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 professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the SIUE School of Pharmacy, shared the duties of giving introductory remarks from the SIU System. Each noted the significance of this accomplishment with the support of family, friends, faculty and staff as well as the System’s economic impact, as represented by the more than 45,000 jobs generated in the region.

Denise Cobb, PhD, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and academic deans led the program filled with traditions, additional award recognitions, a golden graduation and a farewell to Cem Karacal, PhD, Dean of Engineering, who is set to retire this summer.  

Chancellor Minor set the tone of SIUE’s 138th commencement by reminding attendees of the history of educational systems, and the origins of pedagogy and community. The essence of it all, he stated, is the question of “How do we help people live better lives?”

“All of the disciplines represented here today are absolutely critical for advancing our society,” said Minor, who addressed graduates of the schools of Pharmacy, Nursing, Graduate Studies, Education, Health and Human Behavior, Business, Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Watch highlights from SIUE spring commencement on YouTube. 

The celebration of students and their personal triumphs provided the weekend’s most memorable moments.

As graduates entered the auditorium during the ceremony at 2 p.m. on Friday, Tamia and Tamya Goodlow, who received their Bachelor of Nursing degrees, received a surprise visit from their eldest brother, A1C Bobby Edwards currently stationed at Laughlin AFB located in Del Rio, Texas. As the reunion unfolded, the audience inside the stadium and viewers of the livestream witnessed this special moment.

When graduate Alexander Robert Patrick, Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences, crossed the stage during the ceremony where degrees were conferred upon both College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior undergraduates at 10 a.m. on Saturday, SIUE officially conferred its 150,000 degree. Incidentally, Patrick’s grandmother graduated from SIUE in 1984 with a nursing degree.

“I am proud to share this achievement with all of the other 2026 graduates,” said Patrick. “SIUE has given me a comprehensive and meaningful education in biological sciences, largely due to the professors I have had along the way. All of my biology and chemistry professors were student-driven in their teaching and have helped me build the knowledge and confidence I need to transition into dental school.”

Patrick added, “When I reflect on my time here, I feel so grateful I had the opportunity to have my college experience be at SIUE. College has been the best four years of my life, and that is because of the people I have met, the friendships I have built, and the memories they have given me. SIUE has played a major role in shaping who I am today, both academically and personally.”

Interdisciplinary major Kayla Thole found herself fortunate to have focused her studies on psychology and sociology at a time when she needed it most. Thole returned to school after being laid off by her job. While in her first semester she experienced a high-risk pregnancy that ended tragically. She withdrew from classes to heal, then woke up one day unable to walk. She continued her education while bedridden. As Thole states, “classes were my insight into the outside world.”

Due to a medical implant in her spine, Thole was able to walk across the commencement stage to accept her bachelor’s degree, graduating magna cum laude, and in Alpha Kappa Delta Honor society for Sociology.

“I almost gave up. I don't want any student to feel that way and will continue to support students any way I can,” said Thole, who has donated financially to student support services. “I am also a part of Phi Theta Kappa carried over from Kaskaskia College. I am excited to show off my stole and cords. It's the little achievements that seem to mean the most. I received most of my cords and stole this past month and I don't think I have stopped smiling.”

Stay tuned to SIUE socials for inspiring speeches from SIUE student speakers.

“I would say to you, graduates, a college degree is not a credential that simply says you have absorbed existing knowledge in a particular discipline. It is a credential that says that you are also able to build upon it and deploy it to achieve an outcome that only a brilliant human being can,” said Minor.

“SIUE is proud of what you have accomplished, and we are deeply confident in what you will do.” 
 
PHOTOS: Graduate celebrating during SIUE spring 2026 commencement; Cem Karacal, PhD, retiring Dean of the School of Engineering; Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD; USAF A1C Bobby Edwards surprises his sisters Tamia and Tamya Goodlow, who received their Bachelor of Nursing degrees; Alexander Robert Patrick, Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences; Interdisciplinary major Kayla Thole received her bachelor's from the College of Arts and Sciences

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 10^th 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 Skyhawks' leadoff hitter TJ Grines sent the second pitch of the game over the left field fence for a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

After Cooper Eggert scored on an error to tie the score in the third, Ryan Niedzwiedz drilled a two-out two-run double to left to put the Cougars on top. Joshua Heyder followed with a two-run home run to give SIUE a 5-1 lead.  

The Skyhawks cut the lead back to 5-2 with a run in the fifth and then threatened again in the seventh.

SIUE starter Spencer Stearns worked into the seventh inning, departing with two runners on an nobody out. Joseph Martin walked the first hitter he faced then struck out Colten Payton before getting TJ Dunsford to ground into a double play.

Stearns (7-3) allowed just the two runs over six innings while striking out a season-high seven hitters. Martin didn't allow a hit in two full innings of work. He fanned two.

Heyder jump-started a three-run Cougars eighth inning with his second blast of the night to leadoff the inning. Sean Kang added an RBI single and Gage Franck brought home another run with a perfectly executed sacrifice squeeze bunt.

