As an ISPP Scholar, Shreya Joshi is appointed to the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology. Her work focuses on business analytics for work flow efficiencies, especially in crisis situations. Shreya also works with her Extension Mentor to look at ways to better enhance instructor and user performance in an online platform.
Why did you apply for the Illini Science Policy Program?
I applied to this program because I am passionate about leveraging advanced technology to solve challenges and make a lasting, positive impacts on communities; and I see this program as an excellent opportunity to contribute to public service by using innovation to simplify and improve people's lives in several ways.
Additionally, I realized this was a great chance to continue my association with the University of Illinois, first as a student and now as a professional. This program stood out to me because it’s designed for recent graduates, offering a chance to understand how the public sector works and make a difference.
Moreover, upon learning about the participating agencies, I was particularly excited to apply to my current host agency, Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology. With a strong background in IT and four years of experience in the industry, I saw this as a unique chance to leverage my technical expertise, managerial acumen, and research skills to contribute meaningfully to public service.
I believe thoughtful policy-making can create lasting change in communities, and being a part of this process would be an amazing chance to help contribute in developing solutions that improve lives of people.
Tell us a bit about what you hope to accomplish as a result of being a 2024 Scholar.
As a 2024 Scholar, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of how public policy works and discover how I can best contribute to the public sector. By working with my host agency, I aim to work on the projects that develop and implement advanced technical solutions to make them accessible & available for all.
I am also committed to working on projects that help other state agencies, making sure the technical services they use work well— as this ultimately benefits the wider community. In addition to that, I am a part of an initiative at our State Agency that promotes STEAM education.
Tell us a bit about what you are working on for your host agency.
I am a part of multiple ongoing projects at my host agency DoIT, including a Business Continuity Management project for which I work as a Business Analyst. My role involves analyzing processes, documenting requirements, and collaborating with stakeholders to develop comprehensive plans and strategies for effective crisis management.
Additionally, I work with my Manager on an initiative at our State Agency that promotes STEAM education. This initiative is specifically aimed at researching & providing meaningful resources through Newsletters & our website - for educators & students, and inspiring K-12 students to explore STEAM fields. Through this experience, I hope to drive meaningful innovation and inclusivity, creating positive, lasting impacts for all. Furthermore, I am excited about my upcoming project on Enterprise Application Services.
Tell us a bit about what you are working with your Extension Mentor (or what you will be doing)?
I am working with my Extension Mentor on a data analysis project using the Intelliboard platform. In this project, we analyze data from the Moodle platform to gain insights into user engagement, learning patterns, and performance trends. This work is particularly useful for administrators, and decision-makers, as it helps them improve course delivery, enhance student outcomes, and make data-driven decisions to support effective learning.
What does being in public service mean to you?
To me, being in public service means contributing to the betterment of our community in every way possible. It’s about understanding the needs of people, addressing challenges, and finding practical and sustainable solutions to improve their lives. I also believe that utilizing my skills and efforts in the most effective way to make a transformative impact on the community is an essential part of it.
What makes the work you are doing as an ISPP Scholar meaningful to you? (Please specify between you host agency work and your Extension mentor project)
The work I am doing as an ISPP Scholar is deeply meaningful to me because it allows me to help create solutions that positively impact communities. At my host agency, the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology, I am working on projects that provide advanced technical solutions to other state agencies, ensuring their services operate efficiently. This work is especially fulfilling because it directly benefits the community by improving access to vital resources and making services more effective.
Being involved in promoting the STEAM initiative is incredibly fulfilling because it allows me to collect & promote meaningful resources for educators, and to share opportunities for K-12 students to explore and develop a passion for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. It is rewarding as it makes me realize I am doing my bit to promote STEAM resources for the students statewide.
In addition, project with my Extension Mentor on the Intelliboard platform gives me the opportunity to analyze data from Moodle and provide insights that can enhance learning experiences. This work is meaningful because it supports educators and decision-makers in improving course delivery, fostering better learning outcomes, and promoting equitable access to education, including in remote areas.
Together, these experiences enable me to make a meaningful contribution to public service by addressing real-life challenges and actively working to solve them. They provide an opportunity to drive innovation, foster inclusivity, and create positive change that benefits communities across the state.
What is one thing that you have learned since becoming an ISPP Scholar that has made an impression on your transition from graduate student to career individual?
As an ISPP Scholar, I’ve learned how important adaptability is in navigating the complexities in any domain. Working in the public sector and observing real-world challenges up close has broadened my perspective, helping me understand how to develop solutions - that are innovative, practical and accessible. This experience has been a valuable lesson for me in turning academic knowledge into meaningful, real-world impact.
Why is/are the issue(s) important to the communities with which you are working?
The issues I’m working on are vital to the communities I serve because they address key challenges that impact everyday lives. From improving access to technology and educational resources to ensuring essential services operate efficiently, these efforts are focused on supporting individuals and enhancing their opportunities. It’s about ensuring everyone has access to the tools and support they need to succeed, fostering a more inclusive and equitable future.
Who is impacted by the issue(s) you are working on?
The work I do supports operations within my host agency and contributes to other state agencies by providing technical and network services, ensuring their systems function smoothly and efficiently. Additionally, educators and K-12 students benefit from the resources I research and share, which help promote STEAM education, enhancing teaching experiences and fostering better learning opportunities.
What is the most unexpected thing about this program so far?
The most unexpected thing about this program so far has been the sheer diversity of experiences and opportunities it offers. I anticipated gaining technical and policy-related skills, but I didn’t expect how much I would learn about the working of public sector, collaborating across different domains, and understanding the broader impact of public service work. The program has also provided a deeper sense of purpose, showing me how even incremental contributions can create a major transformation. This combination of professional growth and personal fulfillment has been both surprising and incredibly rewarding for me.
If you could do one thing through this program and think “Wow, I did that,” what would you like it to be?
It would be creating a sustainable and impactful framework or tool that continues to benefit the community well beyond the program.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I am immensely grateful for this wonderful opportunity provided by our beloved university. A big thank you to the University of Illinois Extension for thoughtfully curating such an impactful program. This experience not only allows me to apply my skills & knowledge through multiple ongoing projects, but also provide opportunities to represent my State Agency in conferences, connect with fellow ISPP Scholars, gain valuable insights from guest speakers during Coffee & Conversations, and access a variety of other enriching resources. I cannot express enough how deeply grateful I am for the incredible support system I have through my Extension Supervisor Evangeline Pianfetti, my Manager Mary Reynolds from the host agency, and my Extension Mentor Adena Wilson. Their guidance and encouragement have made this journey truly meaningful. The opportunity to learn, the open space to share ideas and insights, and the ability to discuss concerns with such helpful and understanding individuals have enriched this entire experience for me. Their support not only makes this process worthwhile but also helps us grow and thrive as we navigate our development journey. I am sure I will continue to meet more such amazing people throughout the journey, and continue to learn from their experiences, and grow both personally & professionally through these meaningful connections.
More information about the Illini Science Policy Program is available on our website. Keep reading to learn more about Shreya's colleagues in the of 2025 ISPP Scholar Class.