02/25/2026
Tomorrow (2.26.26) is the big day! Read below for a special note about our fundraising for this year’s Birds Give Back, and visit the link in our bio to donate.
This year, we’re raising funds to change the name of the Publications Unit Award in honor of ISU Publishing alum Jessica Wozniak.
Wozniak was an Illinois State University alum and Robert G. Bone Scholar who completed a BA in English–Publishing Studies and an MA in Communication. After graduation, she received a Fulbright Scholarship to teach English at the University of Montengro in Podgorica, Montenegro. She also taught for four years at Liceul Teoretic National & Colegiul National Bilingv George Cosbuc in Bucharest, Romania. An experienced public relations and communications specialist based in Chicago, Wozniak worked as the Senior Communication Manager at JLL. In 2024, at the age of 35, Wozniak was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer, which spread to her liver. Wozniak passed away recently after a tough two-year battle, on February 12, 2026.
Your gift during Birds Give Back will help us recognize Redbirds while building a legacy to remember Jessica Wozniak as we seek to name the fund in her honor.
