Reform: Restoration, Revitalization and Representation
The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (ILBCF) and University of Illinois Springfield will convene its fourth speaker series session which will be on ILBCF's Pillar III, which focuses on eliminating the Black community's barriers to economic access, equity and opportunity.
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Jose Rodriguez-Stahr of Thayer awarded a $8,000 scholarship from the University of Illinois Springfield
Jose Rodriguez-Stahr of Thayer, a 2017 graduate of Reavis High School in Burbank, Illinois, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for Fall Semester 2022 and awarded a $4,000 Lincoln Merit Scholarship for tuition over two years. At UIS, he will major in pre-nursing.
The scholarship is awarded based on high school GPA and can be renewed for a total of four years if the student maintains college GPA requirements.
In high school, he played football and was on the wrestling and track teams.
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Mark Danenhauer
Mark Danenhauer, a 2005 graduate, received a Special Merit award for his thesis entitled ”Determining the Optimal Degree of Local Involvement in the Management of a National Park”. 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.
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Brad Muise
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.
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Ryan Taylor
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.
