Recruiting at the University
The talent attraction team plays a pivotal role in the university’s growth and success. Our primary objective is to actively engage, and recruit talented individuals who can contribute to our vibrant and diverse institution. By focusing on inclusivity and diversity, we ensure that our recruitment efforts not only meet the current needs of the university but also foster an environment of innovation and excellence for the future. Through collaborative partnerships and innovative strategies, we continuously strive to enhance our recruitment processes, ensuring that we remain competitive in attracting talent to join our dynamic community.
Interested in a job and want to speak to a recruiter? Fill out our new General Interest Form
Tori Exum
Director of DEI Talent Attraction Programs
Talent
2173334752
texum@illinois.edu
Rafael Cañas
DEI Recruitment & Special Programs Coordinator
Talent
2173332137
rcanas@uillinois.edu
Jason Knight
Talent Strategy Recruiter
Talent
jasonbk@illinois.edu
Why Illinois
Our Why Illinois page offers a comprehensive overview of benefits at the university, highlighting our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It serves as a gateway for potential employees to explore over 10,000 faculty and staff positions, join our community of 56,000 students, and contribute to our status as a pre-eminent public research university with a global impact.
Jobs
Jobs page for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, highlighting the diverse job opportunities and the inclusive community at the university.
Recruitment
Our primary goal is to recruit talented individuals who enrich our diverse institution, fostering innovation and excellence through inclusivity and diversity.
Host a Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Student!
The Office of the Chancellor and Illinois Human Resources is pleased to offer the 2025 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). Give a high school student the opportunity to gain real-world experience while contributing to your department—at no cost to your unit. The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) connects talented local students ages 15-19 with meaningful, short-term positions across campus. By participating, you are helping to shape the future workforce and providing young people with valuable career exposure and mentorship.
SYEP students work up to 20 hours per week for eight weeks, from June 9 to August 1, 2025, gaining professional skills that align with their interests—or discovering new ones. The student’s rate of pay will be $15.00 per hour and will be fully funded by the program. Work arrangements can be in person, hybrid, or remote to fit your department’s needs.
Cost to Unit
There is no cost to your unit for a student.
Work Dates
Tentatively set for June 9, 2025 through August 1, 2025
Final Work dates will be determined once local High Schools confirm last day of school based on snow days used.
Work Schedule
Student work schedules can be flexible but must not exceed 7.5 hours per day. The program will pay for up to 20 hours per week in the unit and an additional 2-3 hours of Professional Development scheduled by our office and held outside of your unit each Friday.
Rate of Pay
$15.00 per hour
Department Responsibilities
Units hosting a student play a key role in their professional development by providing guidance, meaningful tasks, and a welcoming environment. Departments must:
- Complete a background check if the student is under 18 years of age.
- Approve time entered in the online TimeTracker system on a bi-weekly basis.
- Offer tasks and learning experiences that provide valuable skills and exposure to a professional work environment.
How to Request a Student Worker
Request a student by Sunday, April 27, 2025. Space is limited, and requests may close early if capacity is reached.
Please note: While we strive to match every request, placement is not guaranteed. Students will review job opportunities based on their skills and interests, and some may be placed in new learning environments.
Need a student worker? Submit your request today!
Want to see the impact of the program? Watch past SYEP students in action:
For questions, contact Tori Exum at texum@uillinois.edu.