Easton Harris closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning, getting Andrew Lawrence to wave at strike three to end the game.

UT Martin outhit SIUE in the game 11-10. Gierer, Heyder, Kang and Ethan Willoughby all finished with two hits.

The Cougars and Skyhawks will play the second game of the series Friday at Simmons Baseball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.

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 and Annie Imboden with URCA Research Mentor of the Semester.

The awards are selected through a nomination and review process led by the URCA Board, a multidisciplinary team of 15 SIUE faculty members representing departments across the University.

Student recipients are nominated by faculty mentors, who are in-turn nominated by URCA assistants. The URCA program provides undergraduate students with opportunities to engage early in their academic careers.

“The URCA awards are a great way to recognize excellence in undergraduate research mentoring from faculty as well as undergraduate student participation in research,” said Amelia Pérez, PhD, RN, CNE, professor of family health and community health nursing and coordinator of URCA. “Two faculty mentors and two URCA assistants are selected each semester based on nominations submitted to the URCA Board. This allows opportunities for multiple faculty and students to be recognized for their work.”

Among the student recipients, Baer reflected on the collaborative impact URCA has had on his academic and professional development.

“Serving as a research assistant has been an incredible opportunity,” said Baer. “I am truly thankful for the knowledge, experience and opportunities I have gained through URCA.”

Baer also credited faculty mentors and collaborators including nominator Kimberly Ott, AuD, Steffany Chleboun, PhD, Huaibo Xin, DrPH, and fellow research team members for helping shape his confidence and growth as a future audiologist and researcher.

Research mentor Imboden was nominated by URCA Assistant Dirk Tecson, who praised her thoughtful mentorship and constructive feedback.

“The feedback not only helped me grow into a researcher but also my professional development in the hospital and in tutoring,” wrote Tescon. “Through working with her, I have become more confident in presenting my ideas in professional settings and representing our work at prestigious organizations.”

URCA assistant Asbeck was nominated by her URCA faculty mentor and co-recipient of a semester award, Abbey Hepner, MFA.

“Hannah has already seamlessly integrated what she has learned this semester into the work that she is creating for her thesis exhibition next month,” wrote Hepner. “She has produced her own liquid light images and is now helping me produce tintype frames for a large solo exhibition at the Center of Southwest Studies in Durango, Colorado.”

According to Pérez, impactful undergraduate research experiences often extend far beyond traditional classroom learning and career preparation.

“The URCA Assistant program helps prepare students for potential research and creative activities opportunities in their job after graduation, and for graduate school,” said Pérez. “Many of our URCA Assistant students have engaged in co-authoring professional presentations at conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals before graduation.”

Pérez added that former URCA assistants continue pursuing research contributions long after commencement day.

“Previous SIUE URCA Assistants have moved on to academic and professional positions after graduation where they continue their research path making an impact to society.”

The URCA program supports SIUE’s commitment to experiential learning by helping undergraduate students build professional skills, contribute to scholarly discovery and participate in meaningful mentorship relationships that extend beyond the classroom.

Learn more at siue.edu/urca.


Photo: Gavynn Baer, Abbey Hepner, Annie Imboden and Hannah Asbeck. Individual photos provided by awardees.

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 brought its own energy, its own stories, and its own proud families cheering from the stands.  

All ceremonies were livestreamed, welcoming friends and family near and far to share in the milestone moments. Across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube, the feeds told the story beautifully — candid shots of graduates in full regalia, faculty marshals leading the processional, and the powerful and transformational moment of crossing the stage.  

SIUE has now graduated more than 120,000 alumni since its founding, expanding from eight students in 1958 to eight schools offering more than 200 degree programs. This spring's class carries that legacy forward.  

Congratulations to the Class of 2026. Your Cougar community could not be more proud. 

View the Spring 2026 Commencement program and ceremony 

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Stay connected with SIUE on social media to keep up with the latest events, news, and stories!  

Photos by Howard Ash and Hunter Fridley 

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 coursework and partnerships with local healthcare organizations, students gain exposure to a variety of medical career paths and develop foundational skills through a two-part curriculum.

Of the students recognized during the signing ceremony held at the high school, seven committed to SIUE’s School of Nursing (SON) and one committed to the School of Pharmacy (SOP).

Angela Andrews, PhD, associate professor in the SON and SOP Associate Dean Jessica Kerr, PharmD, attended the Tuesday, April 21 signing event at Civic Memorial in Bethalto.

“We are excited for the dual credit program as it allows students to begin building their professional identity while discovering the many ways they can make a difference through healthcare,” said Andrews.

Angie Parish, who oversees the Medical Careers program at Civic Memorial, spoke about how the students are prepared to explore the professions.

“You have developed the compassion, empathy, integrity and heart that truly defines exceptional healthcare professionals,” said Parish. “Those qualities cannot be taught from a textbook.”

The eight newly committed students reflect a growing regional emphasis on creating early pathways into healthcare careers through collaboration between school districts, healthcare partners and higher education institutions like SIUE.

