I am a 2000 graduate of the ENS Masters program. After coming from a very large university, it was refreshing to be in an environment where the student-to-faculty ratio was very reasonable. What also attracted me was the diversity of the program. I had heard that “Sangamon State” (UIS’ former name) was progressive in nature and indeed the courses reflected this fact. I did not have the “hard-science” background yet I was encouraged to enroll in several such courses including environmental chemistry and toxicology.

Dr. Ryan Taylor received his MA in Environmental Studies from UIS in 1998 before earning a PhD from Oregon State. Now a professor at Purchase College, Dr. Taylor applies both social and natural science research methods to his public policy studies. He has enjoyed a successful career as an environmental planner, policy-maker, and manager for every level of government. This allows him to bring real-world experiences to the classroom, exposing his students to practical challenges they will face as they pursue their environmental careers.

Marc Miller was the Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  He was a policy advisor for Governor Quinn, and has extensive involvement with conservation programs throughout the state. He has served as the Lieutenant Governor’s liaison the Illinois Rivers Coordinating Council, has worked on watershed projects in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and was the watershed organizer for the Prairie Rivers Network from 1999-2004.

Hometown: Bogota-Colombia

Why did you choose this degree at UIS?

UIS provides the best internship opportunities related for my field. I like that UIS has the option to pursue a graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems, which is highly desired in the environmental field.

What is your experience like as a graduate student?

Hometown: Girard, IL

Why did you choose this degree at UIS?

After earning my B.A. in Environmental Studies from UIS in 2019, I wanted to continue to explore my environmental interests. I chose this concentration because it offered opportunities to build and apply valuable skills, such as using Geographic Information System (GIS).

What is your experience like as a graduate student?

As an undergraduate student, Chemistry major and Capital Scholars Honors Program member Ashley Hollinshead got to do hands-on research at the University of Illinois Springfield. She was chosen, along with ten other UIS students, to present her research at the University of Illinois Undergraduate Research Day at the Illinois State Capitol. Her love of science led her to apply for medical school. She’s not sure what type of doctor she wants to be yet, but she knows she’ll be working in a field she loves.

Writing website copy for software and eCommerce companies, producing blog content and email copy, and running a self-established freelance business might not be what comes to mind when you imagine English students post-graduation. In today’s market, however, the skills learned in English classes are in growing demand.

Kaleigh Moore, a UIS graduate with a minor in English and a major in Communication, is one of many students capitalizing on her writing abilities.

The very first class our MA students are required to take is ENG 501—Digital Humanities. As a core class, it is required for both students in the Digital Pedagogy track and the Digital Publishing track. More than a requirement, the class serves as an introduction to the overall program. While it is founded on traditional graduate-level research, it also asks students to engage with texts in new ways. More specifically, it asks students to engage in literary/rhetorical analysis and criticism with the help of technology and interdisciplinary research methods.

As the position [at the University of Virginia] is unique to both the university and in academia, it makes the work I create all the more meaningful that people have taken its challenges seriously.