News & Events

In the News: Dr. Kriz on News Channel 20

In The News: Dr. Kenneth Kriz was interviewed on News Channel 20 about “Businesses struggling to hire despite unemployment benefits ending early”.

“SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — Some states have ended its federal unemployment benefits early as a way to get people back at work and to help businesses that are struggling to hire. But is this really working?

“Kenneth Kriz, a distinguished professor of public administration at the University of Illinois at Springfield says based on recent data, cutting off those extra unemployment benefits hasn’t been really effective in getting people back to work.”

Dr. Kriz is a Distinguished Professor of Public Administration at the School of Public Management and Policy.

Posted 09 10 2021

In the News: Prof. Anthony on News Channel 20

Legal Studies Professor Deborah Anthony, J.D., was interviewed on News Channel 20 by reporter Alyssa Hui on the “Legality of vaccine mandates in Illinois”.

Professor Anthony earned her J.D. at Georgetown University Law Center. She has been with the Legal Studies department since 2006. She previously practiced law serving indigent individuals, where she specialized in family law, domestic violence, civil rights, and housing law, including public and subsidized housing. She currently teaches in the areas of constitutional law, philosophy of law, poverty law, family law, employment discrimination, and public advocacy. She conducts research in modern and historical gender law, constitutional law, family law, employment discrimination, and the legality of the current practices of the U.S. Border Patrol. She has published articles on the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, employment discrimination under Title VII, parental leave policies at colleges and universities, and sex-based rights in family law.

Posted 09 09 2021

Interested in serving on the UIS Green Fee Committee?

Each academic year, UIS students, faculty, and staff can propose sustainability projects to help our campus more environmentally responsible. These projects are paid for using the $5/semester UIS Student Green Fee. Because students pay this fee, students get to decide how the money is used.

In the first two years, the UIS Student Green Fee has funded numerous “Green Projects” on our campus, including new water bottle filling stations in several buildings, a bike repair station, new bikes for the Campus Rec STARS bike share program, a garden for the Cox Children’s Day Care Center, a solar charging station, recycling bins for dorm rooms in FRH and LRH, and compost bins for the Student Union and the Cox Daycare Center Garden. For more information about these green projects and the green fee, check out our webpage: https://www.uis.edu/greenprojects/

We are now accepting applications for the student-led UIS Green Fee Committee, the group that helps UIS community members come up with innovative project ideas and decides which ones are funded and implemented. The Green Fee Committee is an excellent avenue for students to engage in a leadership role on campus while promoting environmental sustainability and serving the UIS community.

On-campus undergraduate and graduate students in all majors are welcome to apply. Applications are due Monday September 13, 2021 at 11:59PM. To apply, submit a current resume and a one-page cover letter describing why you are interested in the committee and the skills/experiences that you would bring to the position using this webform: https://forms.uofi.uis.edu/sec/45621918

Sincerely,

UIS Green Fee Committee Members and Partners

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Contact greenprojects@uis.edu.

Posted 09 07 2021

EVENT: Paralegal Career Exploration – September 22nd

UIS Department of Legal Studies and the Illinois Paralegal Association invite you to a Zoom Event

PARALEGAL CAREER EXPLORATION

Wednesday, September 22^nd from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Panelists:
Melissa Jurik, President of the Illinois Paralegal Association (IPA)
Elaine Agner, IPA Student Liaison Coordinator
Caren Mansfeld, IPA Downstate Section Chair

Bring your questions and let’s discuss what paralegals do, how they are trained and where they work.

The Zoom link: Join Zoom Meeting
https://uis.zoom.us/j/84535171279?pwd=ZUozbk4vMHY2N0ZjM25yMlZZaDhGdz09

Posted 09 02 2021

2nd Annual Symposium on Student Mental Health – September 15th

Announcing that the 2nd Annual Symposium on Student Mental Health is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, Sept. 15, from 10 a.m.-noon CST.

