2025 has been a big year for the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)—and it’s not over yet.
New programs were launched in data science and sports communication. Steps to operationalize the college’s strategic plan, adopted late last year, began in earnest. A talented induction class joined the college’s Hall of Fame. Five CAS students were named Bone Scholars. CASNews was revived and refreshed, along with the college’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. A successful food drive to benefit the School Street Food Pantry received support from every corner of the college.
A large graduating class left campus with degrees in May, and an even larger incoming class arrived on campus in August. And the CAS alumni family will grow a little bit more next month at winter commencement.
Countless achievements took place in classrooms, research laboratories, and places near and far, providing endless examples of why we are constantly #RedbirdProud of the CAS community.
2025 was a year to remember, so let’s take a look back at the year that was through our favorite stories of 2025.
Math educator introduces students to ‘Women Who Count’ in book documenting the history of African American mathematicians
Dr. Shelly Jones, Ph.D. ’02, has always enjoyed learning about math and science. But the Department of Mathematics alum loves teaching these subjects even more. And now her impact extends beyond the classroom with the publishing of Women Who Count: Honoring African American Women Mathematicians.
Hear to there: Illinois State faculty, students deliver audiology services to rural communities
An outbuilding at a farm in rural Loda was an unlikely setting for a mobile health care clinic, but that’s just what representatives from Illinois State’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and the Eckelmann-Taylor Speech and Hearing Clinic delivered to a gathering of farming families last year.
The lessons of Bangladesh: Dr. Ali Riaz gives voice to his native country as it fights for democracy
When Bangladesh’s prime minister left office in tumult and an interim government took shape, it’s acting head of state looked to Illinois State University Distinguished Professor of Politics and Government Ali Riaz to help rewrite the country’s constitution. The high-profile work landed Riaz on the cover of State magazine.
‘Rare opportunity’: Students ditch the classroom for the courtroom to learn about legal careers
More than 200 people, including about two dozen students from legal studies classes, fill a section of the Prairie Room as Illinois State hosts the Fourth Judicial District Illinois Appellate Court.
Illinois State legal studies students’ classroom for the day was a courtroom—temporarily housed in the Bone Student Center’s Prairie Room—when Illinois State University hosted the Fourth Judicial District Illinois Appellate Court last March. Over 200 people in attendance heard oral arguments in two local murder cases.
Trees of (college) life
Illinois State’s Fell Arboretum is both a “living library” for botany instruction and a peaceful retreat that keeps Illinois State’s campus beautiful. A State magazine story on the arboretum detailed its history and its purpose, as well as a profile on the campus employee with the unique title of “tree surgeon,” a menu of fruits from Illinois State’s trees, and the story of how a descendant of the Cook Hall ginkgo ended up all the way in York, Pennsylvania.
Behind the lens: New York Times photographer Todd Heisler ’94 captures history in the making
Todd Heisler ’94 cut his teeth developing photos for the Vidette in the long-since demolished Edwards Annex darkroom. Now in his 20th year as a staff photographer at The New York Times and 30th as a photojournalist, Heisler has covered just about everything, including the Iraq War, the COVID-19 pandemic, politics, human interest profiles, and parades. A photo essay from State magazine covers it all.
Two Illinois State University students win 2025 Goldwater Scholarships
A pair of College of Arts and Sciences students were named 2025 winners of Goldwater Scholarships, prestigious awards designed to identify, encourage, and support outstanding undergraduates interested in pursuing research careers. Campbell is a computational physics major with a minor in mathematics. Kobulnicky is a biochemistry major with a graphic communications technology minor.
Intersection of AI, humanities explored at university symposium
Dr. Katherine Ellison, chair of the Department of English, organized and delivered “AI and the Humanities: An Interdisciplinary Symposium,” which drew nearly 200 attendees for more than 30 presentations by 85 scholars from across the country, plus a Zoom presentation from Poland.
‘Ecowarrior’ alum fights to protect Florida ecosystems, manatees
School of Communication alum Taylor Masnjak ’08 and her husband are the owners and operators of three clear kayak tour companies along Florida’s Gulf Coast dedicated to ethical ecotourism. They and a team of expert guides introduce clients to the natural beauty of Florida’s waters and the large and lovable manatees that call it home.
Graduating Redbirds: Ethan Edwards is leaving Illinois State a more accessible place
Ethan Edwards made many friends during his time at Illinois State—sometimes with a little help from his guide dog, Ginsburg, who not only helped him navigate campus but served as a “social bridge” to his peers. A journalism major, Edwards also found a career calling for web accessibility before he and Ginsey crossed the commencement stage.
Graduating Redbirds: Political science major Jazmine Benson finds purpose and community at Illinois State
A political science major with a minor in peace and conflict resolution studies, Jazmine Benson found her people in things like Model United Nations and serving as a resident assistant. “Some of my favorite memories here involved the communities I’ve been a part of and the people that I’ve been able to come in contact with,” she said. “Being able to talk to others and integrate myself into spaces where I felt welcomed and appreciated, in addition to being a part of organizations and groups that I was attached to, really made my experience so much better.”
Illinois State formalizes queer studies certificate
The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) Program launched a queer studies certificate, the first undergraduate certificate at Illinois State. The program’s curriculum builds off the existing queer studies concentration, and students currently pursuing the concentration can transfer into the formal certificate.
