, 2026, 1:40 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students presented original research, creative projects and scholarly work during the University’s annual Undergraduate Scholars Showcase held Thursday, April 24 in the Morris University Center.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the event celebrated the depth and variety of student scholarship across disciplines through oral presentations, poster and demonstration sessions and performance. The showcase featured projects from SIUE’s Senior Assign...
SIUE Spring Commencement Celebrates Notable Academic Milestones and Personal Triumph
May 21, 2026, 4:40 AM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, conferred degrees upon 1,997 eligible graduates during May 2026 commencement ceremonies, held Friday and Saturday, May 8-9 in the First Community Arena at Vadalabene Center. This particular weekend of ceremonies celebrated both individual and university milestones.
SIU President Dan Mahony, PhD, and Gireesh Gupchup, PhD, FAPhA, SIU System Vice President for Academic Innovation, Planning and Partnerships, and professo...
Baseball Captures First OVC Championship
May 20, 2026, 5:52 PM
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – With an 8-2 win over UT Martin Thursday at Roy E. Lee Field, SIUE baseball captured the program's first-ever Ohio Valley Conference Regular Season Championship.
SIUE won its 10th consecutive game to improve to 32-21 overall and 19-6 in the OVC matching the program record for OVC wins, set in 2015.
The Conference title is the first for SIUE baseball since winning the 2007 Great Lakes Valley Conference regular season.
UT Martin (25-28, 10-15 OVC) took an early lead when S...
SIUE Honors Spring 2026 URCA Award Recipients for Undergraduate Research and Mentorship
May 20, 2026, 5:20 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has recognized four members of the campus community with Spring 2026 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) Awards, celebrating excellence in undergraduate research, scholarship and mentorship.
Student award recipients include Gavynn Baer, URCA Research Assistant of the Semester and Hannah Asbeck, URCA Creative Arts Assistant of the Semester. Faculty mentor award recipients are Abbey Hepner for URCA Creative Arts Mentor of the Semester ...
As Seen On Socials: SIUE Spring 2026 Commencement
May 20, 2026, 4:00 PM

Cap and gown season is here — and SIUE's social media channels are overflowing with pride, tears, and tassel-turning moments as the Class of 2026 walks across the stage.
Nearly 2,000 graduates were celebrated across six ceremonies held May 8–9 at the First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center on the Edwardsville campus — from the School of Pharmacy and School of Nursing to the Graduate School, School of Engineering, School of Business, and the College of Arts and Sciences. Each ceremony...
Eight Civic Memorial Seniors Commit to SIUE Healthcare Programs
May 19, 2026, 1:50 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s partnerships with regional school districts are building the next generation of healthcare professionals. Eight Civic Memorial High School students recently committed to SIUE programs in nursing and pharmacy during a healthcare signing ceremony in Bethalto.
SIUE’s Dual Credit program with Civic Memorial’s Medical Careers program introduces high school students to healthcare through immersive, hands-on learning and dual credit opportunities. Through co...
SIUE Launches Successful Early Advising Initiative for Incoming Students
May 18, 2026, 2:06 PM
A new advising initiative at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is already making a strong impact on incoming students before they have even arrived on campus. In its first semester, SIUE START (Students Taking Action for Registration and Transition) successfully partnered with ten local high schools and provided advising, testing and registration support to 280 students.
SIUE START was created through a partnership between the Office of First Year and Transitional Advising and the Acade...
SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School Celebrates Resilience, Community and New Beginnings for the Class of 2026
May 15, 2026, 8:00 PM

Sixteen seniors crossed the stage during Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) Commencement on Friday, May 15, celebrating a graduating class defined by resilience, adaptability and perseverance.
On a bright, breezy morning at the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus, family members, friends, faculty and staff applauded graduates as they marked the milestone together.
“As the Class of 2026, we have all experienced a variety of changes,” said...
Sinan Onal, PhD, Joins First-Ever Illinois Innovation Network Fellows Cohort
May 14, 2026, 5:15 PM
At a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping higher education, Sinan Onal, PhD, chair of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Industrial Engineering Department is helping lead the conversation on how universities can rethink teaching and learning in the AI era. Onal has been selected as one of 14 fellows in the inaugural Illinois Innovation Network Fellows Program, a new initiative connecting faculty leaders from 12 public universities across Illinois to advance research co...
SIUE Learning Resource Center Hosts Fire Safety Program with East St. Louis Fire Department
May 14, 2026, 4:10 PM

