Reaching back to an ugly time in history and melding it with a current musical and cultural theme to present art which illustrates the intertwined, complex and oppressive nature of U.S. race relations, Kylea Perkins is stretching her creative limits as much as the copper and silver material with which she so diligently and lovingly labors. 

The SIUE senior studio art major is conducting the independent endeavor as an associate in the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) program. 

Read the article.

Additional Student Spotlight:

• Amanda Depew, Social Work

Michael Shaw, PhD, distinguished research professor in the Department of Chemistry, was among the featured speakers at the 2020 LGBTQ+ STEM Conference held virtually in October 2020.

The five-day conference brought together “researchers in all fields of STEM to highlight and celebrate the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community, and to discuss a broad range of scientific topics and issues pertaining to equity, diversity and inclusion.” The event was organized in part by faculty from the University of Windsor who launched a resource group within the Canadian Society for Chemistry for LGBT+STEM, and featured 12 international speakers.

Read the article.

Additional Faculty Spotlights:

• Kim Archer, DMA, Professor, Department of Music

• Adriana E. Martinez, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Geographic Information Sciences and Department of Environmental Sciences

• Venessa A. Brown, PhD, Associate Chancellor and Chief Diversity Officer, and Professor, Department of Social Work

SIUE alumnus and MindsEye President and CEO Jason Frazier has been named a 2020 Diverse Business Leader by the St. Louis Business Journal for his work with MindsEye, an organization offering a variety of services to those with visual disabilities throughout the St. Louis region.

Frazier earned a bachelor’s in mass communications in 2011, and began working for MindsEye in 2012 as a part-time board operator, while simultaneously working for a local sports radio station.

Read the article.

Additional Alumni Spotlights:

• Sacha Jackson, BA Anthropology, French and Psychology '20

• Andy Manar, BA History '97

The SIUE Graduate School has added a fully online option for the Master’s of Public Administration (MPA) degree starting fall 2021. This existing program will continue to offer a hybrid option along with the new fully online option.

“All industries benefit from strong leadership, which makes MPA graduates highly sought after,” said Nancy Huyck, DPA, associate professor and chair of the Department of Public Administration and Policy Analysis. “Historically, graduates of SIUE’s MPA program have been highly competitive in the job market. The department’s strong network with employers in Illinois and the St. Louis metropolitan region is beneficial.”

Read the article. 

Nominations Sought for 2021 Alumni Hall of Fame

Nominations for the 2021 Alumni Hall of Fame are now being accepted. Help us recognize exemplary alumni who are working to shape a changing world. Submit your electronic nomination by March 31.

Learn more and nominate a fellow alum.

Alumni & Friends Virtual Happy Hour

Thursday, Feb. 25, 6-7 p.m. CST

Join fellow SIUE alumni and friends from around the world for another virtual happy hour! An expert mixologist from the St. Louis-based Manhattan Cocktail Project will teach us how to craft our very own Cougar Cocktail creations. Viewing instructions and a list of supplies will be provided after you register for this free event. We look forward to having you join us from the socially-distant comfort of your own home.

Virtual Golden Graduation Reunion

May 6-7

Mark your calendars and join us in celebrating alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago with a first-ever Golden Graduation Virtual Reception. Click here for more details and to register.

Check out the new SIUE Alumni Learning Consortium

We are proud to introduce a new free tool to all SIUE alumni looking to continue learning after graduation. The SIUE Alumni Learning Consortium provides free webinars featuring best-selling authors and career experts presenting on a variety of topics. Register today for the following free webinars:

Unconscious Bias at Work: Creating a Culture Where Everyone Belongs

• Thursday, Feb. 18, at 11 a.m. CST
• Register here.

Raising Thrivers: Parenting Tips & Tools to Help Kids Thrive in An Uncertain World

• Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m. CST
• Register here.

Gardening in Small Spaces: How To Grow Vegetables in Your Backyard

• Wednesday, March 3, at 11 a.m. CST
• Register here.

Check out these upcoming webinars and learn more about the Alumni Learning Consortium here.

Check out the Educational Outreach website to view our upcoming offerings for the spring semester. Peruse our new spring offerings, both personal and professional development, as well as our new Alternative Digital Credentials and Online Degree Completion Programs! Sign up to receive a copy of our catalog by emailing outreach@siue.edu.

SIUE Student-Athletes Extend Academic Streak

SIUE Director of Athletics Tim Hall Appears on Athletics of Business Podcast