The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) kicked off the school year with an engaging and festive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Fair on Friday, August 30th. Held from 3pm to 5pm, the event, hosted by the Diversity Center, celebrated community joy through a range of activities designed to foster connection and inclusivity among students, staff and faculty.
The DEI Fair featured distinct activities across the three units of the Diversity Center. The Diversity Center hosted a lively game of Loteria, while the Women’s Center provided a creative space for attendees to paint canvases and engage in conversation. Gender and Sexuality Student Services showcased their Affirmation Station, offering free clothes, accessories, cooking utensils, and school supplies to UIS students. Small prizes were awarded throughout the event, culminating in three larger raffle prizes drawn at the end.
The Student Life Building (SLB) Gym served as the central hub for the event, where participants enjoyed a variety of social activities, including card games like Spades and collaborative puzzle-solving. The atmosphere was lively, with many attendees taking advantage of the opportunity to connect and enjoy food together.
Notable attendees included Christian Johnson, a senior and student trustee to the U of I Board of Trustees, who expressed his enthusiasm for campus events and his commitment to engaging with students. Graduate student Daisha Mitchell also attended, using the occasion to promote her organization, the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs.
Attendees had the chance to learn about various campus resources and upcoming events, including Bingo After Dark and the Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month (HLHM) Flag Raising, as highlighted on the Diversity Center’s whiteboard.
For more details on future events, UIS community members are encouraged to visit UIS Connection.