Children gather around firefighters from the East St. Louis Fire Department during a hands-on fire safety program at SIUE’s Learning Resource Center.
In honor of International Firefighters’ Day, the SIUE Learning Resource Center recently hosted the East St. Louis Fire Department for a hands-on fire safety program with young learners. The event created an interactive and welcoming space for young learners to explore fire safety in a way that felt exciting and approachable.
Firefighters guide...
SIUE Celebrates Tenth Annual Golden Graduates Reunion
May 13, 2026, 3:44 PM

In its tenth-year celebration of alumni who earned their degree 50 or more years ago, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville hosted the 1976 class of Golden Graduates return to campus spring commencement weekend May 8-9. The annual reunion is a milestone that offers alumni an opportunity to reflect on how far they have come, some of whom say due to their time at SIUE.
The celebration kicked off with a luncheon where Golden Graduates reconnected with former classmates, followed by the highlight...
SIUE Expands Accessible Navigation with NaviLens Technology
May 12, 2026, 3:30 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has expanded accessibility through the implementation of NaviLens, a smartphone-based wayfinding system designed to support blind and low vision individuals with independent navigation in indoor and outdoor spaces.
This initiative is led by the Office for Accessible Campus Community & Equitable Student Support (ACCESS), SIUE’s accommodation services office. The technology uses high-density color markers that are scannable through the NaviLens app from l...
SIUE Awards 2026-2027 Hoppe Research Professor to Art and Design's Abbey Hepner
May 12, 2026, 1:55 AM
The Graduate School at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has awarded the 2026-2027 Hoppe Research Professor Award to Abbey Hepner, MFA, associate professor and area head of photography and digital media in the College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Art and Design.
The Hoppe Research Professor Award recognizes faculty members whose research or creative activities promise to make significant contributions to their fields. Recipients are expected to produce published scholarly works a...
SIUE’s Howard Rambsy II, PhD, Releases New Book, “Writing Black Panther: Ta-Nehisi Coates and Representation Struggles”
May 12, 2026, 1:00 AM

When best-selling author and cultural commentator Ta-Nehisi Coates was closing his run on the comic book “Black Panther” in May 2021, Howard Rambsy II, PhD, Distinguished Research Professor in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of English Language and Literature, was already thinking about the larger significance of Coates’s contributions to comics and Black literary culture.
“Writing Black Panther: Ta-Nehisi Coates and Representation Struggles,” Rambsy’s third book, was pub...
University Museum Students Present “Home is Where the Hearth is” Exhibition
May 11, 2026, 3:30 PM

The University Museum of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and students in the HIST 582 Practicum in Exhibit and Program Development course present “Home is Where the Hearth is: From Shelter to Sanctuary,” an original exhibition exploring the meaning of home, comfort and belonging through museum interpretation and design.
Developed in collaboration with University Museum Executive Curator Erin Vigneau-Dimick, graduate students worked directly with museum staff throughout the semester ...
SIUE’s Healthcare Informatics among Nation’s Best Online Degree Programs
May 11, 2026, 1:25 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s online Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics program has earned national recognition from OnlineMasters.com, as the eighth best in the country.
Designed for working professionals, the fully online program prepares graduates to use technology and information management strategies to improve patient outcomes and organizational decision-making.
The ranking highlights SIUE’s continued leadership in healthcare informatics education and reflects the ...
SIUE Pre-Commencement Celebrations and Awards Recognize Extraordinary Achievements
May 8, 2026, 3:25 PM

