Image

Jeff C. Williams joined NPR Illinois in February of 2026. Jeff C. Williams was a graphic designer for the University of Illinois Springfield, is a member of the Springfield Art Association Collective Gallery, and is a cofounder of Dim Art House, a working art studio which also provides space for arts related events in the community. Jeff is a former events coordinator at The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space and is a board member of the National Scholastic Art Awards (Mid-Central Illinois Region). Recently, Jeff was selected as lead artist for a grant through Healing Illinois. A youth mentorship art project; which culminated with a 2025 mural in Springfield Jaycee Park. The Illinois State Museum purchased a set of Jeff’s paintings deemed of historical significance in 2024. Jeff is a founding member and songwriter for the band nil8. Which toured North America in the 1990s and early 2000s. He is a graduate of Illinois State University.

What do you like most about your job or what motivates you to wake up and go to work? Currently, the best thing is a cross betwixt learning something new and the exhilaration after a good interview happens with someone coming in for a segment! I get nervous! Then it all goes very smoothly! I'm still figuring it all out!

What drew you to your current position? I have been a lifelong listener and supporter of PBS and NPR... since I was a wee lad! My mama listened and I just loved listening too so that made it an easier decision to start working here.

What has been your favorite project thus far? Maybe the segment I did for National Sock Monkey day with members of Capital City Improv! They didn't know what for sure I was even going to spring on them. I just asked them to come in and told them to reach into a bag... the bag was full of old sock monkeys so they had to start improvising IMMEDIATELY!

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I would love to understand how to travel closer to light speed.

What do you like to do when you are not working? Ride my bike. Sometimes play in my stinking band that used to tour full time wayyyy back... and finish more painting for this upcoming solo art show I have coming up this summer in the Quad Cities.

What is something you learned just in the last week? I learned way more about data centers and I just don't know if I am on board with them!

If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? This is a challenging question... maybe Tina Fey!?!

What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know? Well.... some will know this but many do not.... my nickname in high school was Frog.

What is your motto or personal mantra? One should feel as much harmony that vibrates through this current molecular carbon-based realm as one can. 

Any favorite line from a movie? "Napoleon, don't be jealous that I have been chatting with babes... all day." - Kip Napoleon Dynamite

Image

We are excited to spotlight Beverly Bunch for her dedication, hard work, and expertise in her role at UIS. Beverly joined the University in 2001. In addition to her position as a professor in the School of Public Management and Policy, she holds a one-third appointment in CSPL. She has worked on projects such as a program evaluation of a certification program for the Free School Lunch program, a book on Community Action (anti-poverty) local leaders, and a series of projects on state budgeting with the Volcker Alliance. Beverly holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Masters of Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. On top of her academic work, she is active in the CSPL Social Committee and various community organizations. Beverly’s passion for her work and positive energy with colleagues make her a wonder member of the Center for State Policy and Leadership!

What do you like most about your job or what motivates you to wake up and go to work?

I am motivated by a desire to teach the current and next generation of government and nonprofit leaders and analysts. I enjoy helping students pursue their career aspirations and sharing my knowledge about public sector budgeting and financial management.

What drew you to your current position?

After living in Texas for 10 years, I wanted to return to my home state of Illinois. I applied for jobs in Chicago, but ultimately chose UIS due to its location in the state capital and the applied research opporunities in the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership. I also was thrilled that UIS was the home of NPR Illinois since I am a fan of public radio.

What has been your favorite project thus far?

The highlight of my career has been working on state budgeting projects with the Volcker Alliance, a nonprofit organization founded by former Federal Reserve Chair Paul Volcker. The Alliances shares my passion for conducting research and disseminating the findings to help improve state budgeting policies and practices. My work with the Volcker Alliance has allowed me to reach a broader audience for my research and to work with public budgeting experts at the Alliance and universities across the nation. I have enjoyed directing a CSPL research team, funded by the Volcker Alliance, which includes my colleague Dr. Patricia Byrnes and student research assistants. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I would like to learn how to write fiction. After spending a career writing research studies, I would like to switch gears at some point and write a mystery novel. What do you like to do when you are not working? I l play the French horn in three different bands, including the Capital Area Concert Band, the Trinity Wind Ensemble, and the 10 Cavalry Band (a Civil War re-enactment band).

What is something you learned just in the last week?

Through my work as Chair of the Program Committee for the Citizens Club of Springfield, I am constantly engaging with people in the Springfield community. Through our recent program on the Roles of the Arts in the Community, I learned about the many art events and programs in Springfield and the significant role they play in enriching our lives and boosting the economy.

If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?

I am a huge fan of NPR journalist and talk show hose Diane Rehm. She hosted The Diane Rehm Show for 37 years and is now the host of a podcast called On My Mind. She plays a significant role in helping her audience understand the complexities of public affairs issues, which is something I strive to accomplish. At the age of 87, Diane shows how someone can age with grace while still contributing to society.

What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know?

I taught economics to undergraduate students in China during the summer of 2016. I am grateful to my colleague Dr. Junfeng Wang for making the arrangements, serving as my interpreter, and helping me learn about the culture and people of China. I also had the opportunity to help Dr. Wang bring two groups of Chinese students to UIS to help them learn about our governmental entities and nonprofit organizations.

What is your motto or personal mantra?

One of my guiding principles is captured by the quote, “In a world where you can be anything - be kind” (Jennifer Dukes Lee)

Any favorite line from a movie?

“There’s no place like home.” – The Wizard of Oz

Image

Elizabeth Brago Boateng is a legal and public service professional with extensive academic training, holding two bachelor's degrees and three master's degrees, including an LL.M., MPA, and an MA in Legal Studies, she grew up in Accra-Ghana. She currently serves as a Program Director of Interns and Education at the Illinois Innocence Project (IIP), where she oversees internship programming and student development in the area of wrongful convictions and justice reform. She previously worked as a Primary Project Analyst (G.P.S.I) at the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) and also served as an intern with the Illinois Innocence Project. She is passionate about mentorship, education and reforms within the legal system. She enjoys travelling and exploring new places in her free time.

What do you like most about your job or what motivates you to wake up and go to work? The fact that I am positively touching the lives of the wrongfully convicted and inspiring interns.

What drew you to your current position? The opportunity to combine mentorship, education and advocacy in a meaningful way. I am passionate about students as they grow professionally while contributing to work that has a real impact on people's lives.

What has been your favorite project thus far? Planning lunch and learn events for the fall 2026 semester.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I would like to deepen my understanding of how law, public policy, education and community advocacy can work together to create lasting systemic changes.

What do you like to do when you are not working? When I'm not working, I really enjoy traveling and exploring new places. I love experiencing different cultures, trying new foods, and learning about the history and uniqueness of different communities. Traveling gives me the opportunity to recharge and appreciate how diverse people are.

What is something you learned just in the last week? Something I learned recently is that sometimes institutions must make adjustments to their regular routines in order to grow and excel. Adaptability is important because our environment, needs and challenges are constantly changing. adjustments to regular routine

If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? John Hanlon.

What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know? I used to think I wanted a very simple life and even considered leaving school early to sell tomatoes on the street- but life took a very different turn, and I ended up with five degrees (two bachelor's and three master's).

What is your motto or personal mantra? God is able.

Any favorite line from a movie? I will be back.