U of I President Timothy Killeen will emcee and invite special remarks from each university campus chancellor.

Guest speaker, Dr. R. Kelly Crace, will speak on “Flourishing through Chronic Too-Muchness.”

This event is planned by the system-wide Student Mental Health Committee and Dr. Avijit Ghosh Interim Executive Vice President and VP for Academic Affairs. This event is a follow up to last year’s symposium aimed at advancing the university response to the mental health needs of students at our universities.

Please contact Kathy Petitte Novak, Ph.D., Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education at kathy.novak@uis.edu for information on registration.

Posted 09 01 2021

UIS Pre-Law Center Presents: SEPTEMBER LAW FAIR EVENTS

September 10 | LSAC Digital Law Forum

Registration Deadline September 8

Meet with law school reps from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. CT
Attend live workshops starting at 1 p.m. CT
Gain access to on-demand workshops, only available to forum registrants

September 17 | National HBCU Virtual Law Expo

Virtual Law Expo, featuring law schools from across the country
Workshops, Panel Discussions, and Mater Classes
Keynote, Special Guest and Guest Speakers
HBCU Law School Deans Showcase from 6 HBCU Law Schools

September 25 | LSAC Forum – Chicago (in-person)

Registration Deadline: September 23 (Register online early to select a time-slot!)

JD candidates:

Meet with law school reps from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT (Choose a time slot during registration)
Attend a live workshop one hour prior to your entry time
Gain access to on-demand workshops, only available to forum registrants

LLM, master’s, and certificate program candidates:

Meet with law school reps from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. CT
Gain access to on-demand workshops, only available to forum registrants

September 28 | MAPLA Caravan Day 1: Virtual Law Fair for Illinois Students!

Meet virtually with admission representatives from law schools throughout the region.

September 29 | MAPLA Caravan Day 2: University of Iowa (in-person)

Meet with admission representatives from law schools throughout the region.

September 30 | MAPLA Caravan Day 3: University of Minnesota (in-person)

Meet with admission representatives from law schools throughout the region.

Email UIS Pre-Law Center at UISPLC@UIS.EDU for registration information!

Posted 09 01 2021

Congratulations to Prof. Amanda Hughett (LES) and Prof. Jason Piscia (PAR)!

The U of I Board of Trustees approved their two-year reappointment as Assistant Professors at UIS for Fall 2021.

To read their bios, visit:

Amanda Hughett: https://www.uis.edu/legalstudies/faculty/amanda-hughett-2/
Jason Piscia: https://www.uis.edu/publicaffairsreporting/jason-r-piscia/

Posted 08 27 2021

Congratulations to our newest Associate Professors!

In their July meeting, the U of I Board of Trustees approved tenure for Dr. Brian Chen (MPH), Dr. Egbe Egiebor (MPH), and Dr. Magic Wade (PSC).

Dr. Cheng-Chia “Brian” Chen received a PhD in Health Behavior from the Department of Applied Health Science at Indiana University’s School of Public Health-Bloomington. He also earned two Master’s degrees in Applied Statistics and Sports management (Concentration: Sports Marketing) from Indiana University-Bloomington. Dr. Chen has developed a sustainable research program that focuses on health inequality, health policy analyses, e-Education, health promotion, and chronic disease prevention/control.

Dr. Egbe Egiebor received her PhD in Toxicology from the University of Maryland and an MS in Environmental Science from Tuskegee University. Prior to joining UIS, Dr. Egiebor was a Public Health Assessor/ Toxicologist in the Department of Environmental Epidemiology at the Virginia Department of Health. Her research interests include studying the effects of different known chemicals and emerging contaminants of concern on humans and the environment. She is specifically interested in studying the mechanism by which chemicals induce toxic effects.