Educational administration interested in partnering with SIUE’s Early College Program for Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment may contact earlycollege@siue.edu. 

PHOTO: Jessica Kerr, PharmD, and Angela Andrews, PhD, with incoming SIUE-committed seniors at Civic Memorial High School. Photo courtesy of Andrews.

SIUE START was created through a partnership between the Office of First Year and Transitional Advising and the Academic Testing Office to help ease the transition from high school to college.

Throughout April, SIUE staff visited ten local high schools to provide placement testing, academic advising, and course registration directly on-site. By bringing these services into a familiar school environment, the program helped students complete important enrollment steps earlier and with less stress.

This early support comes at an important time for high school seniors, who are often balancing graduation activities, final coursework and future planning. Students who participated in the program were able to register for fall classes well before summer orientation, reducing uncertainty and helping them feel more prepared for college.

The initiative also allowed students to establish early connections with their advising team before arriving on campus.

Efrosini Hortis, EdD, interim Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Persistence and Success, said the focus of the program has always been to support students during a major life transition. “Our hope with SIUE START was to create a more proactive, student-centered approach to advising and testing by meeting students in an environment they trust, their own high schools, and support them early during an important transition period. Through partnerships with ten local schools, we advised and registered 280 students, completed 149 placement tests for 91 students, and supported students in taking important next steps toward orientation, enrollment, and academic planning before arriving on campus.”

Katie Green, Assistant Director for Testing Services, said the visits also helped students begin to picture themselves as future SIUE students.

“During the high school visits, it was evident as students began gathering to meet with our advisors that many of them were realizing for the first time which of their classmates were also planning to attend SIUE,” she said.

Green said that one guidance counselor shared that students felt more confident about starting college after meeting with SIUE advisors.

“Connecting those students before high school graduation, coupled with SIUE staff being initially accessible to students in an environment in which they feel more comfortable will undoubtedly ease the transition to campus,” she added.

In addition to helping students feel more prepared, SIUE START is expected to improve the summer orientation experience. With more than 250 students already advised and registered, orientation schedules can place greater focus on helping students connect with campus resources, build relationships, and learn more about university life. Advisors are also able to spend more time supporting students who may need additional assistance or have more complex advising questions.

The initiative also strengthened relationships between SIUE and regional high schools. School counselors and administrators worked closely with SIUE staff to coordinate visits and support participating students. These partnerships created a more hands-on and collaborative approach to helping students transition successfully to college.

Hortis emphasized the importance of those relationships, saying, “This work would not have been possible without the work of our academic advisors, support and coordination of our campus partners and especially the high school counselors whose commitment and coordination were crucial for the program. The response from schools and students has been positive, with strong interest in continuing and expanding the program.”

Interim Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management Kevin Wathen, EdD, believes the program demonstrates the value of removing obstacles early in the college process. “The START program has been a great example of solving challenges before they become barriers for students,” he said. “Imagine being able to leave high school already holding your college schedule while still surrounded by your peers, counselors, and support systems. That is a powerful moment for students and families.”

Following the success of the pilot program, SIUE hopes to expand SIUE START in future years to reach more schools and support even more students.

University leaders see the initiative as an important strategy for improving student preparedness, increasing confidence, and helping students feel connected before their first day on campus. Wathen added, “We continue preparing for larger incoming classes and the opportunities that come with that growth.”

PHOTOS: SIUE START staff engage with students at Edwardsville High School  

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 valedictorian Anthony Ayers. “We learned to adapt every single year.”

Ayers encouraged his classmates to recognize the significance of their accomplishment and the resilience that carried them to graduation day.

“We didn’t wait for this day to come,” Ayers said. “We worked for it, and we built it.”

Ayers, who will attend SIUE this fall as a Meridian Scholar, was recognized during the ceremony alongside fellow scholarship recipients and students honored for academic achievement and attendance.

SIUE Police Sgt. and school resource officer Kasey Hoyd introduced Ayers to the podium and reflected on his leadership, involvement and determination. Hoyd, who served as a mentor to many CHS students during the school year, described Ayers as a student committed to excellence both inside and outside the classroom.

The ceremony also featured remarks from 2018 CHS valedictorian and East St. Louis native Lake Mitchell, founder of Lake Tax and Advisory Group, first lieutenant in the U.S. Army National Guard and a doctoral student pursuing a degree in industrial engineering and operations research.

Mitchell encouraged graduates to make intentional decisions about their futures and to remain grounded in possibility rather than limitation. During her address, she reflected on overcoming fear, trusting the decisions that shape a person’s future and refusing to allow statistics or circumstances to define success.

“Where you’re from is not your limitation, it is your origin story,” said Mitchell. “Origin stories don’t disqualify you, they fuel you.”
Mitchell also encouraged graduates to remain intentional about the people, information and influences they allow into their lives, emphasizing the importance of faith, mentorship and personal accountability.

