UIS's School of Public Management and Policy

05/27/2026

On May 5, 2026, the University of Illinois Springfield held its annual Faculty Honors Celebration. During this ceremony, faculty within the UIS's School of Public Management and Policy were celebrated for the following:

Early Career Scholarship Award
✳ Suyang Yu

Center for Faculty Excellence programs recognized recipients of the Provost’s Certificate for Excellence in Professional Development:
✳ Joseph Schweickert, Public Management and Policy

Faculty recognized for their contributions to the Guiding Lights New Faculty Peer Mentoring Program:
✳ Rick Funderburg, Public Management and Policy
✳ Youngjin Kang, Public Management and Policy
✳ Jun Wang, Public Management and Policy

Completed the UIS Peer Review of Teaching Program
✳ BJ Fletcher, Public Management and Policy

Faculty recommended for promotion to full professor:
✳ Ty Dooley, Public Management and Policy
✳ Arwi Sai Kriz, Public Management and Policy

View the full list here: https://www.uis.edu/news/uis-honors-faculty-2026-faculty-honors-celebration

04/27/2026

The 2026 U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings are out, and the UIS School of Public Management and Policy is ranked #92 out of the 266 top schools for Best Public Affairs Programs.

These rankings are based on peer assessments of academic quality, collected in early 2026 from deans, directors, and department chairs at accredited public affairs programs nationwide. Respondents rated programs on a 1–5 scale, and scores were calculated using an averaged peer review method to ensure fairness and balance.

While rankings are just one factor to consider, this recognition reflects ’s strong reputation for academic quality in public affairs education. 🎓

Explore the rankings here: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-public-affairs-schools/public-affairs-rankings

04/09/2026

02/17/2026

Congratulations to Freeport city manager Rob Boyer, Graduate of our Master's of Public Administration program.

10/18/2025

Please join us for a lunch-and-learn on Tuesday, December 21, to discuss the 2025 federal government shutdown.

Register: https://forms.uofi.uis.edu/sec/259399528

09/22/2025

Through a collaboration with UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership, the School of Public Management & Policy invited a group of 9 students from Knox College, led by Dr. Andrew Civettini, Department Chair of Political Science and International Relations and Tiffany Springer, Associate Director of Career Exploration & External Relations, to UIS for a program information session after their participation at the Constitution Day event.

09/10/2025

A round of applause for our MPA graduate, David Dorgan, Assistant City Manager at the City of Beeville, Texas!

When the plane from Moscow, Russia, carrying the Dorgan family, touched down in Chicago, Illinois, on New Year’s Eve in 1992, it marked more than just the beginning of a

09/09/2025

The City of Decatur, IL is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as their next Assistant Director of Economic & Community Development. Salary: $105,000–$135,000

Responsibilities:
• Lead efforts to attract new businesses, retain existing enterprises, and drive private investment.
• Manage complex redevelopment projects from concept to completion.
• Oversee and optimize the City’s TIF districts and development incentives.
• Partner with community stakeholders, regional organizations, and business leaders to shape Decatur’s future.
• Provide leadership to staff while supporting the Director and stepping in as Acting Director when needed.

Eligibility:
• A bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in Economic Development, Business, Public Administration, Commercial Real Estate, or related field
• 5+ years of progressive experience in economic or community development
• Supervisory experience (minimum 1 year required, 2+ preferred)
• Strong knowledge of development tools, municipal housing standards, and public/private partnerships
• A track record of successful leadership in economic development initiatives

Applications due by September 21, 2025
👉 Apply online:

The OpportunityThe Assistant Director is a management position that assists the Department Director in planning, administering, coordinating, supervising and directing the work of the department, and assists the Director in the development, implementation, marketing, and maintenance of the City’s ...

07/27/2025

Amanda M. Brown 24 Occupation: Member engagement coordinator, Illinois Senate Email: [email protected] Education: Bachelor of arts in communication and education from UIS; Master's in public...