As Illinois State University kicks off a new academic year, President Aondover Tarhule stopped by Redbird Buzz to discuss the University’s forward momentum with campus milestones, transformative projects, and the resources for student success.

the transformation is complete...

I guess that's one way to kickoff the fall semester! 😅

Explore the all-new College of Engineering facility at Campus East through a first-hand student pov as they ride the bus, attend classes, and settle into their new home.

Reggie Redbird is here to clean up campus… kind of. Join your favorite mascot as he gardens, leaf blows, paints, and causes a little chaos at the school he calls home. ❤️

Discover all the top moments from Welcome Week 2026—from Kickoff to Redbird Remix—Illinois State students were sure to make their mark on the first week back on campus.

Our student crew is one of the best parts of #RedbirdWelcome Week ❤️

Follow senior acting major and stage combat minor Andrew Faber throughout a day in his life as an acting intern working for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.

Take a tour of the new permanent home of Illinois State University's College of Engineering.Located at Campus East in Bloomington, the new facility features engineering labs, collaborative classrooms, a makerspace, student success center, and spaces designed to support hands-on learning and innovation. After welcoming its first cohort of students in 2025, the College of Engineering is ready to open its doors for a new academic year.Learn more about the new facility: https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2026/07/photos-inside-illinois-states-new-college-of-engineering-building/A University Marketing and Communications team—including photographers Shea Grehan and Tyler Mardis, videographers Hugh Sullivan and Brie Byers, and social media specialist Madeline Sievers—documented the facility transformation before classrooms come to life with students and faculty in August.