MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – – Western Illinois University President Guiyou Huang has announced his departure from the University March 31. Pending the approval of the Board of Trustees, Vice President of Quad Cities Campus Operations Kristi Mindrup will serve as interim president, effective Monday, April 1. “I am incredibly grateful for the honor of serving as the 12th president of WIU. While we have faced many challenges, we have also overcome many. I appreciate the opportunity I was given to lead this great institution, and I know that the future is full of possibilities for WIU. It... Read More

May is Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month. Since 1990, the U.S. has used this month to recognize and celebrate Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Like many commemorative months, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month originated in Congress in 1977. After several failed resolutions, a week was proclaimed for the acknowledgement and celebration of Asian/Pacific American Heritage in 1979. Finally, in 1990, it was expanded to the entire month of May, with the theme this year being “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity.” This theme supports WIU’s mission,... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – When Guiyou Huang started his tenure as Western Illinois University’s 12th president in January 2021, one of his core initiatives was to further the University’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and efforts. Huang has created a new Anti-Racism Task Force (ARTF), composed of approximately 22 faculty, staff, students from both campuses, as well as community members. The task force recently held its first meeting, which included training presentations from Jessica C. Harris, vice chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Southern Illinois... Read More

Dear University Community, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the Black Student Association (BSA) Executive Board and student leaders for their leadership. In Fall 2020, the BSA presented the previous WIU administration with a list of 11 demands, which include re-establishing the African-American Studies Program, working toward a more diverse employee population and more to ensure a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive institution. We recently submitted a summary response to these demands, meeting with the BSA leadership to gain feedback. I would like to thank the BSA leadership... Read More

Western Illinois University’s 12th President Guiyou Huang will be hitting the road once again as part of his Inaugural Alumni & Friends Tour, this time heading to Moline, IL, and to Texas. WIU alumni and friends are invited to join Huang, members of the WIU Board of Trustees and Alumni Programs Director Amy Spelman as they stop on Aug. 3 at Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, 1300 River Drive in Moline, IL, from 4-7 p.m. for complimentary social/open house. The tour will continue with four stops in Texas, including Monday, Aug. 30 (San Antonio); Tuesday, Aug. 31 (Austin); Wednesday, Sept.... Read More

In a message from Western Illinois President Guiyou Huang, he mentions that WIU students and staff are expected to be vaccinated against covid going into the fall semester. His message in full, released yesterday, reads: Dear University Community, As we prepare to resume the traditional in-person experience this fall at Western Illinois University, to further safeguard the members of our WIU family (and beyond), we expect members of our University community to get their COVID-19 vaccine prior to the start of the semester, which begins August 23. Getting vaccinated will help our communities mitigate... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE/FREEPORT, IL – Western Illinois University and Highland Community College (HCC) in Freeport recently signed an agreement to create an education pathway from high school through college for HCC students to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with WIU. The agreement provides the opportunity for Freeport-area students to begin the Elementary Education Pathway at high schools via dual credit, complete an Associate of Arts Degree at Highland and then complete the Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education from WIU on Highland’s campus. Students who have... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – When Western Illinois University President Guiyou Huang isn’t taking care of business as WIU’s 12th president, you may likely find him doing what he enjoys outside of work … cooking for family and friends, among other hobbies. “Cooking, like many other things worth doing, requires resources and preparation and involves lots of creativity and even innovation, something that is much expected of the higher ed industry,” Huang said. WIU faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends are invited to join Huang in a virtual cooking show from 4-5 p.m. Saturday,... Read More

Dear University Community, While Pride Month is celebrated annually each June in remembrance of the Stonewall uprising, Western Illinois University will celebrate Pride Month throughout April to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had at WIU throughout the years. The WIU LGBT*QA Resource Center, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Multicultural Center and other University programs and departments have several activities scheduled to commemorate Pride Month. More information about the activities and events scheduled during April can be found... Read More

Western Illinois University denounces and condemns all forms of racism, hate, and discrimination. I am deeply saddened and affected by the recent violence and racism against the Asian and Asian American community. These acts, no matter where they take place, affect members of our Leatherneck family, and we stand with our students, faculty, and staff. Hate, racism, threats, sexism, anti-immigrant sentiments, and violence have no place at our University, in our community, and in our society. We remain committed to ensuring that our University remains safe, welcoming, and inclusive. Any member of... Read More