Global engagement for impact and innovation
Illinois Receives 2026 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is one of five U.S. institutions to receive the 2026 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization, a national distinction recognizing excellence in embedding global engagement across teaching, research, and public engagement.
Illinois has won the Comprehensive Award twice (2008, 2026) and the Spotlight Award once (in 2025) for the IGlobal Program in the College of Education. Illinois is the only institution to have achieved this combination of awards over time.
2026 International Achievement Award Recipients Announced
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Illinois International are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 International Achievement Awards, which recognize outstanding alumni, faculty, and students whose exceptional work, service, and/or scholarship has made a significant, global impact.
A Global University
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s commitment to global learning, discovery, and engagement is reflected by the diversity of programs, courses, and offices that connect students, faculty, staff, and the community with diverse cultures, languages, and histories.
In addition to the Illinois International units, the university has dozens of academic and administrative units dedicated to supporting global engagement. This vast enterprise can be challenging to navigate and aim to connect students, faculty, staff, and alumni with all offices, programs, and units with a global theme.
Data Dashboards
Explore the university’s Global Engagement data as charts and tables.
International Studies Building
Illinois International is located in the International Studies Building at 910 S. Fifth St. in Champaign.