Upcoming Events:

The 2026 CUPA-HR Illinois Chapter Spring Conference takes place April 1–2, 2026 in Champaign, Illinois, at the I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center. This year's theme is Hop Into The Here and Now, the Everchanging Face of HR.

Agenda:

Schedule for Conference - CUPA HR IL 2026 - FINAL

Note: No NUTS in the conference rooms!

The conference brings together human resources professionals from across Illinois, representing both public and private higher education institutions, including two-year and four-year colleges and universities.

Organizations interested in supporting this event may wish to review our sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorship packages and benefits are standardized, and participation is entirely optional.

CUPA-HR Illinois would be honored to partner with you as a sponsor for our upcoming event.

For additional information about sponsorship levels and benefits contact [email protected].

#HigherEducation #HumanResources #HRLeadership #ConferenceSponsorship #ProfessionalDevelopment #IllinoisHR #HigherEdIllinois #CUPAHR

The Illinois Chapter of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (IL CUPA-HR)

PAST EVENTS:

Webinar:

The Illinois CUPA-HR Board invites you to attend an upcoming webinar.

Webinar: “Beyond Compliance and Influence - an IL CHRO Discussion”

Date: Monday, December 15, 12 – 1 pm CT

Description: Join the IL CUPA-HR chapter as we host CHRO leaders from Illinois Wesleyan University, Parkland College, and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to explore how rapidly evolving Illinois state laws are reshaping HR strategy in higher education. This session will unpack the most impactful recent Illinois laws - from PLAWA and pay transparency to leave expansions, and cannabis policy implications - and translate them into actional HR Priorities. We will also dive into what it takes for HR to operate as a true strategic partner by building credibility with senior leaders, influencing decisions through relationships, and aligning compliance with culture. Attendees will leave with practical insights and leadership strategies to strengthen their institutional impact and confidently navigate the changing landscape of higher education HR.

Registration Link:
https://lnkd.in/g2JxXGaN

SHRM and HRCI credit eligible.

Save the Date for Our Spring Conference 2026!

We are already planning our Spring 2026 Conference, most likely at the I-Hotel in Champaign in April.

Our theme will be “Hop Into the Here and Now…The Everchanging Face of HR”

This will help our HR professionals navigate where we are at and how to face some of our current challenges.

As in past conferences, the event will be approved for SHRM and HRCI continuing education units.

Webinar:

Webinar on November 20, 2025 at 2 PM on AI for HR:

Webinar Title:

AI and HR in Higher Education
Balancing Innovation and the Human Touch

Recording:

https://mchenrycc.zoom.us/rec/share/2RZEHTnvKSt7S3I4LilTpRH60_N1h3jrEAuVCCJL6U5LazirOfm8elLUm5YQ3pf2.anCrt6exYf32BEzP?startTime=1763668906000
Passcode: 7HE2m%$.

For the HRCI Code: Email [email protected] with your name and email address.

SHRM Code: 25-4D49C

Description:

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how HR teams in higher education recruit, manage, and engage employees. But how can we embrace AI’s potential while staying true to the human side of our work?

Join the IL CUPA Board in welcoming our newest Board Member, Kathleen McAndrew, Chief Human Resources Officer/Associate Vice President, Human Resources for Parkland College and SHRM-SCP for an insightful conversation on how HR professionals can use AI to streamline processes, enhance learning, and strengthen collaboration across campus — all while maintaining ethical, accessible, and people-centered practices.

You’ll discover:

Practical ways HR can leverage AI today
How to build confidence and a culture of experimentation
The role of partnerships with campus technology leaders
What the future of HR looks like in the age of AI

Don’t miss this chance to learn how to lead innovation in your HR department — and keep the “human” in human resources.

🗓 Date: Thursday, November 20th
🕒 Time: 2 PM
🎙️ Format: Zoom Live interview + audience Q&A

This webinar will be approved for HRCI and SHRM credits.

Credit codes will be provided to attendees at the end of the webinar.

Topic: AI for HR Webinar

Time: Nov 20, 2025 02:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://mchenrycc.zoom.us/j/99997772716?pwd=3v7bm1PLMkBJmSoxu5bQBxxcfjp5po.1

Meeting ID: 999 9777 2716

Passcode: 196028

One tap mobile

+13092053325,,99997772716# US

+13126266799,,99997772716# US (Chicago)

Join instructions

https://mchenrycc.zoom.us/meetings/99997772716/invitations?signature=bkpKiUwd6wDmpROBj2XI2YaBlImmMUVW6fi2GR_051k

Past Conference:

Thank you to everyone who attended our Spring 2025 Conference at the Hilton Garden Inn in Champaign. Over 150 people joined us for a day and a half of learning to Dive Right In!

April 9-10th, 2025.

Webinar, December 4, 2024:

Join the CUPA-HR Illinois Board for a Legal Updates Webinar on Wednesday, December 4th, 1 – 2 p.m.*

These Legal Updates will be given by Michael A. Kuczwara, Jr. who is a partner at Laner Muchin.

Michael joined Laner Muchin in 2015. He concentrates on representing public and private sector employers in numerous labor and employment law areas, including collective bargaining negotiations, grievance and interest arbitrations. He also represents employers before administrative agencies such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Illinois Department of Labor. Additionally, he represents public employers in representation petitions and unfair labor practice charges filed before the Illinois Labor Relations Board and National Labor Relations Board.

Thank you to everyone who attended our Spring Conference!

CUPA-HR Illinois Conference: Leading Change Through HR

Wed, April 3, 2024 - 08:00 AM CST - Thu, April 4, 2024 - 12:30 PM CST

I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center, 1900 S 1st St, Champaign, IL 61820, USA

2/29/24: Webinar: Reducing Stress and Burnout

Nevada and Illinois Chapters of CUPA-HR Webinar

February 29, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. PST/ 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. CST

This workshop was approved for 2 SHRM credits and 2 HRCI credits.

"Values, Voice and Velocity: The New Rules of Employee Engagement"

Allison M. Vaillancourt, Ph.D., Vice President and Senior Consultant, Organizational Effectiveness
View the webinar recording.

RECERTIFICATION CREDITS
SHRM 21-VDG2A
HRCI 573912

Full Calendar of Events

Visit the CUPA-HR calendar of events to see all the upcoming virtual sessions and workshops! Browse the calendar of events.