Sean McCandless, Ph.D., assistant professor of public administration at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been named University Scholar for 2021. The award, considered the university system’s highest faculty honor, recognizes outstanding teaching and scholarship. Only one faculty member receives the annual award at UIS.

Communication instructor and Speech & Debate director, Timothy Bill, was given the Pat Langley Award for Outstanding Community Engagement this past May. The award is given to individuals who what have been involved in outstanding community-based engagement benefitting LGBTQIA+ communities. Congratulations on your achievement, Professor Bill!

Communication professor Dr. Novak was recently featured in Ms. Magazine for her recent article Working Women are Still Fighting Implicit Bias. The article discusses her research regarding women in the labor force, as well as her first time teaching an all-female graduate course.

Hometown: DeKalb, IllinoisMajor: Environmental StudiesFuture Plans: Work at a veterinary clinic or a wildlife rehab center