The Younger Chemists Committee (YCC) has received the 2025 ChemLuminary Award for Outstanding Local Section Younger Chemists Committee. This distinction recognizes local section YCCs that demonstrate organizational stability, strong membership and participation, meaningful involvement with their ACS local section, and a well-rounded portfolio of activities.
Receiving national recognition on its 10th anniversary highlights the committee’s ongoing dedication to engaging and inspiring the next generation of chemists. The East Central Illinois Local Section–Younger Chemists Committee (ECI-LSYCC) of the American Chemical Society was established in 2015 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Its mission is to support younger chemists in the local ACS section by providing professional development, leadership, and outreach opportunities.
This year, the YCC group launched new initiatives and events guided by past experiences and member feedback. Continuing its longstanding tradition of organizing industry tours, the committee coordinated a visit to Pfizer in St. Louis, where students explored the facilities, gained insight into the pharmaceutical industry, and connected with professionals. Outreach efforts included a Parkland Community College shadowing program, which enabled students to visit research laboratories under the mentorship of graduate students. In addition, the committee hosted a panel discussion with instrument specialists to showcase career pathways in chemistry beyond graduate school. To broaden its reach, the YCC group also organized social, networking, and recruitment events such as coffee breaks and a welcome event for new graduate students at Illinois.
The committee strengthened existing collaborations while forging new partnerships with local organizations. Collaborations included joint initiatives with the Department of Chemistry Graduate Student Advisory Committee (DCGSAC), the Women Chemists’ Committee (WCC), and the undergraduate ACS student chapter at Illinois. The partnership with WCC was further deepened through the establishment of a liaison exchange, leading to successful co-hosted events.
To expand professional development opportunities and enhance visibility, the YCC introduced an annual Travel Award. With funding secured from the Department of Chemistry, the award supports graduate students presenting their research at conferences. This initiative not only provides valuable professional experiences but also raises the committee’s profile at regional and national scientific meetings.
Participation in committee events remained strong throughout the year, with consistent engagement from new attendees and volunteers. Notably, the committee observed increased involvement from postdoctoral fellows, a trend it hopes to sustain while continuing to expand membership and outreach. These successes were made possible through the dedication of the board members, whose commitment ensured the organization of high-quality programming. While recognizing areas for continued growth, the YCC group remains committed to strengthening its impact in service to its members and the broader community.