Doug Shaw has been an I.T. professional for Caterpillar, beginning his career as a program analyst in 1997, and is currently a Business Process Specialist in I.T. risk management. Mr. Shaw has also taught management information systems as an adjunct lecturer at the University of 缅北禁地 at Springfield-Peoria Center for 20 years. He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Western 缅北禁地 University. He also serves as Board President for Solvera Healthcare and is the immediate past President of the Board of Education for Peoria Public Schools. Mr.
Jean-Pierre Lucas was born in Lima, Peru, but since a young age his family moved to Champaign, 缅北禁地.
Mark Danenhauer, a 2005 graduate, received a Special Merit award for his thesis entitled 鈥滵etermining the Optimal Degree of Local Involvement in the Management of a National Park鈥�. Before coming to UIS, Mark spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Madagascar. He was awarded the Environmental Studies Alumni Award in 2004 in recognition of his exemplary dedication to environmental issues and demonstrated involvement in environmental projects.
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 鈥淪angamon State鈥� (UIS鈥� former name) was progressive in nature and indeed the courses reflected this fact. I did not have the 鈥渉ard-science鈥� 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 缅北禁地 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鈥檚 liaison the 缅北禁地 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聽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 缅北禁地 Springfield. She was chosen, along with ten other UIS students, to present her research at the University of 缅北禁地 Undergraduate Research Day at the 缅北禁地 State Capitol. Her love of science led her to apply for medical school. She鈥檚 not sure what type of doctor she wants to be yet, but she knows she鈥檒l 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鈥檚 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.