Selected from the ‘murky middle,’ CAS Scholars benefit from coaching, community
CAS Scholars is a program that aims to bolster retention of students majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences. The donor-funded initiative awards mini-scholarships that can be renewed each semester by meeting academic benchmarks. CAS Scholars also receive academic coaching, professional development, and additional supports. CAS Scholars come from the “murky middle,” a trending phrase in higher ed circles for students often overlooked in favor of high-achieving students who command recognition and at-risk students who need extra support.
Devenir Québécoise: Studying abroad a life-changing experience for staff member, nontraditional student
Nikki Dalbey is a full-time staff member in Illinois State’s Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. She’s also a nontraditional student who is sometimes twice the age of her student peers. None of that stopped her from studying abroad for five weeks over the summer at Université Laval in Québec City, Québec, Canada.
Camp site: College of Arts and Sciences units welcome youth campers to explore careers in science
Metcalf School day campers enjoyed a day of programming provided by the Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment, School of Biological Sciences, and Department of Chemistry in June. In one experiment, Chemistry Stockroom Manager Aly Hearn ’13 led kids ages 5-13 in smashing red, ripe strawberries into a gooey paste to extract strawberry DNA. “I think it spoke volumes to our ‘Gladly we learn and teach’ motto,” Hearn said. “We’re all teachers. We’re all lifelong learners. We all enjoy those interactions with students, and we all want to help them learn.”
Our Newest Redbirds: Transfer student’s passion for environmental restoration fuels charge toward change
Incoming environmental systems science and sustainability major Genna Warnick grows plants and designs flower arrangements. She even restored a creek on her grandfather’s farm. Now she’s pursuing her love for nature and making a global impact in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Calling the shots: Basketball alum scores award, fans in roles with championship team
From reading school announcements to a homemade newspaper, there were early signs Katy Winge ’15 might find a career in sports journalism. And today, the School of Communication and Redbird women’s basketball alum is doing just that as a “Swiss Army knife” who bounces between the studio, the sideline, and the broadcast booth, covering the NBA’s Denver Nuggets. Students today can pursue similar careers through Illinois State’s new sports communication major.
FIREbird grant helps ISU philosophy major search for nature of consciousness
Philosophy major Clo Mayback is grappling with a profound mystery: What’s the exact nature of consciousness? A FIREbird grant from the Office of Student Research allowed Mayback to investigate the question through participation in the Summer School of Panpsychism at the Institute of Philosophy, University of Zagreb, Croatia.
Progress through policy: How Alison Guthrie advanced disability rights
A master’s student in Illinois State University’s cognitive and experimental psychology program, Alison Guthrie is making strides in public policy. Earlier this year, she was the driving force behind authoring and advocating for the passage of two bills concerning disability rights in her home state of Arkansas.
Redbird alum Charli Jacoby ’13 to compete for U.S. in Women’s Rugby World Cup
Charli Jacoby ’13 and her USA Rugby teammates are preparing for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, August 22-September 27, in England.
An English major and former member of Illinois State’s women’s rugby team, Charli Jacoby ’13 proudly represented her country as a member of the United States national team at the Women’s Rugby World Cup this summer. “ISU is such a huge part of not just me as a person, but of my rugby journey,” said Jacoby.
Illinois State’s new simulation lab trains DCFS investigators
Funded by a four-year, $2.1 million Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) grant, the Child Protection Training Academy (CPTA) at Illinois State is the program’s third and newest simulation (SIMS) lab, which opened on the Baby Fold’s Hammit School campus in Normal during a ribbon-cutting ceremony last spring. It’s the latest partnership between DCFS and Illinois State’s School of Social Work.
Beyond the headlines: Stephanie Rodriguez ’18 connects with communities through bilingual reporting
Seven years into her career, Stephanie Rodriguez ’18 has already worked in markets in Peoria, Eau Claire (Wisconsin), and Milwaukee. The journalism major, who also minored in Spanish and political science all while working at TV-10, is now a bilingual reporter in Orlando, Florida, where she reaches a large Spanish-speaking audience.
Green with envy: Greenhouse move benefits student access, plant health
The School of Biological Sciences’ teaching collection of plants was relocated this fall to a temporary space at 1613 Clearwater Avenue in Bloomington that the University is calling the Biology Teaching Greenhouse. The new space will allow increased access—the Felmley greenhouse had been closed to visitors since 2018 due to safety concerns—and improve plant health.
Legacy lives on: Legendary faculty member’s passion for community, public education perseveres through Skibo Scholars
Dylan Thunder is a member of the first cohort of Skibo Scholars, so named for the late Distinguished Professor and former chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology whose legacy lives on through a scholarship established to preserve his commitment to public education and the sense of belonging derived from community.
Game changer: CAS faculty member’s grant-funded research will develop games to teach math concepts
An assistant professor in Illinois State’s Department of Mathematics, Dr. Mahtob Aqazade is conducting National Science Foundation-funded research that aims to address students’ feelings toward math and their readiness to learn things like negative numbers. The work seeks to prepare them for the jump to middle school when they’re first exposed to algebra and advance the knowledge base for math education, both locally and worldwide. And she and her research team are introducing the concepts through the engaging and crowd-pleasing mediums of board games and card games.
Read more stories from the College of Arts and Sciences. Follow the college on Facebook and Instagram to see more photos of the greenhouse move.
