Since its founding in 1867, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has earned a reputation as a world-class leader in research, teaching, and public engagement.  A talented and highly respected faculty is the university’s most significant resource.  Many are recognized for exceptional scholarship with memberships in such organizations as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Engineering, and with awards such as Nobel Prizes, Pulitzer Prizes, and the Fields Medal in Mathematics. 

The campus has a fundamental commitment to undergraduate education.  More than 32,000 undergraduate students are enrolled in nine undergraduate divisions, which together offer some 5,000 courses in more than 150 fields of study.  The campus enrolls more than 12,000 graduate and professional students in more than 100 disciplines.  It is among the top five universities in number of earned doctorates awarded nationally each year.

Also integral to our mission is a commitment to public engagement. Each year about 65,000 Illinois residents participate in scores of conferences, institutes, courses, and workshops presented statewide. Research and class projects take students and professors off campus to share expertise and technical support with Illinois farmers, manufacturing firms, and businesses. In a typical year, student volunteers log more than 60,000 volunteer hours.

An important effort in reporting progress and reaching out to students, staff, and the community is applying for recognition that highlights the University's sustainability efforts.