A CHS longstanding tradition at commencement is the Hope Rope presentation, an interactive part of the ceremony where students are tasked with identifying accountability partners and CHS mentors by sharing threads of woven yarn. The presentation symbolizes the lifelong support systems these students will carry with them beyond graduation.

During the presentation, class sponsors Bridget Nelson and Marquita Holton reminded graduates that even as they move into the next phase of their lives, they remain connected to the community and relationships built during their years at CHS.

“As your class sponsors, we’ve had the privilege of watching you grow into leaders, creators, teammates and young adults ready to make your mark on the world,” said Nelson during the ceremony.

For many students and families, the day represented not only academic achievement, but also perseverance through personal and collective challenges. The outdoor ceremony reflected this sentiment as wind swept across the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus, and graduates shielded their caps and gowns as the late morning sun intensified overhead.

Graduate Nazara Adams, who fought back tears as she collected her diploma, spoke on the bond shared by the Class of 2026.

“We were always there for each other, and we didn’t give up,” said Adams.

Adams, the first graduate to cross the stage during the ceremony, also shared the significance of the milestone for her family.

“I’m the oldest child,” she said. “I’m the first to graduate in two generations, and we’re all very proud.”

Sheila Caldwell, the SIU Vice President for Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion reflected on the role CHS continues to play in preparing students from East St. Louis and surrounding communities for success beyond high school.

“These types of programs are very important because they show the pipeline, strengthen community ties and also show the possibilities,” said Caldwell. “Just being able to show the type of impact we’re able to make throughout the region is very powerful.”

As graduates turned their tassels from right to left, applause roared in celebration of a class defined by adaptability, encouragement and hope for what comes next.

“We might be small, but we’re mighty,” said director and principal Kimberly Allen.

The CHS Class of 2026

• Nazara Adams
• Kenard Alverson
• Keya Anderson
• Anthony Ayers
• Jayda Batee
• Kashayla Campbell
• Akia Cotton
• Myron Floore
• Marquon Hunter
• Breon Johnson-Cavitt
• Destiny Jones
• Everett Newbern
• Jamilah Reeves
• Louise Rogers
• Lavont Suggs
• Rosie Washington

Photos by Howard Ash.

Correction: A previous version of this story misattributed a quotation to Marquita Holton. The proper attribution should be Bridget Nelson. The error has been corrected and the pressroom apologizes for this oversight.

His project, A Cross-IIN Faculty Development Initiative on AI-Enhanced, Competency-Based Teaching, tackles a growing challenge facing educators nationwide: how to meaningfully assess student learning now that -AI tools can generate polished assignments in seconds.

“Students are using AI tools constantly, and traditional assessment was never designed for that,” said Onal. “Most of what we grade is a final product, and AI can now produce a convincing version of all of it. That does not mean students are not learning, but it does mean we can no longer tell from the product alone whether they did.”

Rather than focusing solely on final assignments, competency-based assessment emphasizes the learning process by asking students to explain their reasoning, defend decisions and demonstrate mastery over time. Onal’s project explores how AI itself can help make that approach more practical for faculty. Unlike most faculty development efforts that happen within a single institution, this project draws on perspectives from faculty volunteers across multiple IIN hub institutions spanning engineering, business, health sciences, education, and social sciences, whose input and feedback shape the content throughout the development process. The module will be built in a format that any IIN campus can load directly into their existing learning management system, whether Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, or another platform, with no technical barriers.

“AI can handle a lot of the logistical load that makes competency-based education feel impractical,” he explained. “That frees faculty to focus on the part that matters, figuring out whether a student actually understands the work.”

The fellowship aligns closely with Onal’s recent work at SIUE, including the launch of IS 399, a course titled Intelligent Prompting: Using GenAI for Creative and Analytical Thinking. The interdisciplinary curriculum has already attracted strong student interest, with more than 60 students registered for the upcoming term.

“The course reflects the same conviction that drives this fellowship project,” Onal said. “Students need practical exposure to AI tools, and faculty need real support to teach with them responsibly and effectively.”

Looking ahead, Onal hopes the initiative will produce reusable training resources that campuses across Illinois can adopt and adapt, while also encouraging long-term collaboration among faculty navigating the rapid -changing landscape of AI in education.

PHOTO: SIUE’s Sinan Onal, PhD, selected as one of 14 fellows in the inaugural Illinois Innovation Network Fellows Program

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 guided the children through important safety steps to take in the event of a fire at home, including how to respond, where to go, and who to call for help. The preschoolers were especially excited to see a fire truck up close and engage directly with firefighters, asking thoughtful questions about their daily responsibilities and experiences on the job.

“Events like this are an important part of early learning,” said LRC Program Coordinator Amber Davis, LSW. “They help children build an understanding of safety while also introducing them to trusted community helpers. When children have positive, early interactions with firefighters, it can reduce fear in emergency situations and help them respond more calmly. It also opens the door to thinking about future careers and the impact of service-oriented professions.”

The Learning Resource Center remains committed to creating meaningful experiences that connect youth with community partners while fostering safety awareness, curiosity and inspiration.

Photos by Amber Davis.

