Effective Fall 2025, DGS will become the Division of Exploratory Studies. Same mission; new name.

The Jeffries Center Mentors

The Division of General Studies partners with The Jeffries Center, formerly known as the Office of Minority Student Affairs, to assist first-year students with their transition to Illinois. 

Students are assigned a Student Success Advisor through the Jeffries Center for mentoring and additional support.  While DGS Academic Advisors continue to be the primary resource for all matters related to academic course planning, academic progress, and major exploration, the focus of the Student Success Advisor relationship is positive encouragement, campus engagement, personal growth, and transitional success to the university environment.