Happy Fall from the College of Education at Illinois! The fall months on campus are always exhilarating, and 2025 certainly has not disappointed so far! As the stories in this newsletter share, we continue to be a center of growth and opportunity for our students, faculty and staff.
In August we welcomed 240 first-year Education students, our largest class in more than 50 years and a 20% increase from fall 2024. The university also set new records, with over 9,000 first-year students contributing to a record-breaking enrollment of more than 60,000 total students for 2025.
Twelve faculty members joined Education at Illinois this fall, bringing their expertise to our top-ranked programs. And finally, the College of Education Office of Advancement is very excited to introduce two new team members: Jenell Hironimus, assistant director of stewardship and advancement communications, and Nikki Duge, office administrator. Both Jenell and Nikki are looking forward to connecting with Education alumni and friends in the coming year.
While we welcome new faces and look ahead to next chapters, we remember our past leaders whose impact and innovation have shaped the College of Education. We are saddened by the recent passing of Mildred Barnes Griggs, former dean of the College of Education and a legend in the field of education. Dr. Griggs was the first dean I worked for in the College of Education and she showcased true leadership. Her passion for education and her relentless pursuit of excellence for the College is memorable. She will be greatly missed.
Homecoming Week 2025 was a huge success—from Education events like our Legends Book Talk and Goldstick Family Lecture to the Illini football team's victory—and there are more opportunities to engage this fall. Join us in person or on Zoom on October 8 to hear about innovative AI technologies that transform instruction and improve learning at our Dean's Distinguished Lecture.
Please reach out to connect with us!
Yours for Illinois,
Heather Zorn
Assistant Dean for Advancement
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