Photos: SIUE Golden Graduates celebrated a 50-year milestone during commencement weekend, May 8-9

Debra Pitts ’75 and ’83 being honored during the SIUE commencement ceremony.  

SIUE Professor Emeritus Prince Wells III ’76 smiles broadly during the SIUE commencement ceremony.

Joseph Norris ’75 with his grandson Clifton Kralewski

Patrick Horne ’76 being honored during the SIUE commencement ceremony.  

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 long distances, and wide angles and without requiring precise camera focus. It provides real-time audio guidance and haptic feedback to help users navigate campus spaces more independently.

“To put it simply, NaviLens is an accessible wayfinding app for smartphones,” said Dominic Dorsey, EdD, Director of ACCESS. “On a campus as large as SIUE where wayfinding can even be an issue for sighted folks, this bridges the gap by helping low vision students exercise the same freedom and independence walking to and from class, navigating spaces like dining and center court and making their way safely back to their residence halls.”

The system allows users to scan surrounding environments and receive information about nearby spaces including restrooms, elevators, emergency exits, tornado shelters and dining locations. NaviLens codes can also connect users to menus, websites and additional digital resources, such as when guests are orienting themselves within the food court in the Morris University Center (MUC).

“With NaviLens, users can scan the area and receive audio feedback and haptic support regarding what options are in the space and how to navigate to them,” said Dorsey. “Once they select a location, they can then click on the link for a selected NaviLens code and receive menu information previously inaccessible on monitors and screens. This levels the playing field significantly.”

The University has begun implementing NaviLens in high-traffic campus locations including the MUC, Student Success Center and Evergreen Hall, where many visually impaired students reside. ACCESS plans to continue expanding the system into additional academic and administrative buildings.

According to Dorsey, this support reflects a broader commitment to universal design and creating campus environments that are accessible for all users.

“As with most things, universal design improves access for everyone,” said Dorsey. “For anyone who has been frustrated trying to use their phone to scan a QR code, align the yellow hash marks and click a link, NaviLens ‘snaps’ to their codes with minimal effort and at a distance.”

Leighann Fuller, coordinator of Visually Impaired Services at SIUE, said the technology represents more than convenience for students navigating campus.

“The need to provide independence to all populations is for sure there, and as someone who was sighted, this is the most frustrating part of being blind—the loss of autonomy and independence with navigation,” said Fuller. “Many of us get very excited when we can navigate to a place, shop, or do just about anything independently. It is empowering.”

ACCESS has also begun discussions with Madison County Transit about possible future NaviLens integrations involving bus stops and transit systems to support more independent travel throughout the surrounding community.

“There’s a saying in the disability community, ‘nothing about us without us,’” said Dorsey. “We’ve worked with our visually impaired student population to test areas and provide feedback along the way so we’re not just arbitrarily plastering stickers for performative purposes. They’re partners in the process.”

To learn more about NaviLens implementation at SIUE, explore Accessible Wayfinding on the ACCESS webpage.

Visit a recap of 2026 ACCESS ceremonies and annual Ed Roberts Celebration.

Photos by Howard Ash.

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 and secure external funding.

Hepner's artistic practice examines health, technology, and humanity’s relationship with place through photography, video, electronic, and installation-based work. She holds an MFA in photography from the University of New Mexico and dual bachelor's degrees in studio art and psychology from the University of Utah.

“I am honored to receive the Hoppe Research Professor Award,” said Hepner. “This recognition affirms the importance of creative practice as rigorous research, and it is such a delight to be chosen. The award supports the completion of a project on the erased town of Uravan, Colorado.”

“Reconstructing Uravan” centers on storytelling, memory and environmental history. The project that features the former uranium mining town in southwestern Colorado has grown through collaboration with students, archivists, historians, and former residents, according to Hepner.

Hepner added, “Uravan shaped history and science, supplying Marie Curie with radium in the 1920s before becoming a uranium processing site tied to U.S. Cold War atomic programs. At its peak, nearly 1,000 residents lived and worked there before the town was buried and designated a Superfund site in the 1980s. Though physically erased, Uravan’s environmental and human legacies persist.”

The project centers on oral history recordings and wet plate collodion tintype portraits of former residents. This nineteenth-century photographic process emerged when mining activity in the U.S. was at its peak, aligning the process with extractive economies and industrial labor.

Developed in dialogue with the Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College, the tintypes are reintroduced into archival collections.

“These testimonies complicate official records and foreground lived experience as critical evidence. The resulting counter-archive remains open and layered, holding memory, testimony, and material trace in tension,” Hepner said.

“This year marks 40 years since Uravan was buried, and my project unearths this critical history, reflecting the ongoing nuclear legacy of the Manhattan Project. The story of Uravan stands as a testament to community resilience and serves as a warning for the future. As conversations on energy, climate change, and technological infrastructure grow urgent, storytelling is a powerful tool that can move people to make meaningful changes.”

