The entrepreneurial spirit is alive in Springfield
The following column as written by Ben Hage, director of the University of Illinois Springfield’s business incubator, Innovate Springfield. It was published by the Illinois Times on Dec. 3, 2024.
"As the director of Innovate Springfield, the University of Illinois Springfield’s business incubator, I’m excited to share the momentum we’re building within our entrepreneurial community. Since joining iSPI in August last year, our team has worked to ignite Springfield’s startup scene with fresh, dynamic programming. Today, I’m proud to say we’re achieving that vision."
How Central Illinois became a hotbed for esports on high school, college levels
The following story was published by The State Journal-Register on Nov. 25, 2024.
"Players can also take the intramural route at University of Illinois Springfield, which has a sleek, new arena at Founders Residence Hall. The UIS teams compete in the National Esports Collegiate Conference, separate from IC’s Midwest Valley Esports Conference and Midwest Esports Conference.
It may be more relaxed, but that’s only true to an extent.
UIS students win $10K in business pitch competition
The following story was published by the Springfield Business Journal on Nov. 1, 2024.
"A group of five University of Illinois Springfield students won $10,000 in seed funding for their startup business, TredBase, during a pitch competition hosted by Innovate Springfield on Oct. 28. The competition featured three entrepreneurial teams pitching innovative ideas.
UIS students collect 9,074 pounds of food for Central Illinois Foodbank
The following story was reported by WICS-TV 20 on Oct. 28, 2024.
"University of Illinois Springfield students collected 9,074 pounds of food and grocery items during the annual Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods event on Sunday.
UIS says atotal of 10 teams, comprised of more than 130 students, went door-to-door in Springfield neighborhoods.
All items collected will be donated to Central Illinois Foodbank, which distributes supplies to food pantries, soup kitchens, residential programs and after-school programs in a 21-county region."
How to be a better news consumer during this election season
The following column by Jason Piscia, assistant professor and director of the UIS Public Affairs Reporting program, was published by the Illinois Times on Oct. 17, 2024.
"Have you heard anyone say recently “I can’t wait for this election to be over?” Have you said it?
The feeling is understandable. The nonstop, mean-spirited social media posts, advertisements and political commentary can be exhausting.