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Building Community and Confidence: A Conversation with Erinn Dady

a woman standing next to a river with mountains in the background
As the School of Integrative Biology (SIB) continues to strengthen support systems for students in foundational Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses, the Merit Program remains a cornerstone of that mission. This fall, the program welcomed its new Assistant Director,...

A world of learning: Jenaya Wilder's SIB abroad experience

A person leaning on a palm tree next to the ocean
 When Jenaya Wilder first signed up for a study abroad course in Belize, she wasn’t just looking for sunshine over spring break, she was searching for clarity about her future. Torn between marine biology and entomology, the trip promised not only a hands-on look at coral reefs, but also a...

Alumni Eric Giesing delivers keynote speech at convocation

Eric Giesling (left) and Carla Cáceres (right)
This year, SIB welcomed alumnus Eric Giesing back to campus as the keynote speaker for the 2025 SIB Convocation ceremony. For Eric, it was more than a speech—it was a homecoming nearly two decades in the making. Eric graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Integrative Biology in...

Celebrating 25 years of SIB: A legacy of growth and vision

a graphic with hexagons announcing SIB's 25th anniversary
As SIB marks its 25th anniversary, the occasion offers an opportunity to reflect on how far the School has come and how much SIB has shaped biology education and research at Illinois. SIB was formally recognized by the university on July 1, 2000, after emerging from a pivotal reorganization of the...