The unofficial launch of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville commencement season began with pre-commencement ceremonies hosted by campus affinity groups that celebrate extraordinary achievements by students.
As stated by the Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub, pre-commencement ceremonies celebrate the extraordinary achievements made by students who are members of traditionally minoritized groups. The ceremonies are held in collaboration with the SOAR Office, and Faculty & Staff Associa...
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski Hosts Agricultural Advisory Council Roundtable at SIUE’s NCERC
May 8, 2026, 2:44 AM

On May 6, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski of the Illinois 13th Congressional District held her quarterly Agricultural Advisory Council roundtable at National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Budzinski shared the bipartisan efforts in Washington, D.C. pertaining to the Farm Bill, Farm Aid and Fertilizer Transparency Act, of which she is an original co-sponsor. The Council, which included farmers, agricultural educators, researchers, policy adv...
Edwardsville Ranked Among Nation’s Safest College Towns in America by Research.com
May 7, 2026, 4:00 PM

The City of Edwardsville, home to the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has again been ranked nationally as one of the safest college towns in America.
In an article “50 Safest College Towns in America for 2026,” Research.com ranked Edwardsville as No.14, noting low violent crime rates, community safety and the vibrant atmosphere surrounding SIUE.
Edwardsville recorded 0.30 violent crimes and 5.77 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Rankings were determined using the lates...
Commencement Reflections: SIUE Cougar Baja Team
May 7, 2026, 11:23 AM

When Noah Spencer reminisces about some of the best times he had at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the times he hung out with the Baja club at competitions take the lead. One of their most memorable competitive outings this year was the Winter Baja—an unsanctioned competition organized for Baja teams to race their off-road vehicles against counterparts from colleges and universities across the country. The competition, hosted in January at Michigan Technological University marked t...
Dr. Alaaeldin Elsisi receives SIUE’s Vaughnie Lindsay New Investigator Award
May 6, 2026, 5:09 PM

Alaaeldin Elsisi, PhD, Department of Civil Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is the 2026 recipient of the Vaughnie Lindsay New Investigator Award in acknowledgement of his outstanding research contributions and proven record.
Elsisi is an assistant professor in the School of Engineering's (SOE) teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in structural analysis and design. His scholarly interests focus on blast-resistant structures, steel and reinforced concrete stru...
Drew Dolan, PhD, Awarded Graduate Faculty Mentor Award
May 6, 2026, 4:38 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has awarded the Graduate Faculty Mentor Award to Drew Dolan, PhD, professor and program director of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) in the Department of Public Administration and Policy Analysis. Dolan will be recognized at the Graduate School’s Fall Awards Reception in October and will receive a $500 honorarium for his outstanding contributions to graduate education.
According to the nomination from a graduate faculty peer, Dolan's dedication...
James R. Anderson Scholarship Recipient at SIUE Housing Announced
May 5, 2026, 10:19 PM
Kameron Myers has been selected as the recipient of the 2025-2026 James R. Anderson Housing Scholarship. Myers is a native of Downs, Ill. and is entering her fourth year Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Myers will be graduating with a degree in nursing in spring 2027. After graduation, Myers intends to work as a registered nurse, specializing in pediatrics or labor and delivery.
The James R. Anderson scholarship is awarded annually to an academically motivated student with a GPA of 3...
Marketplace Live Brings Family-Focused Resale Experience to Maryville
May 5, 2026, 9:55 PM
New community-driven business offers a safe, affordable space for buying and selling household items
A new locally owned business is bringing a fresh approach to resale shopping in the Metro East. Marketplace Live, founded by Jessica Billingsley, is an eco-conscious furniture and home goods store designed to provide families with an affordable and convenient place to buy and sell gently used items. Billingsley sought advice for her startup from the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC...
Alumni Spotlight - Meredith Burkart
April 30, 2026, 11:48 PM
BA Philosophy and Political Science ’08
Senior Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Halcyon Meredith
Burkart’s career in governmental affairs and cyber policy traces back to the intellectual foundation she built at SIUE. As a Meridian Scholar double-majoring in philosophy and political science, she didn’t just learn what to think — she learned how to think. That training in critical analysis and plain language communication has been one of the quiet secrets to her success.
A study a...


