February 3, 2026

The IMSA community continues to advance Vision 2033 through intentional opportunities that elevate student learning, growth, and experimental play. The Reinventing Residence Life team extends this work through the Spring 2026 Curiosity Corridor Micro-Grant, inviting students to embrace curiosity, uncertainty, and exploration.

Grounded in the Five Lenses of Curiosity, the micro-grant supports students exploring scientific ideas, conducting original research, or pursuing topics that genuinely spark their interest, encouraging creative, playful learning without fear or hesitation.

We are pleased to announce that the following students have received grants to further their research in Spring 2026:

• Shlok Choudhary '27 and Krish Sav '27 - Project Insight: Navigating the Labyrinth
• Sohum Mehta '26 - Promptonium: Measuring and Improving Real-World Prompting Skill
• Sullivan Olson '28 - The Environment Lives Beneath Us
• Matthew Park '27 and Nikhil Baman '28 - LED Financial Ticker
• Mishi Patel '28 - From Crisis to Control: A Continuous Wearable Sensor for Real-Time Ammonia Monitoring, AmPatch
• Kavya Shah '27 - How Multiple Hormone-like Molecules Interact in a Tissue-like Environment
• Joanna Swearengen '27 - Behind the Scenes of a Court Case
• Amerah Wheat-Ballah '28 - Preventing Hypoglycemia in Diabetes using GlucoFlow

Grant recipients will share their work with the IMSA community through a workshop on an I-Day in April or May 2026.

As students begin the new semester, we wanted to share a few important updates and milestones to keep on your radar.

Some key activities to be mindful of in the coming months include:

• Senior banquet planning and graduation preparations
• College Day for juniors on April 18, 2026
• Naviance familiarization for junior parents as college planning begins
• The SIR (Student Inquiry & Research) process for sophomore parents planning ahead for next year
• Open candidacy form for new board members to PAC on March 1, 2026

Students will have the opportunity to hear from young professionals and IMSA alumni on why they chose their HBCU and how their HBCU helped them in their current careers.

Moderator

Anita Connors White, Ph.D. - Dean of IMSA Scholars

Panelists

• Justin Alfred - Civil Engineering/Computer Scientist, Lockheed Martin
• Joseph Bertrand ‘20 - Associate Engineer, Caterpillar Inc.
• Jaida Bethell (Lewis) ’15 - Owner, Poised Lips by Jai; Program Coordinator, CVS Health
• Darryl Burrell Jr.- Project Manager, City of Pearland, Texas Engineering and Public Works
• Dr. Garry J. Kennebrew Jr. ‘04 - MAJ, US Army Reserve; Emergency Medicine Physician (Hospitals of Providence & University Medical Center of El Paso)
• Ja’Nae McGee - Mechanical Engineer, DOW Chemical Company
• Joseph Pollard - Product Security & Penetration Tester, Emerson Electric
• Tony Richardson II - Manufacturing Engineer, The Boeing Company
• Austin Spencer - Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
• Jayda Yancey ‘19 - Process Chemist, Eli Lilly and Company 

We are delighted to share that a team of IMSA students has been selected to represent Illinois in the NASA TechRise Student Challenge. Through this national program, students design and build experiments that will autonomously operate and collect data during a NASA-sponsored suborbital flight. Over the next few months, the team will design an experiment that will fly on a Virgin Galactic suborbital spacecraft and collect data during the flight. We are very proud that our IMSA students will have the opportunity to represent Illinois in this prestigious program. 

Congratulations to the following students:

Krithik Senthilkumar '27

Ian Wang '27

Atharv Kanchi '27

Sonit Sahoo '27

Aidan Chang '27

Vidhan Jain '27

Girls Basketball

Last night, the Girls Basketball team celebrated Senior Night with a 46–14 victory over Mooseheart! Senior Kate Honchar led the scoring with 18 points to cap off the night.

Congratulations to seniors Abigail Kinsland and Kate Honchar for three years of leadership, sportsmanship, and dedication to the program.