Dr. Magic Wade holds a Ph.D in Political Science from the University of Minnesota and has previously worked as a lecturer at Western Washington University where she taught courses on state government, comparative politics, and religion and public policy. At UIS, Dr. Wade teaches courses in the political science BA and MA programs, and the public policy BA program. Dr. Wade’s research and teaching evaluate the effectiveness of government policies aimed at alleviating social problems related to human welfare, public health, criminal justice, and economic inequality. Dr. Wade is particularly interested in comparing various national, state and local governmental approaches to relieving indigence, reducing crime and recidivisim, enhancing human dignity, and promoting social cohesion.

Posted 08 25 2021

Join the UIS Mock Trial Team

Are you looking for a way to get involved on campus?

Are you looking to travel, meet cool people, and compete in tournaments?

Do you want to compete in a criminal case?

Do you want to play a unique witness or an attorney?

If you said yes to anyone of these questions, then check out the UIS Trial Team!

All majors welcome and no experience is necessary! Practices will be in person on Thursdays starting at 6:00 pm in room UHB 1006.

For more information, please contact Coach Rex Gradeless at rgrad3@uis.edu or President Nikola Sowa at nsowa3@uis.edu.

Posted 08 24 2021

Criminal Justice Reform and Police Accountability Webinar

UIS is teaming up with the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation for a first-of-its-kind speaker series that embodies the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion and promotes social change.

The virtual event, called “Tackling Criminal Justice Reform and Police Accountability,” happens 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26.

Posted 08 23 2021

CPAA Welcomes Dr. Arwi Kriz as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Public Administration

Dr. Arwi Kriz (formerly Arwiphawee Srithongrung) begins as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Public Administration this fall. She has formerly served as a Visiting Research Fellow in UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership. Dr. Srithongrung-Kriz received her Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) from University of Illinois-Springfield. Prior to joining Illinois Institute of Public Finance, she was an Associate Professor (with Tenure) at Wichita State University (2013-2018) and University of Nebraska- Omaha (2006-2013). Dr. Srithongrung-Kriz has expertise in public budgeting and finance, fiscal policies, economic growth, and performance measurement. Her publications appear in Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, Public Budgeting & Finance, Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management, International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, International Journal of Public Administration, International Public Management Review, Journal of Public Works, Management, and Policies, and Research in Public Policy Analysis.

Posted 08 20 2021

CPAA Welcomes Dr. Yu-Sheng Lee to the Faculty of the Department of Public Health Fall 2021!

Yu-Sheng Lee, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology in the UIS Department of Public Health. Dr. Lee received his doctoral degree at the University of Memphis and his master’s degrees at the Tulane University and at Taipei Medical University. After his graduate training, he completed postdoctoral work at the University of Memphis. His primary research interests include clinical epidemiology and epigenetic epidemiology in lung cancer and lung disease. He has been working with large datasets from longitudinal studies, e.g., the Mid-South Quality of Surgical Resection (MS-QSR) lung cancer cohort in US and the Isle of Wight Birth Cohort (IOWBC) in UK. Dr. Lee teaches Introduction to Public Health and MPH courses in Epidemiology.

Education:

-PhD, Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

-MS, Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

-MS, Community Health, School of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan

Posted 08 18 2021

Welcome to Fall 2021 at the UIS College of Public Affairs and Administration!

Greetings Students and Faculty and Staff:

Well, believe it or not, summer 2021 is now behind us. Where did it go!? Given a rather tumultuous 2020-21 academic year, I hope you all had the chance to relax, take a break, and re-energize!? Coping with our COVID environment has not been easy for any of us. And with the rise of the Delta Variant of COVID (and other variants), I’m afraid we are all not out of the woods just yet. Therefore as we head into the 2021-2022 academic year I realize there may be some mixed emotions. And that’s ok!

Last year UIS and the College of Public Affairs and Administration did our best to accommodate faculty, staff and students’ health and safety needs, while at the same time offering classes, awarding degrees, conducting programs, holding events, and offering services to deliver a premier educational experience for our students. Sure, there were ups and downs, but we (and you) did not miss a beat as we strived for normality during COVID times. And here we are again at the start of the 2021-2022 academic year ready to embark on that academic year journey.

