The Western Illinois University Office of Justice, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (JIDE) and the Anti-Racism Task Force will host multiple town hall meetings for University faculty, staff, students and the community in September. The JIDE office is responsible for strengthening and advancing the University’s commitment to being a just, inclusive, diverse and equitable institution. The Anti-Racism Task Force (ARTF), composed of members of the faculty, staff and students from both campuses, as well as community members, launched in March 2022 and was charged by President Guiyou Huang to recommend... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – As insurgents, fringe groups and extremists continue to grow in numbers, particularly in the United States, one Western Illinois University law enforcement and justice administration professor is bringing the experts to his students, and to others beyond WIU, to gain a better understanding and awareness of groups, platforms and issues that can pose threats to public safety, such as the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection. Dean Alexander, who is recognized internationally as a terrorism expert, has been a member of the WIU School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) faculty... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University is continuing to focus on supporting students during their transition to college and finding academic success through the redevelopment of two support offices. “Through divisional realignment, the former Transition and Academic Skills Center has evolved into two separate functions, allowing staff to focus on vital areas supporting student development and learning,” Executive Director of Student Success and Retention Initiatives Justin Schuch said. “Divisional changes allowed us to have a meaningful review of services offered and... Read More

MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University Quad Cities Student Services will host the first annual Anime Art Show. All WIU students, faculty and staff are invited to submit artwork by Thursday, Sept. 7. The event welcomes paintings, drawings, sculptures and designs. Artwork or designs that are two dimensional must be a maximum of 36″X36″ in dimension, and sculptures must be moveable. Artwork must be anime themed and is not limited to fan art or original characters. Participants will be notified by Friday, Sept. 8. Accepted pieces can be dropped off from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday,... Read More

MOLINE, IL – – The Western Illinois University College of Business and Technology (CBT) will host a “Welcome Back Social” for incoming and returning CBT students from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30 in Riverfront Hall Atrium on the Quad Cities campus. “This informal event is for CBT students to socialize and meet their faculty,” Management and Marketing Instructor Andre Du Plessis said. “We want students to build relationships, as that enhances the learning process.” At the welcome event, students will gain insight into the many resources offered by the... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – – The new academic year at Western Illinois University will kick off with the annual University Assembly beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 18 in the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Recital Hall on the WIU-Macomb campus. The event will also be live-streamed on the University’s YouTube Channel. Faculty, staff, students and community members are invited to attend the event. During the event, WIU President Guiyou Huang will discuss plans and priorities for the 2023-2024 academic year and beyond, and Provost Manoochehr Zoghi will also provide brief... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – – Western Illinois University Associate Provost and Associate Vice President of Undergraduate Studies, Graduate Studies & Strategic Planning Mark Mossman has been chosen to partake in the year-long senior administrator’s program, Becoming a Provost Academy (BAPA) 2023, organized by the American Association of State Colleges and University (AASCU). The program commenced July 21. “It is a great honor to be a part of the Academy,” said Mossman. “I have already been engaged in wide-ranging discussions about the significance of public higher... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – – Western Illinois University, in partnership with Blackhawk Community College and local school districts, received a $1.4 million National Science Foundation grant to address teacher shortages in high-needs school districts. The grant will award 24 NOYCE STEM Teacher Scholarships over the next five years, and three scholars have already been selected for the Fall 2023 semester. The scholarships cover costs associated with tuition, fees and housing. Scholars who apply could receive over $30,000 in scholarships. NOYCE scholars will receive up to two and a half years... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – – Western Illinois University has named Zach Messersmith director of Governmental Relations, effective Aug. 1. “I am humbled and honored to join Western Illinois University,” said Messersmith. “Western is a special institution providing academic excellence and extraordinary educational opportunities. As the Director of Government Relations, I will use my knowledge and experience to connect elected officials with the WIU community. I look forward to contributing to Western’s vibrant and thriving culture. Messersmith graduated from Illinois... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Beginning Monday, July 24, Tayler Onion will join Western Illinois University Athletics as the assistant athletic director for development. Prior to coming to WIU, Onion had been the head of curriculum development for Game Plan in Tampa, FL, since January 2022. She has also served as an assistant director for Student-Athlete Enhancement for the University of South Florida from 2017-21; and the athletic academic advisor/DAWG coordinator for Southern Illinois University from 2016-17. “I am excited to welcome Tayler to our Alumni and Development team,” said WIU Foundation... Read More