Speech Team

The Titans had great representation at the Yorkville End of Season Invitational Speech Tournament last weekend. Congratulations to the following students:

Molly Federici '26 - Tournament Champion, Radio Speaking finals

Rishima Mukherjee '26 - 2nd place, Original Oratory finals

Molly Federici '26 - 2nd place, Special Occasion Speaking finals

Mbayie Tendong '27 - 5th place, Original Oratory finals

Shihan Cheng '27 - 6th place, Oratorical Declamation finals

Sullivan Olson '28 - 3rd place, Extemporaneous Speaking, next-in finals 

February 2–6 is National School Counselor Week, a time to celebrate the dedicated professionals who are essential to student success. At IMSA, we are fortunate to have counselors who support students’ academic growth and college planning, alongside a team focused on mental health and social-emotional well-being. Both teams play a vital role in the student experience, and we are deeply grateful for the care, guidance, and expertise they provide every day!

College and Academic Counselors

IMSA’s College and Academic Counselors (CACs) play a vital role in guiding students through academic planning, course selection, and the college search process. By helping students navigate rigorous coursework and advocating for their success, CACs empower students to make informed choices and thrive both academically and personally.

Ms. Melisa Williams-Rivera

Ms. Mirta Olmos

Mr. JaRod Tobler

Ms. Kara Molenhouse

Mental Health Counselors

IMSA’s Mental Health Counselors are dedicated to supporting students’ emotional well-being as they navigate the unique challenges of a residential learning environment. Through one-on-one counseling, group support, and caring guidance, they help students manage stress, build healthy coping skills, and grow in resilience. They also help connect students with the appropriate resources and create programs and events that foster wellness, curiosity, and a strong sense of community.

Alex Pratt, LCPC

Emily Cotto, LCSW

Thank you to our counseling teams!

Most of us know that IMSA is not a typical educational institution, given its advanced curriculum and residential nature. We also have a second legislative charge to advance excellence in STEM education throughout the entire state. With that in mind, we are mindful of where we have a presence, whether through enrollment, program offerings, outreach, or professional learning.

This map highlights how IMSA is represented in counties throughout the state, with examples of people, projects, and programs illustrated in the columns. Our goal is to show that IMSA is elevated everywhere and aimed at serving every community throughout the state in ways that are meaningful to their enrichment needs. We love to brainstorm additional ways IMSA can have a meaningful impact throughout the state. Don't hesitate to reach out to me at eglazer@imsa.edu if you have additional ideas or partners who could help us support communities in new ways.

During intersession, students traveled to Puerto Morelos on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, where they explored the region’s rich history, culture, and natural ecosystems. The trip included visits to Mayan archaeological sites and local communities, as well as hands-on ecological fieldwork. Students studied water systems by swimming in cenotes (natural limestone sinkholes filled with fresh water), snorkeling in lagoons, and conducting water quality research to better understand the impact of human development on local environments.

Introduction to Sewing

Students learned the basics of sewing, like how to thread a sewing machine, basic piecing and quilting, and how to sew in a zipper on their log cabin quilted pillow projects.

Peer Tutors will be available in IN2 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on the following dates to help with a wide range of subjects.

• Tuesday, February 10
• Tuesday, February 25
• Tuesday, March 17
• Tuesday, April 21
• Tuesday, April 28
• Tuesday, May 12

Group Workout Classes

I Days at 3:00 p.m.

Fridays during S&E

Multipurpose Room

Sweat your stress out during the group fitness class led by Counselor Alex Pratt. Classes include cardio, weight training, and core exercises. Beginners welcome!

Email apratt@imsa.edu with questions.

Attendance Reminders

• When you are tardy, you must stop in the Attendance/CAC office to get a pass.
• If you feel your attendance record is incorrect, please speak to your teacher or email them and cc attendance@imsa.edu
• If there needs to be a correction, the teacher will contact attendance.
• If you are signed out of your hall and will miss school, you must have your parents call the attendance office.
• While students are on campus, parents can not call a student off for any health reason. Students must go and see the nurse. Only the health office can excuse students for health reasons while they remain on campus.
• If you are off campus for ANY reason (i.e., sick, college visit, or doctor's appointment), you must have your parents call you in. 
• All college visits must be pre-approved by your CAC.
• Any pre-arranged absence that will exceed 3 academic days must have special approval from Mr. Donelson.

2026-2027 Academic Calendar

Notice of Nondiscrimination: IMSA prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator.