Newell to lead new BS/IS program

Melissa Newell
Melissa Newell, Director of Undergraduate Affairs

Melissa Newell joined the iSchool on July 15 as director of undergraduate affairs. In this new position, she provides leadership and strategic direction for the administration of the Bachelor of Science in information sciences (BS/IS) degree, undergraduate student experience, and undergraduate recruitment and admission.

Newell has worked at the University of Illinois since 2007, most recently as the director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Economics. She also has worked in alumni affairs at the University of Illinois Alumni Association.

"My new position at the iSchool combines my passion for supporting undergraduate students at Illinois with the rare opportunity to develop a program from the start," Newell said. "It has been wonderful joining such dedicated and collegial colleagues who have made me feel at home. I have always felt a connection to the iSchool, as my mom received her MS/LIS degree from Illinois and worked as a school librarian."

Newell is herself an Illinois alumna, with a BS in food science and human nutrition and Ed.M. in educational organization and leadership. In addition, she recently deposited her dissertation to complete her PhD in education policy, organization, and leadership in higher education administration.

As director of undergraduate affairs, Newell will collaborate with Associate Professor and BS/IS Program Director Emily Knox and colleagues in Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Communications, and Enrollment Management to successfully plan, implement, and launch the BS/IS program.

"I am very excited to welcome our first students in Fall 2020! It will be wonderful when we have our first class and to see our population grow over time. I spoke to my first interested transfer student last week, and hearing the excitement in her voice for this program and making that early connection is why I love working with students. I am looking forward to helping them find their home here in the iSchool," Newell said. 

Tags:
Updated on
Backto the news archive

Related News

Bickers joins administrative team

Hope Bickers joined the iSchool on May 22 as an office manager. In her new role, she will provide administrative support for the associate dean for academic affairs and program directors.

Hope Bickers_Headshot

iSchool course introduces students to career pathways

iSchool undergraduates have the opportunity to explore various career pathways and meet potential employers through a unique course, IS 200 CE: Career Exploration and Development (formerly IS 199 EE: iSchool Explore, Engage, Develop). This one-credit course focuses on professional development and career exploration by connecting students with industry representatives, alumni, current students, faculty, and staff. It provides an opportunity for students to build a professional network and teaches them the skills to do so through course assignments, informal interview and career fair presentations, and other professional workshops.

IS 200 Students

2022 Downs Intellectual Freedom Award given to New College of Florida Defenders

For their tireless efforts to support academic freedom, New College of Florida faculty, librarians, student reporters of The Catalyst, and the Defend New College and Save New College student and alumni organizations have collectively been named the 2022 recipient of the Robert B. Downs Intellectual Freedom Award. The award is given annually by the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and cosponsored by Sage, global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources.

Fab Lab hosts visitors during Boneyard Arts Festival

The Informatics Program’s Champaign-Urbana Community Fab Lab hosted over 200 visitors of all ages for an open house on April 16. The event was held during the Boneyard Arts Festival, an annual three-day event hosted by 40 North | 88 West that showcases local artists, businesses, and organizations in the Champaign-Urbana community. The iSchool oversees Informatics Programs for the University.

Fab Lab open house visitors

Academic Support Center offers tutoring, resources

Students who are struggling academically or just need a little help can find assistance at the iSchool Academic Support Center. In addition to providing one-on-one tutoring to iSchool students and students enrolled in iSchool courses, the center offers academic success workshops, coordinates with faculty and instructors to provide support for specific courses or exams, and curates and shares academic support resources.

Shashank Kambhatla