Update – 7/18/26:
We are reinventing residential life at IMSA. This past spring, the State of Illinois made a transformational investment in IMSA’s future, providing a big portion of the funding necessary to replace our seven aging residence halls. Read more about this historic investment here. That investment gives us the physical foundation for the next generation of residential life.
But our vision has never been simply to replace buildings. What have 40 years of living and learning together taught us about what young people need to thrive? We listened to our community. We studied research and best practices. We visited other residential institutions. And again and again, three main themes emerged:
Care.
Connection.
Curiosity.
Those three ideas became the foundation for our vision for residential life. And they are the foundation of the Where Curiosity Lives Campaign. The State’s investment will build the core essentials of new residence halls. Philanthropy gives us the opportunity to bring the experience around them to life.
Through a $15 million philanthropic campaign, we are creating a new student center and experiences intentionally designed around Care, Connection, and Curiosity, places for wellness and student support; for families and cultures to come together; for students to study, collaborate, create, and recharge; and for you, as alumni and former colleagues, to return, connect, mentor, and help today’s students imagine what might be possible after IMSA.
Together, nearly 100 leadership donors have already committed nearly $9 million toward our $15 million campaign, demonstrating what is possible when a community believes in its future.
Today, we officially invite the entire IMSA family to join them. We are launching the public phase of the Where Curiosity Lives Campaign, an opportunity for every alumnus, every family, every faculty and staff member, every corporate partner, and every friend of IMSA to help bring this vision to life.
This is about far more than replacing residence halls. Our vision is to reinvent residential life for the next generation of students; to create a community intentionally designed around the whole student. It is about preserving everything that has made IMSA extraordinary while creating the conditions for future generations of students to thrive. It is about ensuring that curiosity continues to flourish. That community continues to inspire. And that possibility continues to have an impact. Today, we officially launched a bold vision for IMSA’s next 40 years.
While we have made tremendous progress, $6 million remains to fully realize this vision. No gift is too small. No act of generosity is insignificant. Every gift helps create a place where students feel cared for. Where they discover lifelong friendships. Where they explore new ideas and develop into the innovators, leaders, and changemakers our world needs.
We invite you to become part of IMSA’s next chapter.
Update – 2/26/26:
Your commitment to IMSA, and to future students whose curiosity, character, and courage will shape our world, has propelled this effort forward at a pivotal moment. Because you believe that residential living and learning are inseparable from the IMSA experience, you have stepped forward to contribute an essential early portion of the resources needed to rebuild the residence halls that anchor our mission. We are deeply grateful for your trust and partnership.
Historic Momentum in Springfield
On February 18, 2026, Governor Pritzker announced a historic $100 million allocation for rebuilding IMSA’s residence halls in the proposed FY27 budget, an extraordinary commitment to our students and our future. Combined with the $15 million secured through previous legislation, IMSA now has $115 million identified in public support toward the $147 million required.
However, this funding is not yet final. The Governor’s allocation becomes real only when members of the Illinois House and Senate vote favorably on the FY27 budget later this spring, with a final decision expected in June.
What Comes Next
Over the next three months, IMSA will work closely with the General Assembly to secure final budget approval through testimony and ongoing advocacy. And thanks to your founding support, our private philanthropic campaign has already raised over $8.6 million during the leadership phase, an incredible milestone that reflects the belief and momentum of the IMSA community.
Turning Momentum Into Reality
Between public funding and private fundraising, IMSA will have secured $124 million toward the total need if the Governor’s proposed budget is approved in late May. That leaves $23 million that we still need to complete this project, which we plan to secure through the public phase of our campaign, along with other potential funding sources. While we remain in the quiet leadership phase for now, the public phase of this campaign will be announced this summer, after the state budget is approved.
Your early leadership is sending a powerful message to the State of Illinois: the IMSA community is united, invested, and ready. Your commitment provides the inspiration and the momentum, helping ensure this public investment becomes a reality.
A Team Effort
Special thanks to our Capital Campaign Launch Committee members, who have provided crucial support to the early, quiet phase of the campaign through their time, dedication, personal contacts, and resources. We are grateful for their leadership and generosity – 100% of the Campaign Launch Committee has generously supported the capital campaign.
Campaign Launch Committee:
- Sam Yagan ’95 – Chair
- Matt Bornski ’03
- Matt Geitl ’12
- Erin Roche ’89
- Lacey Thomas ’08
- James Valadez ’99
- Cathy Veal
- Sharon Zeng ’08
The committee also received special help from Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall, Jacob Plummer ’96, and Luis Nunez.
Recognizing Our Generous Donors
Introducing the Infinite Curiosity Society
We are excited to share that IMSA has created a new campaign giving society to recognize and honor our earliest investors. Members of this society will be celebrated as foundational supporters in this campaign effort and will enjoy exclusive opportunities for recognition and connection, among other benefits. See a full listing on the Capital Campaign Donors page, linked in the menu to the right.
Transforming Residential Life at IMSA – Starting Now
Even before construction begins on any new buildings, this campaign is helping IMSA reshape the student life experience today. We are already working the themes of Care, Connection, and Curiosity into our current programming and facilities to prepare students and staff for the residential experiences that lie ahead.
- Care Initiatives
- Establishing a satellite security office in 1504 to enhance student safety
- Testing a student recovery room pilot to support well-being
- Hosting the inaugural Wellness Fair to promote holistic health
- Connection Initiatives
- Exploring family suite designs to better accommodate visiting families
- Created connection spaces/pods to foster community engagement
- Planned a campus-wide Community Day to bring together students, staff, alumni, and families
- Curiosity Initiatives
- Launched a Student Studio pilot space in 1503
- Gathering data to inform future tech lab spaces
- Aiming for 50% student participation in curiosity programming experiences
On behalf of our community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and friends, thank you for your support! Your belief in this vision and your enthusiastic participation are invaluable to us, and we look forward to keeping you informed as we continue building together.