University of Illinois at Springfield

University of Illinois at Springfield is a public university located in Springfield, Illinois, and is a member of the University of Illinois System. The university was established in 1969 as Sangamon State University, and was later renamed in 1995 to its current name, joining the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and University of Illinois at Chicago as part of the University of Illinois System. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university is also a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges.

● History

The history of the university dates back to 1969, when it was established as Sangamon State University by the Illinois General Assembly. The university was created to serve the higher education needs of the Springfield, Illinois area, and was initially located in a temporary facility in Springfield, Illinois. In 1970, the university moved to its current location, and began to expand its academic programs and facilities. In 1995, the university was renamed to its current name, and became a member of the University of Illinois System, joining the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and University of Illinois at Chicago. The university has since continued to grow and expand, with the addition of new academic programs, facilities, and research centers, including the Center for State Policy and Leadership and the Institute for Illinois Public Finance.

● Academics

The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including degrees in Business Administration from the College of Business and Management, Computer Science from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Education from the College of Education and Human Services, and Public Administration from the College of Public Affairs and Administration. The university is also home to a number of research centers and institutes, including the Center for Legislative Studies and the Institute for Legal, Legislative, and Policy Studies, which are affiliated with the National Conference of State Legislatures and the American Society for Public Administration. The university's academic programs are accredited by a number of organizations, including the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, which are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

● Campus

The university's campus is located in Springfield, Illinois, and covers an area of over 700 acres. The campus is home to a number of buildings and facilities, including the Public Affairs Center, the University Hall, and the Student Life Building, which are designed to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff. The campus is also home to a number of recreational facilities, including the Recreation and Athletic Center and the Trutter Center, which offer a range of activities and programs, including National Collegiate Athletic Association-sanctioned sports and Intramural Sports. The university's campus is also located near a number of other educational institutions, including Lincoln Land Community College and Robert Morris University Illinois.

● Student-Life

The university offers a range of student life programs and activities, including over 80 student organizations and clubs, such as the Student Government Association and the University of Illinois at Springfield Student Activities Committee, which are affiliated with the National Student Leadership Council and the American Student Government Association. The university also offers a range of recreational programs and activities, including Intramural Sports and Club Sports, which are sanctioned by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The university's student life programs are designed to provide students with a range of opportunities for involvement and engagement, and to support the university's mission of providing a high-quality education and promoting student success, in partnership with organizations such as the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the American College Personnel Association.

● Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the University of Illinois at Springfield Prairie Stars, compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II and the Great Lakes Valley Conference, which includes teams from University of Indianapolis, Bellarmine University, and Drury University. The university offers a range of athletic programs, including Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, and Volleyball, which are sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The university's athletic teams have won a number of conference and national championships, including the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship and the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship, and have produced a number of notable athletes, including players who have gone on to compete in the Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association.

● Notable_Alumni

The university has a number of notable alumni, including Richard J. Durbin, a United States Senator from Illinois, and Ray LaHood, a former United States Secretary of Transportation and United States House of Representatives member from Illinois's 18th congressional district. Other notable alumni include André Iguodala, a professional National Basketball Association player, and Dana Davis, an actress and singer, who have gone on to achieve success in their respective fields, including Hollywood and the National Football League. The university's alumni have also gone on to achieve success in a range of other fields, including Business, Education, and Government, and have included notable figures such as Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, and Rahm Emanuel, the former Mayor of Chicago and White House Chief of Staff, who have been involved with organizations such as the Democratic National Committee and the National Governors Association.

Category:Public universities in Illinois