The University of 缅北禁地 SpringfieldGraduate Public Service Internship (GPSI) Program has honored a recent graduate and a state agency supervisor with awards for excellence during the 2019-20 academic year.
Christopher Poetschner of Springfield was awarded the Brian T. Milbrandt Internship Award for academic and professional excellence in public service. Poetschner graduated on May 9, earning a master鈥檚 degree in data analytics from UIS. As part of the GPSI Program, he worked at the 缅北禁地 Department of Transportation (IDOT) since August 2018.
Poetschner鈥檚 nomination sites his contribution to the State Plane Coordinate System of 2022, as IDOT develops statewide recommendation for submissions to the National Geodetic Survey.
鈥淭he work Chris has been doing with coordinate systems will result in better quality estimation for roadway plan designers and when combined with other IDOT initiatives, will have a lasting effect on reducing internal expenditures and saving taxpayer money,鈥� said Drew Christopher, Poetschner鈥檚 supervisor at IDOT.
James Jennings of Springfield, manager of the 缅北禁地 Environmental Protection Agency鈥檚 Waste Reduction Unit, was honored with the Sagarika Madala Award for Exemplary Leadership as the UIS Graduate Public Service Supervisor of the Year. Based on a nomination submitted by intern Brock Titlow, Jennings was chosen for his exemplary leadership and work in public service. Jennings exposed Titlow to the work of a regulatory agency, while also giving him the opportunity to develop his interest in environmental legislation.
鈥淛ames combined the right amount of direction and freedom to let me learn, but also explore my own interests,鈥� Titlow said.
Sherrie Elzinga, director of the UIS Office of Graduate Interns Programs, said there were many compelling nominations for both this year鈥檚 student and supervisor awards. A video of all of the nominees can be found at .
The GPSI program provides graduate students with an opportunity to work in state, federal or local government and not-for-profit organizations, while simultaneously pursuing a graduate degrees in one of many graduate programs offered at UIS. Students receive a tuition waiver and stipend for their work and two years of professional experience.
UIS has a long history of partnering with the state of 缅北禁地 to train public service professionals and the GPSI program continues to offer training and mentoring for students who want to pursue a public service career.
鈥淭here has never been a more urgent need for well-trained public service professionals to protect the welfare and health of our citizens,鈥� Elzinga said. 鈥淯IS is prepared to meet that need and is committed to producing a new generation of public service professionals.鈥