Jacob Friedman

Jacob Friedman is a 2023 graduate of the Master of Arts in Political Science program at the University of Illinois Springfield. During his time at UIS, Jacob served as Editor-in-Chief of The Observer, where he managed publication operations and mentored student journalists, helping them reach their writing goals while honing the organizational management skills he utilizes today.

His academic work at UIS was deeply rooted in the study of American governance. His research interests explored the complexities of polarization, elections, and election spending, alongside a specialized focus on public policy, Congressional politics and procedure, and Constitutional law. This academic excellence and commitment to the field were further recognized by his induction into the Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society.

Professionally, Jacob applies this systems-thinking approach as a Senior Software Engineer and Cloud Specialist. He currently serves on a Cloud Reliability Platform team, where he architects proprietary Azure solutions and manages complex DevOps environments using C#, Python, PowerShell, Bash, and other technologies. Beyond standard development, he utilizes expert-level skills in data visualization and agentic AI workflows to bridge the gap between technical innovation and strategic business objectives. He is currently working on a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

Jacob views his multidisciplinary background, combining his M.A. in Political Science from UIS with a B.S. in Simulation and Digital Entertainment and a Graduate Certificate in Applied AI from UNCC, as a distinct competitive advantage. This unique foundation allows him to navigate complex organizational challenges with a focus on diversity, communal evolution, and shared purpose. In addition to his technical career, Jacob has served his community as the Executive Director and Treasurer of the Beats for a Better Tomorrow Foundation.