It was out with the old and in with the new—Chromebooks that is—when students showed up for the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School’s (CHS) January school supply pickup. 

“This phenomenal opportunity to bless our CHS students with new computers was made possible because of an anonymous donor who heard that our students were struggling with unreliable internet due to the lack of bandwidth within the East St. Louis community,” said CHS Director Gina Jeffries. “The anonymous donor is an ‘angel’ who showed up for the needs of our Charter School students and has the East St. Louis community at heart.” 

Read more about the Chromebook donation.

The pandemic has forced many educators to teach in a virtual format. While not ideal in many cases, the lifelong learners and influencers continue to lead by example and persevere for their students through challenging times. At SIUE, educational administration graduate students are juggling those adjustments at their day jobs, and simultaneously learning remotely themselves as they pursue an advanced degree.

“We are so impressed by the flexibility and perseverance of our aspiring administrators,” said SEHHB Interim Associate Dean Alison Reeves, PhD. “They have been assisting their school administration as interns where needed while also innovating in their own classrooms.”

Learn more about how the educational administration students have been adapting.

“Liberating self through the pursuit of freedom, while chasing the shadow of justice” is an illuminating descriptor of the pedagogical philosophy, rooted in Critical Race Theory (CRT), held by a young Black educator who has pledged himself to socially-just, community-based teaching, scholarship and activism. 

Nate Williams, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning, has been on campus for five months and is already knee-deep in classes, programs and initiatives that seek to secure the educational liberation of marginalized people and amplify knowledge for everyone. 

Read more about Williams' teaching philosophy.

Perhaps the truest test of knowledge is successfully applying what one has learned while teaching others. Senior assignments at SIUE support that premise as students embark on initiatives that represent the culmination of their undergraduate experience. Fittingly in fall 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, public health students pursued projects that directly related to the health crisis while benefiting local partners. 

While dealing with an entirely online environment, student teams pursued such projects as “Serenity in Sixty,” a 60-minute interactive webinar on stress management techniques for Edwardsville Public Library patrons, and “Spread Joy, not COVID-19,” an informational video campaign on safe travel habits that was shared on TikTok.

Learn more about the public health senior projects.

Jeremy Jewell, PhD, professor in the Department of Psychology, has received the Illinois Probation and Court Services Association’s (IPCSA) 2020 Exemplary Service Award. The award honors Jewell’s established and dedicated partnership in developing evidence-based practices with the Madison County Probation and Court Services Department.

For more than 17 years, Jewell has served Madison County, offering beneficial services such as program development, program evaluation and staff training. Through this long-standing partnership, Jewell has provided research-driven programs developed to help probation clients improve their anger management and compassion skills. His published analyses and outcomes have been shared by the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts and serve as resources for individuals and courts nationwide.

Read more about Jewell's IPCSA award.

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