School of Nursing

From June 16–19, 2025, the IMAGINE Summer Success Academy welcomed 60 high school students for an unforgettable four-day, overnight experience at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. With more than 350 applications, this year’s academy doubled in size from the previous year, highlighting growing enthusiasm for the program.

Students from 25 different schools came together to explore the field of nursing through hands-on learning, interactive simulations, and mentorship from S...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville nursing student and Illinois Army National Guard combat medic Sgt. Luke Birtch has been named the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year following the 2025 Best Warrior Competition.

Birtch outperformed a field of elite soldiers and NCOs from across the state in a grueling multi-day competition testing physical endurance, tactical proficiency, mental resilience, and leadership.

His path to victory was forged through relentless preparation. In Decembe...

“I wouldn’t be where I am right now if it wasn’t for SIU,” said Major Elester Latham (’75). “SIU was everything to me.” Latham, who graduated 50 years ago with a degree in theatre  was one of more than 40 Golden Graduates at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 2025 spring commencement exercises on Saturday, May 10. Latham, began his career as a United States Air Force and commercial airline pilot eventually returning to his first love ...

Faculty and Staff on all SIUE Campuses Enjoy Good Fellowship, Good Food, Good Times  

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville honored faculty and staff members on all its campuses during its annual observance. Employees on the Edwardsville, East St. Louis and Alton campuses embraced the occasion and enjoyed one another.

Each celebration offered food, games and gifts.  

Photos: SIUE paused to recognize and honor faculty and staff on its campuses during April and May.

SIUE Students Reflect on Good Times at SIUE and Look Toward the Future  

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville was a place of refuge that made for a tremendous experience, with warm faculty, interdisciplinary coursework and a beautiful campus, according to several graduating seniors. 

Students reminisced about their experiences and academic careers at the University and talked about their career goals after participating in Affinity Celebrations last week. The SIUE commencement...

Free Information, Screenings and Prizes; Fraternity Gives Clinic $7,000  

Metro East residents received valuable information, participated in health screenings, enjoyed free haircuts, beauty services, clothing, lunch, and major door prizes during the Spring Forward Health and Wellness Fair, co-hosted by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing’s (SON) WE CARE Clinic in East St. Louis. 

The WE CARE Clinic partnered with the East St. Louis (IL) Alumni Cha...

Ampadu’s Victories and Unyielding Support for the Diverse Students and the Community Earn her Accolades

“A relentless advocate for women and underserved populations,” Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing’s (SON) Jerrica Ampadu, PhD, demonstrates what it means to be a “Woman of Distinction,” according to her nominator, SIUE’s Tracy Cooley, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, SON assistant professor. 

Ampadu, interim associate dean for Gr...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Chaya Gopalan, PhD, professor in the Departments of Applied Heath, Nurse Anesthesiology, and Mark Poepsel, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Mass Communications, have both received the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLi) Support for Creation of Open Educational Resources (SCOERs) grant. The grant is awarded to develop, improve and expand open educational resources by focusing on “The Human Conditi...

The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) has selected HOK-St. Louis as the preferred architectural design firm for preliminary design of the Health Science Building (HSB) on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus.

The CDB released $10,537,000 in planning funds in Jan. 2020 to create preliminary designs for the HSB. The complex will include approximately 221,000 square feet. The project’s total cost is approximately $105 million. It would be the largest building on the SI...

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker today announced the release of $10,537,000 in planning funds to create preliminary designs for a Health Science Building (HSB) on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus. Pritzker made the announcement in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom.

The complex will include approximately 221,000 square feet. The project’s total cost is approximately $105 million. It would be the largest building on the SIUE campus.

“With this ...