Hepner’s work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Mt. Rokko International Photography Festival in Japan, SITE Santa Fe, the University of Buffalo Art Galleries, the Krannert Art Museum, and the Noorderlicht Photo festival in the Netherlands. She has participated in residencies at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Canada, and her work has been featured in publications such as Hyperallergic, Lenscratch, Ars Technica, Artillery Magazine, and Fraction Magazine.

Hepner has mounted nine solo exhibitions in galleries across the United States and participated in numerous group exhibitions both nationally and internationally. Her work is included in permanent collections such as the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Duke University and the University of California, Irvine, College of Health Sciences.

In 2021, Hepner published the book "The Light at the End of History: Reacting to Nuclear Impact," which explores the legacy of nuclear development in the western United States, drawing from her family's history in regions affected by nuclear weapons production and testing.

As mentioned, the Hoppe Award will support the completion of “Reconstructing Uravan,” Hepner's decade-long project on Uravan.  The project will culminate in June 2027 with a book publication and exhibition at the Center of Southwest Studies museum.

“Hepner’s work exemplifies the power of contemporary art and research to recover histories that might otherwise disappear from public memory,” said Larry LaFond, PhD, Chair of the Department of Art and Design. “Her Uravan project demonstrates a remarkable combination of scholarly rigor, visual sensitivity, and deep human engagement with communities shaped by the long aftermath of extraction and displacement.”

In 2022, Hepner received a $15,000 fellowship from the Illinois Arts Council and was named a Silver List Artist by the Silver Eye Center for Photography.

She recently served on the Society for Photographic Education Board of Directors from 2020 to 2025 and has contributed to publications including "Seeing 2020: Photography Under Quarantine" and Thomas Werner's "The Business of Fine Art Photography."

PHOTO:  Abbey Hepner, MFA, winner of the 2026-2027 Hoppe Research Professor Award 

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 published this May by Bloomsbury Academic. The book explores Coates’s impact on Marvel Comics while also examining larger questions about African American writers and representations of Black people in contemporary popular culture.

“Coates’s work on ‘Black Panther’ expanded conversations about race, representation and Black storytelling within comic books and popular culture,” wrote Rambsy. “I was interested in how a journalist and notable author became a comic book writer whose remarkable reception helped shape discussions about African American artistic production.”

Every semester since 2018, Rambsy has co-taught a diversity and comic book course with writing center director Stephyn Phillips. For his part of the course, Rambsy continually covered aspects of Coates’s work on “Black Panther.”

As Rambsy studied and taught African American literature, he became fascinated with questions concerning cultural visibility and the ways Black writers gain broader audiences across different media. He blended that scholarly interest with his longtime enthusiasm for comic books and study of the literary genre.

“Coates produced a landmark run on ‘Black Panther,’” he explained. “His stature as a major Black writer led to extensive media attention that contributed to increasing recognition for Black writers in comics.”

Rambsy is especially excited about the broader readership opportunities made possible by his publisher.

“For one, Bloomsbury made the price slightly lower than most academic titles so that it will be available in bookstores and to a larger number of readers,” he said. “The other thing they did was make the book available as an audiobook. That means that readers too busy to read the print version, or who simply enjoy audiobooks, can now listen.”

Rambsy hopes the book will appeal to readers interested in African American literature, comic books, media studies and contemporary popular culture.

PHOTOS: Howard Rambsy II, PhD, Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature; “Writing Black Panther: Ta-Nehisi Coates and Representation Struggles,” published by Bloomsbury Academic

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 to research, design and install the exhibition as part of the Museum Studies Post-Baccalaureate and History master’s degree programs.

"Student curators worked to research objects from the University Museum's collections and investigate concepts through scholarly research about the meaning of home," said Vigneau-Dimick. "Their inquiry created the overarching theme that 'home' is not just a house, but it is a place shaped by culture and ritual where humans care for themselves and others. It is a place of protection and reflection, the foundation for everything that makes us human."

An opening reception was held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7 in the Fuller Dome Gallery at the Center for Spirituality and Sustainability. The exhibition will remain on display through Friday, June 12. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Photos: Composite imagery of the "Home is Where the Hearth is Exhibit in the Fuller Dome Gallery. Photos by S.M. Talha.

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 program’s longstanding commitment to preparing professionals to lead in the rapidly evolving intersection of healthcare, technology and data management.

“Our fully online Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics program had its first graduating class in 2013,” said Frank Lyerla, PhD, RN, professor and director of the Healthcare Informatics graduate program in the School of Nursing. “Since then, the program has reached several milestones including national recognition as a top program in the categories of affordability, value and overall.”

OnlineMasters.com evaluates graduate programs across the country based on factors including academic quality, affordability, student outcomes and reputation. SIUE’s placement among the top 10 programs nationwide reflects both the quality of instruction and the growing demand for healthcare informatics professionals equipped to navigate increasingly complex healthcare systems.

Another milestone for the program came in 2020 when it earned accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), a distinction recognizing excellence in health informatics education.

Lyerla said the program’s interdisciplinary partnerships have also helped expand opportunities for students.