Just like last year, a wide range of classes are scheduled and student services and support will be provided. And this year faculty and staff are striving to provide that “on campus” experience for our students in the classroom and beyond as best we can. And yes, there will still be health precautions and safety measures in place again this year. Please follow all health guidelines and precautions to stay well and to make the most of the upcoming academic year for the entire UIS community.

So sure, there may be mixed emotions about the start of this fall semester and what’s in store for you. The uncertainty of COVID hangs over all of us. But, we cannot let it discourage us, or intimidate us or deflect us from our goals and aspirations. And it won’t, if we all take health precautions and follow safety guidelines.

In closing, put those mixed emotions aside and come back strong and smart! Students, renew acquaintances, make new friends, learn new things, and enjoy our campus environment and happenings. For faculty and staff, embrace the return of students, the return of colleagues, and the spirit of the institution. And for staff, relish in seeing students and faculty return to campus all because of all the hard work you do all year long for this University.

Let me extend my sincere wishes for a wonderful semester and year and know we are all in this together!

Stay healthy, stay safe and be well,

Dean Smith

Posted 08 16 2021

Farewell to Professors Tessica Dooley (LES) and Adam Williams (PAD)

The College of Public Affairs and Administration bids farewell to Professor Tessica Dooley, J.D., Assistant Professor of Legal Studies, and Professor Adam Williams, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Public Administration and Department Chair.

Faculty and staff wish you both good luck on your new endeavors!

Posted 08 13 2021

Welcome to Dr. Jose Irizarry, Assistant Professor of Public Administration

The Department of Public Administration welcomes Dr. Jose Irizarry as an Assistant Professor this fall.

Dr. Jose Luis Irizarry joined the Department in Fall 2020 as a University Doctoral Dissertation Fellow. In Fall 2021, he will begin his service in the Department as a Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Public Administration and Nonprofit Management. At UIS he serves as a member of the public administration graduate faculty specializing in nonprofit and human services, public administration, and social equity and impact. He is also spearheading the Department’s modifications to its graduate nonprofit curricular offerings.

Dr. Irizarry holds a PhD in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University and a Master of Public Administration (concentration in Management and Operations) and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (specialization in Criminal Law and Procedure) from John Jay College of Criminal Justice (the City University of New York).

Posted 08 12 2021

UIS News: Dillon Santoni ’22 – PSC

Dillon Santoni ‘22

Hometown: Alton, Illinois

Major: Master’s in Political Science

‘Santoni says he enjoys attending UIS because it has “a lot of resources and learning opportunities packed into a small college feel that allows for more time with professors and peers.” ‘

Posted 08 09 2021

UIS News: Diana Ibarra ’22, PSC/LES

Diana Ibarra ’22

Hometown: Fox Lake, Illinois

Majors: Political Science and Legal Studies

Future Plans: Attend law school

Posted 08/05/2021

IN THE NEWS: Dr. Kriz on WGLT Radio at ISU

Dr. Ken Kriz, Distinguished Professor of Public Administration on WGLT, NPR at ISU, about “Sales Tax Impact Is Murky For Normal As Rivian Sales Begin”.

Indeed, Layser said the Town of Normal may see some extra sales tax revenue come in, “but maybe not as much as you’d hope.” Kenneth Kriz, the director of the Institute for Illinois Public Finance at the University of Illinois at Springfield, agreed. “In terms of sales taxes, I don’t think it’s going to have a great effect,” Kriz said.

Posted 08 04 2021

Dr. Betsy Goulet on NPR Illinois – Community Voices

“How to prepare people who help children is the focus of the conversation with the the UIS Child Protection Training Academy (CPTA) director Betsey Goulet. The CPTA is part of the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership along with NPR Illinois. An older house on University Drive is the Residential Simulation Lab used with actors for training. Goulet notes the need for actors. Those interested in helping as actors can email her at bgoul2@uis.edu.”