May 07, 2026
Saluki Takeover Tour Southern Illinois blankets region
SIU Carbondale undergraduate admissions, university officials, faculty and staff proved to be road warriors in April during the Saluki Takeover Tour Southern Illinois.
Undergraduate Admissions visited 51 high schools in just 14 days, engaging directly with more than 300 students and 51 counselors, principals, and superintendents across the region. And it’s providing results — as of late April, 305 students from the region enrolled for the fall 2026 semester, said Sarah Jiter, undergraduate admissions director.
“Southern Illinois is our home, and this tour is about investing in its future. Every visit, conversation, and connection reflects our commitment to creating opportunities for students right here in our region,” Chancellor Austin A. Lane said. “These results speak to the power of intentional outreach and meaningful engagement, and we are proud to see more students from Southern Illinois choosing Southern as the place to achieve their goals.”
The tour road map — from April 2-29 — covered 1,932.5 miles, or slightly more than driving from SIU to Los Angeles. In addition, Wendell Williams, vice chancellor for enrollment management, logged another 909 miles on trips to visit schools on eighth-grade nights. When combined, the 2,841.5 miles is slightly more than driving across the country.
University Communications and Marketing supported the initiative with daily social media coverage, and participating high schools amplified the message by highlighting SIU and their own communities, Jiter noted. A recap video highlights the tour and underscores the collective impact and momentum the Saluki Takeover Tour Southern Illinois generated.
The initiative also included alumni engagement and community outreach as the SIU Foundation hosted five Chancellor’s Receptions across the region, with events at the Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, Lake of Egypt, Mount Vernon, Carterville and Red Bud.