“Our program offers a dual majors degree option with the Healthcare and Nursing Administration program as well as a concurrent degrees option with the School of Pharmacy,” said Lyerla. “The success is credited to the dedication and expertise of our faculty, partnerships, and the support and leadership of the SIUE staff and administration.”

“Our mission is to prepare students to be innovative leaders in health informatics with the ability to use technology and manage information to achieve industry objectives and improve outcomes,” said Lyerla.

The recognition continues a strong tradition of national rankings and accolades for SIUE, reinforcing the University’s commitment to accessible, high-quality graduate education that meets workforce needs in an evolving world.

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 Associations.

One week of Kimmel Celebrations began on April 27: 

• Hispanic/Latin@/x Graduation Celebration
• Black Graduation Celebration
• AAPI/APIDA Graduation Celebration
• Lavender Graduation Celebration
• Non-Traditional Student Graduation Celebration  
   

The full list of pre-commencement ceremonies also includes the following: 

• International Student Graduation Celebration
• Military and Veteran Graduation Celebration
• ACCESS Gateway Graduation Celebration  
   

As with all celebrations, building community is the theme.  
 
“Gateway is a graduation ceremony that celebrates students who’ve had to overcome extra barriers, emphasizing that they’re prepared to navigate real-world challenges and move forward after graduation with confidence,” said Dominic Dorsey, EdD, Director of Accessible Campus Community and Equitable Student Support (ACCESS).

ACCESS is dedicated to achieving and promoting an accessible campus community to ensure that students of all abilities receive appropriate accommodations and equal opportunity to be successful at SIUE. The office has incorporated strategies such as NaviLens codes for ease in navigating popular campus spaces, such as Morris University Center (MUC), and providing training from Illinois Assistive Technology Program for meal prep in the kitchen.

The ACCESS Gateway Graduation Celebration occurred just weeks after their seventh annual Ed Roberts Celebration, which honors the efforts of intentional inclusive practices. The awards ceremony was named after the late disability rights activist Ed Roberts, the first wheelchair user to attend University of California, Berkeley.

During the ceremony, organizers encouraged everyone to be a champion of accessibility. Winners included the following: 

• Defender of Equity Award for Faculty – Jennifer Stock, Instructor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics
• Defender of Equity Award for Staff – The entire team of Instructional Design and Learning Technologies
• Messenger of Inclusion Award (Student) – Madison Proctor, undergraduate in education

 
As stated by student speakers in the event, the campus of SIUE has much more room for improvement but has made significant progress as evidenced by a growing population of those who use accommodations.

Award winner Maddie Proctor made a note of sharing her observations. “It's really lovely to see. You can tell that more students with disabilities are coming to campus, are going here, and that's just visible disabilities. That's not even talking about all the invisible disabilities, all the people you don't know are different.”

She added, “I grew up around other disabled people, and I got used to the community, and I didn't have that here until I started pushing for accessibility and creating opportunities for students to come here and be involved. And I just love to see it.”

“This is what independence feels like. I it, living on campus and being a campus community member, I really do feel like an equal member of society,” Kaitlyn Hall, a graduate student in Social Work, has attended SIUE for five years and is convinced campus administrators have addressed a number of concerns and are open to doing much more. “Thanks to ACCESS and just all of the ways that we're promoting awareness and empathy, I feel that the campus community has come a long way.” 
 
Pre-commencement ceremony photos by Howard Ash 

Ed Roberts awardee Madison Proctor and ACCESS Director Dominic Dorsey, EdD 
 

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 advisors and global consultants, participated in the conversation around agricultural legislation and industry news.

The Congresswoman currently serves as Vice Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.

“One good thing for Madison County is having a nationally recognized and premier research institute, NCERC, right here, where Congresswoman Budzinski can hear directly from her constituents,” said NCERC Executive Director, Praveen V. Vadlani, PhD, MBA. “Beyond research, NCERC receives active support from a number of stakeholders. Our commitment to biofuel innovation is evident when we have the opportunity to host roundtable discussions such as this one.”

NCERC at SIUE is a nationally recognized research center dedicated to the development and commercialization of biotechnologies. Their unique research laboratories house bench- to demonstration-scale bioreactors and pretreatment and downstream processing equipment, making it the perfect partner to companies in the biotechnology industry. Through their contractual research services, NCERC has played an instrumental role in commercializing more than 80 products that are now used in the commercial marketplace. In addition to its research and development services, NCERC leverages its experienced staff and unique facility to provide a variety of workforce training and education initiatives to train the next generation of bioeconomy professionals. For more information, contact Rebecca Damuth at RDamuth@EthanolResearch.com or visit www.EthanolResearch.com.

PHOTO: Yanhong Zhang, PhD, NCERC Director of Research, Justin Moore, IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) New Uses Research and Biofuels Manager, Rod Weinzierl, ICGA Executive Director, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, Christopher Slaten, PhD, SIUE Associate Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, Praveen V. Vadlani, PhD, MBA, NCERC Executive Director

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 latest available FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data and U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.

