The bridge to the Quad with the Bone Student Center in the background

Update on faculty negotiations

Provost sends message about United Faculty of ISU's Notice of Intent to Strike and ongoing bargaining

First group photo taken in the Galapagos Islands, featuring a group of students.

Roaming Redbird: Spring break study abroad opportunity offers adventure in Ecuador, Galapagos Islands 

University Marketing and Communications intern Isabel Crabtree documented her study abroad trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

woman standing next to large photo at museum

Project XV Museum in El Paso prepares to open its doors after unexpected beginning

An interest in restoring an old building led this West Coast transplant on a surprising path that now finds her in the role of founder and creator of a new museum. The Project XV Museum, at 1 Front Street in El Paso in nearby Woodford County, is still in its infancy, but a relationship with Illinois State University was formed early.

Dr. Vijay Devabhaktuni portrait

Developing a ‘mindset of passion’ drives founding chair of electrical engineering

Dr. Vijay Devabhaktuni is bringing a wealth of research, teaching, and administrative experience to his role as the inaugural chair of Illinois State University’s Department of Electrical Engineering.

A student checks his documents at the voter engagement table in the Bone Student Center.

Vote in the municipal election on April 1

The McLean County Consolidated Election is scheduled for April 1. The Bone Student Center will be a polling location on Election Day.

a crowd fills the Prairie Room, which has been set up to host a court hearing

‘Rare opportunity’: Students ditch the classroom for the courtroom to learn about legal careers

Illinois State students were among more than 200 people to pack a makeshift courtroom as the University hosted the Fourth Judicial District Appellate Court for oral arguments in the Bone Student Center’s Prairie Room.

Three women take a picture in front of the Capitol.

Redbirds push for student research funding on Capitol Hill

Illinois State students Tara Geyer and Brenna Long and Office of Student Research Director Gina Hunter visited the Capitol to advocate for undergraduate research through the Students Transforming through Research Advocacy Program.

Athletics

Publications

Thaddeus Tukes playing the vibraphone.

Healing vibes: World-renowned vibraphonist seeks a new audience as a music therapist

Jazz wunderkind Thaddeus Tukes is playing for a new audience as a student in Illinois State’s music therapy master’s program.

Loiy Qasrawi holds the Apple Vision Pro

Grad student’s VR app to help blind people navigate the world

Illinois State University graduate student Loiy Qasrawi is developing SenseWay, a software application for the Apple Vision Pro, that would help visually impaired people move through unfamiliar spaces.

The spring 2025 Campus Hero is Dr. Noha Shawki, professor in the Department of Politics and Government.

Campus hero: Noha Shawki

Shawki grew up in Cairo, Egypt, and was educated in Europe and at Indiana University where she earned her Ph.D. in political science. She was teaching in Minnesota when she got the offer to come to Illinois State. She’s happily been a member of the Redbird community since August of 2007.

New ‘Women in CyberSecurity’ RSO creates a support system for female students in the field

Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) is on a mission to provide a sense of belonging for students enrolled in Illinois State University’s cybersecurity program.
April Anderson-Zorn headshot on background

Archivist April Anderson-Zorn shares stories of women in World War I on u003ciu003eRedbird Buzzu003c/iu003e

Illinois State University Archivist April Anderson-Zorn returns to Redbird Buzz following a semester-long sabbatical spent researching the role of women from Illinois State in World War I.
man standing outdoors with trees in background

From Dhaka to Normal, alum credits the people he’s met for making him feel at home

Zubayer Khaled, MBA ’24, was already a very educated man when he arrived on the campus of Illinois State in December 2021 to begin work on his master’s degree in the College of Business.
A person looks at artifacts displayed on a table.

True Black History Museum celebrates Black history and achievements

More than 50 students, faculty, and staff toured the True Black History Museum, an interactive exhibit that guides visitors through the history of African American people.
Student speaks with attendees at Image of Research competition

Picture perfect: Image of Research exhibit shines light on ISU’s diverse student research

University Galleries hosted the Office of Student Research’s exhibit, reception, and awards presentation February 13, displaying submissions from the 19 finalists.