Two students in a lab with pipettes

WHERE CURIOSITY DRIVES IMPACT

Change begins with curiosity.

From exploring new ideas to solving the world’s biggest issues, LAS empowers thinkers and doers to transform curiosity into measurable impact.

We believe that education is more than lectures and textbooks. It’s about cultivating minds that question, explore, and act with purpose. And we know that when curiosity meets opportunity, innovation follows—and the impossible becomes possible. 

LAS News
black-and-white photo of Folger Adam Jr.
Creative writing contests keep memory of WWII-era poet alive
 Folger Adam Jr.’s eyes were drawn to the bronze plaque hanging over the fireplace in the dining room. “In honor of the brothers of the Illinois chapter Alpha Delta Phi who rendered service during the World War.” Below, there were many names.Adam was an LAS student from Joliet, Ill. Enough...
Various puncture tools on animals and insects
From cactus thorns to dinosaur teeth: Study analyzes biological puncture tool performance
 Nature has invented countless types of pointy appendages, and scientists have long sought to explain what makes these structures so effective at puncturing other things. A new study models the key physical characteristics of puncturing tools to reflect their diversity in nature, finding that...
Gene Robinson
Honey bees’ sense of smell changes from larval to adult life stages, study finds
 Honey bee larvae lack the sophisticated olfactory capabilities of adult honey bees, a new study finds. Scientists point to this temporary loss-of-function as a side effect of the nurse bees’ heroic level of brood care, calling it a consequence of social evolution.The new findings are detailed...
presentation in a conference hall
Faculty gather for workshop on research impact
 The College of LAS and the Center for Social and Behavioral Science hosted a one-day, multi-session workshop titled “Designing Competitive Broader Impacts: Strategy, Evaluation, and Communication.” U of I faculty and research professionals across social and behavioral sciences, natural...
everyone in front of foellinger auditorium
Building the French connections
Laughter echoed through the halls of the University of Illinois as children waved tiny flags, danced to French music, and explored campus buildings during the inaugural FrancoFun Kids@U of I event. For many of the children, it was their first time stepping onto a university campus. For organizers,...
Bob Byars in front of bookshelf
The ballad of Bob Byars
Robert Pahre is a longtime professor of political science at U of I. Bob Byars had a vision. Once an assistant professor at Illinois, he had left the university on poor terms. However, he loved his students and remained in...
women running on track
Starting from scratch
 Katie Straus crossed the finish line of the 1,500 meters exhausted. After two days and nine previous events of sprinting, jumping, throwing, and vaulting, the final race of the decathlon is less about speed than endurance — pushing forward even as the body begins to break down. By that...
Kara Federmeier
The meaningful milliseconds
 Psychology and neuroscience professor Kara Federmeier directs the Cognition and Brain Lab and co-leads the Illinois Language and Literacy...

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99.6%
of Illinois students take a class in LAS
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70+
majors offered within LAS
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33%
of campus' tenure-track faculty members work in LAS
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180,000
network of LAS alumni
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New students: Start your LAS journey

Fuel your curiosity, explore big ideas, and discover what drives you. Designed for new students, LAS First-Year Experience will help you connect, grow, and step confidently into college life.
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When you support the College of LAS, you play a crucial role in shaping the success of thousands of students and faculty.

Join us in creating a powerful network of influential thinkers and proven achievers—and help us seek a better tomorrow, today.