Illinois International News
Illinois International News is a collection of globally-focused blogs and stories from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

  • Illinois recognized by NAFSA for Excellence in Campus Internationalization

    by Marta SchneiderFeb 10, 2026 12:30 pm

    The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has been named one of five U.S. institutions to receive the 2026 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization, a national distinction recognizing excellence in embedding global engagement across teaching, research, and public engagement. Named after the late Senator Paul Simon of Illinois, the awards celebrate outstanding commitment and accomplishment in campus internationalization.

    Institutions selected for the Simon Awards will be featured in NAFSA's annual report Internationalizing the Campus: Profiles of Success at Colleges and Universities, to be published this fall, and honored during NAFSA’s 2026 Annual Conference & Expo this spring. To learn more about NAFSA’s Senator Paul Simon Awards, visit nafsa.org/SimonAward.

  • BRIDGE Signature Initiative expands to advance education and research global partnerships

    by Analicia HaynesJan 27, 2026 5:00 pm

    US-UK university partnership explores fresh opportunities in Education Access and Equity – including recruiting second cohort of Global South Fellows.

  • Four Questions with Colleen Murphy, Interim Associate Chancellor and Vice Provost for Global Affairs & Strategies Designate

    by Marta SchneiderJan 26, 2026 12:00 pm

    Colleen Murphy, Ph.D., is the Interim Associate Chancellor and Vice Provost for Global Affairs & Strategies Designate, a Provost Fellow in the Office of the Provost, and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Roger & Stephany Joslin Professor of Law in the College of Law. In this short interview, Dr. Murphy shares her reflections and vision regarding Illinois International's current opportunities to support global engagement at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

  • University of Illinois System, I-MMÁS to host back-to-back online symposiums in late January

    by Staff ReportJan 22, 2026 3:00 pm

    The University of Illinois System and the Illinois Mexican & Mexican American Students Initiative (I-MMÁS) program will be hosting two online symposiums on Jan. 28 and Jan. 29.

  • Bridging Borders Over Birds: Campus collaboration brings COMEXUS-sponsored graduate program to Illinois

    by Analicia HaynesJan 20, 2026 3:30 pm

    URBANA, Ill. — Global Education and Training partnered with the Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences to host three graduate students from Oaxaca, Mexico in a short research program sponsored by The United States - Mexico Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange (COMEXUS).  

  • Illinois and the University of Birmingham open annual call for proposals for BRIDGE Seed Fund

    by Marta SchneiderJan 9, 2026 11:45 am

    The call for proposals is now open for the BRIDGE Seed Fund, which provides funding to advance the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s research and engagement missions in collaboration with the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.

  • Fulbright Spotlight: I-MMÁS brings first COMEXUS Mexican Studies Chair to Illinois, UIS

    by Analicia HaynesJan 8, 2026 12:15 pm

    Francisco Javier Ramírez Treviño, a full-time professor and researcher (Professor-Researcher Titular A) at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM-A) in Mexico, was the inaugural chairholder and taught at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) during the fall 2025 semester.

  • Multinational collaboration shines in international sustainability competition

    by Marta SchneiderDec 8, 2025 7:00 pm

    Students from around the world gathered online for the fifth annual Reimagine Our Future sustainability competition, an international initiative co-founded at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and now drawing growing participation through global partnerships.

  • ISSS recognizes campus partners, colleagues for outstanding service, dedication to international education

    by Marta SchneiderDec 1, 2025 5:15 pm

    International Student and Scholar Services will host their annual awards ceremony on Dec. 3 to honor the remarkable dedication, exceptional service, and significant contributions made by campus and community members in support of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s international population.

  • 'Place Making and Rural Tourism in China' wraps up transdisciplinary project

    by Analicia HaynesDec 1, 2025 3:15 pm

    One of two projects funded by the transdisciplinary grant program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is wrapping up an extensive and collaborative research, planning, and design process.  

  • Inaugural conference goes 'beyond borders' for collaboration on mental health research and services

    by Analicia HaynesDec 1, 2025 8:00 am

    The Beyond Borders: Global Collaborations for Mental Health Research and Services conference connected more than 200 students, scholars, and practitioners, both in person and online, over two days of open dialogue regarding mental health.  

    This first-of-its-kind event, which took place Oct. 9-10, was one of 11 projects funded by the Vision 2030 Global Strategy Implementation Grant, which provides funding to support activities and/or programs across campus that seek to specifically address one or more actions under the priorities outlined in strategy. The grant is funded by the Office of the Provost and administratively supported by Illinois International.    

  • Illinois remains a leading destination for international student enrollment, sees increase in study abroad participation

    by Marta SchneiderNov 26, 2025 3:15 pm

    The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is once again a top destination for international students, according to data from this year’s Open Doors report. The report, released on Nov. 17 by the Institute of International Education (IIE), ranks Illinois second in the nation among public universities for the most international students.

  • Mortenson Center Associates Program 'poised for impact' in 2026; applications accepted until Nov. 21

    by Analicia HaynesNov 14, 2025 10:45 am

    The Mortenson Center for International Library Programs is accepting applications for the 2026 Mortenson Center Associates Program until Nov. 21.  

    This program will offer individuals working in a library or information services setting outside the United States an opportunity to explore critical issues and trends in the library field and engage with librarians implementing cutting-edgeprograms and services.  

  • Global South Fellow describes research; gives thanks to mentorship received during fellowship

    by Analicia HaynesNov 3, 2025 9:45 am

    Elsa Zawedde, a doctoral candidate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's College of Law, was one of the first individuals to receive a BRIDGE Global South Fellowship. In this two-part series, she explains how the fellowship helped her develop her research. She also dives into what she's working on and how, if implemented, it would change the way law schools develop future lawyers.

  • BRIDGE Global South Fellow defines cultural humility, highlights its importance in law school teaching

    by Analicia HaynesOct 27, 2025 3:00 pm

    Elsa Zawedde, a doctoral candidate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's College of Law, was one of the first individuals to receive a BRIDGE Global South Fellowship. In this two-part series, she explains how the fellowship helped her develop her research. She also dives into what she's working on and how, if implemented, it would change the way law schools develop future lawyers.