Nearly 50 years ago, Illinois leaders broke ground on a new university in Springfield, IL. Their vision was to create an innovative higher education institution to service the community for generations to come. Now a top-ranked regional university, University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) partnered with Lawrence Group to establish the 2020 Campus Master Plan to guide future growth and campus development. Throughout the planning process, Lawrence Group led a group of strategic partners, along with broad and diverse groups of stakeholders through transparent and collaborative engagement sessions to identify UIS’ current and future needs. All planning decisions were made in support of the University’s goals; cultivate a premier educational experience, support a vibrant campus life and culture, implement growth strategies, and foster partnerships. These goals are focused on increasing enrollment; recruiting and retaining high performing students, faculty and staff; and providing facilities that foster high quality living and learning.
The outcome is a roadmap that prioritizes recommendations focused on site improvements, strategic renovations, new construction, and ongoing, deferred maintenance. These priorities support UIS’ mission and vision and align with the University’s Strategic Compass. The plan honors the University’s past while creating a flexible, innovative learning experience for the future.