“Being named the 14th safest college town reflects the strong partnership between SIUE and the City of Edwardsville,” said SIUE Police Chief David Goodwin. “This recognition underscores what we see every day— a community where engaged residents, campus partners and dedicated law enforcement work side-by-side to create a safe, supportive environment for our students and community.”

The report touched on Edwardsville’s blend of educational opportunities, cultural amenities and community engagement as contributing factors to its continued recognition as one of the safest college towns in the country. It joins the ranks of other notable college towns like Wellesley, Amherst and Princeton.

“Edwardsville is a vibrant, terrific community and SIUE is a vital part of what makes this such a great place to live and to enjoy a fulfilling college experience,” said Major Mike Lybarger of the Edwardsville Police Department. “Protecting and serving our citizens and students is the highest priority for us.”

This is not the first time SIUE and Edwardsville have received national recognition for safety. Previous rankings have consistently highlighted the partnership between the University and the Edwardsville community, as well as opportunities to provide a secure and supportive environment for students, faculty, staff and guests.

As SIUE prepares to celebrate commencement for its Spring 2026 cohort on Friday and Saturday, May 8-9, the recognition reflects the environment many students and families experience throughout their time on campus.

Learn more about SIUE’s Points of Pride. For the full rankings, visit Research.com.

Photo by Howard Ash.

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 structures, sustainable materials, advanced composite materials, strengthening and advanced computational methods.

"It is really great to get a prestigious award like this from the institution and to realize that my work in research is appreciated by the University," he said. "Awards like this one give a big reflection on networking with multiple institutions for the project, enhancing the opportunities that they continue to work with us."

Over the past five years, Dr. Alaa Elsisi has emerged as a dynamic force in structural engineering research, securing million-dollar grants in competitive funding through his roles at SIUE and the University of Missouri (MU).

Elsisi, a Licensed Professional Engineer (PE), conducts research at SIUE that centers on three interconnected areas in structural applications—the first being his research on the effect and mitigation of extreme hazards on structures such as seismic and blast loadings. He has several publications on this topic, with projects supported by multi-million-dollar grants from the U.S. Army ($2 millions as a Co-PI) and U.S. Air Force ($3 millions as Primary Personnel).

The second branch focuses on using new and sustainable materials.

"Sustainability is a big issue now and protecting our environment is very important," Elsisi said. "There are a lot of waste materials that we can implement that can be useful in our buildings, like the crumb rubber, produced by grinding used tires, which can be embedded into concrete to improve thermal insulation and ductility while simultaneously diverting the material from landfills. This will solve a lot of problems—we use them as structural elements and at the same time we get rid of them."

Elsisi's interests also include advanced and new material such as laminated composite materials, highlighting how these high-performance materials can be integrated into building systems to improve resistance to environmental and chemical attack.

The third branch of his research focuses on computational mechanics and numerical methods, developing tools that allow for more accurate modelling and design structures to ensure safety. "When I came to SIUE in 2022, I had very clear research plans and projects, shaped by my previous postdoctoral and research faculty experience," he noted. Since arriving, Elsisi has secured multiple external and internal grants of a total of $425,000 ($280,000 shared credit), including a Research Equipment and Tools Funding Program worth $55,000 for laboratory equipment renewal in 2024 and two STEP grants worth $16,000 each in 2024 and 2025. Additionally, he received an external funding of $175,000 from the Missouri Department of Transportation to enhance the bridge column design.

He lauded the SIUE Graduate School and SOE for making that progress possible.

"Without the support from the school, we are not able to do much," Elsisi said. "I feel so appreciative. The support from the department and the Graduate School helped me to finish proposals very quickly, submit them and get them awarded."

Elsisi recently received the 2026 SOE Teaching Award for excellence in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, building two new courses serving students’ research, and upgrading the curriculum of existing courses.

Elsisi also reflected on the student participation in the research works and how it has helped the entire department progress. "As a faculty member, I believe our role is not only to do research and develop new things—we need to transfer our knowledge to students. I feel really happy to help them finish their thesis, perform successful research, publish papers and participate in national and international conferences."

Looking forward, Elsisi recently presented his findings at the 2026 Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) Structures Congress in Boston, MA, where he chaired a session on blast engineering and the performance of buildings subjected to blast loading.  

About the Vaughnie Lindsay New Investigator Award 
Stephen Hansen, PhD, faculty emeritus, established the Lindsay Research Professorship Endowment that funds the award in honor of Vaughnie Lindsay, who served as graduate dean from 1973-1986. Lindsay was responsible for creating much of the infrastructure that supports faculty research and scholarly activity at SIUE. Faculty and emeriti faculty at the time of the award’s conception donated the funds to endow the award. 

Those wishing to help support new investigators through the award may donate to the Graduate School. 

PHOTO: (L-R) Christopher Slaten, PhD, Associate Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, Alaaeldin Elsisi, PhD, Department of Civil Engineering, Sandra Doreson, daughter of the late Dr. Vaughnie Lindsay, and Denise Cobb, PhD, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs