The results are in for the 2026 Best of UIS and Beyond Contest! Organized and hosted by The Observer, the contest is an opportunity for UIS students, faculty and staff to make their voices and opinions heard, and to be entered to win one of several prizes, such as gift cards to local businesses.
In March, the UIS community weighed in to nominate entries for each category and in April they cast their votes. This list highlights the winners and gives a shoutout to those who placed second and third for each category.
The final round of winners will be released on Tuesday, April 28.
Best Locally Owned Business: Little Saigon
Little Saigon, 1532 Wabash Ave., won Best Locally Owned Business of 2026. This Thai restaurant, with its colorful interior and quality food, is a local favorite. The Lumpia House and Sapori Pizzeria & Italian Market took second and third place.
Best Place to Get Coffee Off Campus: Hae’s Bakery & Coffee
For the second year in a row, Hae’s, with locations on Jefferson Street and Wabash Avenue, cinched another “Best of” category, winning Best Place to Get Coffee Off Campus. This is also Hae’s second year winning Best in multiple categories. Grab a Java and Incredibly Delicious placed second and third, respectively.
Most Helpful Staff Member: Sarah Collins
Collins is the Writing Coordinator for the Learning Hub. Second place went to Morgan Keith, the Visiting Academic Skills Specialist in the Center for Academic Success & Advising, and third place to Cortney Trencevski, the Academic Advisor for the Capital Scholars Program.
“I do my best to support the students, faculty and staff of the UIS campus, and seeing that people found my work helpful to them is the best honor I could receive. My work would not happen without the exceptional dedication and skills of the Learning Hub’s team of full-time and student employees. I feel so lucky to count myself among these folks, and to lead my writing staff,” said Collins.
Best Professor: David Bertaina
The UIS History department’s Bertaina won Best Professor of 2026. He specializes in the religious history of late antiquity and the medieval Mediterranean with a focus on encounters between Christians and Muslims. Lynn Fisher, who took this title last year, placed second, and Stephanie Hedge placed third.
Best Springfield Feature: Lincoln Memorial Garden
Lincoln Memorial Garden, located on the southeastern edge of Lake Springfield, was voted the Best Springfield Feature. Washington Park and Lake Springfield took second and third place, respectively.
