Alumni

Mboka Mwilambwe standing in a grassy area near a lake, with a footbridge behind him.

Alum, former mayor who advocated for Juneteenth holiday to be recognized

During 14 years as a City of Bloomington elected official, including the last four as mayor, Mboka Mwilambwe ’94, M.S. ’96, sought to unite residents from different backgrounds through community events and shared spaces.

a person bending over to shake hands with a service dog

Graduating Redbirds: Ethan Edwards is leaving Illinois State a more accessible place

A Laboratory Schools alum who will soon become an Illinois State alum, too, has left a legacy at Illinois State.

A man with brown hair, beard, and mustache wearing a green and grey shirt that says Rhodes 2017 Raptors stands with five small children who are holding certificates in front of a multicolored bulletin board

Redbirds live deep in the heart of Texas through San Antonio student teaching program

For over 20 years, the School of Teaching and Learning has sent student teachers in the early childhood, elementary, and middle level education programs to Northside Independent School District (NISD) in San Antonio.

College of Education 2025 Redbird Educator Teaching Award Honorees

The College of Education (COE) will host the 2025 Redbird Educator Teaching Award program on Friday, April 4. Eleven teachers from across the state will be recognized during the event.

Where are they now?: Dave Bentlin

Dave Bentlin ’88 ’93 retired from a 37-year career at Illinois State in 2022 after serving in roles in the Office of the President, Student Affairs, University Advancement, and College of Education.

Vivian Kong Doctora holding a steamer of bao buns with swirling food around her

Appetite for success: Entrepreneur builds community through food

Vivian Kong Doctora ’96 is a community builder who connects people and culture through food.

A woman with blonde hair smiles as she receives a hug from a woman with brown hair. They are surrounded by five other people who are clapping and one who is holding an oversized blue check for $25,000.

School of Teaching and Learning alumna Jessica Wentz ’11 honored with ‘Oscar of Teaching’

The principal at Lincoln Grade School in Washington sent out an email saying the state superintendent would be visiting to celebrate test scores and asked that the teachers not wear jeans that Friday. But that wasn’t the real reason behind the dress code, or the visit.

James Duffy College of Education Back-a-Bird Scholarship supports English and history majors

James Duffy always wanted to be a teacher and was the first person in his family to go to college, but financially it was difficult. A scholarship made it a little easier.

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