As I embark on my second year as Illinois State University president, I can’t help but consider all that has changed and all we have accomplished together over the past year. In the competitive higher education landscape, Illinois State is a leader because of our willingness to innovate and build on our successes.
Appears InThis fall we welcomed 3,983 freshmen, the largest incoming class in 35 years. Not only is this new group of Redbirds a high-achieving one, with an average GPA of 3.6, but it is one of the most diverse classes in university history. Our total enrollment stands at 20,683. Our Admissions and Enrollment Management teams deserve recognition for the fine work in recruiting these talented new students, but our staff would be the first to admit it is a collaborative effort. One in every three freshmen is a Redbird legacy. So, thank you. By sharing our stories and experiences, we can all grow the Illinois State family by recruiting the next generation of Redbirds.
Academic offerings are expanding along with new and revitalized university spaces. For example, the Mennonite College of Nursing will soon increase its enrollment by 400 students with the completion of an expanded Nursing Simulation Center.
Your support of Illinois State is an engine that helps drive these successes. We just
completed the third-best fundraising year in school history. That support allows us to deliver a Redbird education to deserving students who may not otherwise choose Illinois State. Opportunities made possible by you, our loyal donors, provide students the chance to take part in innovative research, creative scholarship, and programming that serves society.
This issue of State demonstrates ways in which Illinois State is innovating to best meet the needs of our students. A feature on esports at Illinois State showcases how Redbird Esports has quickly built some of the top varsity teams in the country while becoming one of our fastest-growing student interests. One in every 20 students is now a member of an esports registered student organization, and the Creative Technologies’ game design program is quickly becoming one of our most popular majors. If your notion of esports is Donkey Kong and Super Mario Bros., this story will open your eyes.
We look to the success of our alumni as one of the hallmarks of excellence for Illinois State. I invite you to read the cover feature on Janelle Jones, M.A. ’10, the first Black woman to serve as chief economist at the U.S. Department of Labor. Her innovative approach to tackling complex economic problems by first considering the needs of underserved populations is truly inspiring.
It’s an exciting time at Illinois State University, a place where innovation happens every day.
