Think Global, Act Local

Illinois Extension embodies the land grant mission of University of Illinois, providing applied research and education to address societal grand challenges and local issues.

Read our 2024 ISPP Scholar Impact Reports:

COMMUNITY: Support strong and resilient youth, families, and communities

Broadband READY | Digital Equity
Language first programming
Connected Communities

ECONOMY: Grow a prosperous economy

Educational pipeline
College and career pathways
Illinois Works | Workforce equity

ENVIRONMENT: Sustain natural resources in home and public spaces

Community gardens
Agricultural equity
Environmental justice

FOOD: Maintain a safe and accessible food supply

Lt. Gov. statewide listening tours
Culturally relevant community gardens
Food inspection safety standards

HEALTH: Maximize physical and emotional health for all

Dr. Rebecca Crumpler Health Summit
Racial Healing Circles
HEROES: Health Equity Resource and Outreach Extension Supporters

Where are they now?

One of the main goals of the Illini Science Scholars Program is to allow scholars to consider work in the public sector. Many are continuing to do good work for communities in Illinois, in our nation, and around the world. Our alumni network is growing, demonstrating compassionate intellect and creative energy in the communities they serve.

Oluwakemi Adeyemi (2023), Doctorate, Law
Maria Cynthia Anderson (2023), TBD in July
Chukwuemezie Charles Emejuo (2023), Doctorate of Public Administration (UIS)
Elizabeth Gutierrez (2023), Chief of Staff, Latino Caucus Foundation
Oluwaseun Ojo (2023), M.S. Law & Finance, Oxford
Alicia Ross (2023), Visiting Coordinator, Broadband Lab
Yu Tian (2023), Traveling, pursuing Doctorate, Urban Planning
Patrobas Wafula (2023), Doctorate, Public Administration or ALEC
Susan Ogwal (2022), Policy Director, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Juliana Stratton
Shubhika Agarwal (2022), Visiting Coordinator for Broadband
Adrienne Pickett (2022), Senior Director for Early Childhood Education and Teacher Education Pathways · Illinois Community College Board
Roberto Rojas Alfaro (2022), Assistant Prof, Linguistics, Salt Lake Community College
Skye Lewis (2022), Public Health Liaison, CDC Foundation
Yasamin Khoshpour (2022), Assistant Director of Data and Accountability Systems, Illinois Board of Higher Education
Monserrat Carrillo-Rodriguez (2022), Visiting Extension Specialist, Integrated Health Disparities
Hannah Price (2021), Food Safety Coordinator, American Foods Group
Allison Wheeler (2021), International Global Education and Training Coordinator, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Ruth Adekale (2021), Med School applicant, Crisis Nursery
Diamond Ruffin (2021), Allendale Assoc., Clinical Case Manager
Ana Paula Bustamante (2021), Preserving Guatemala's natural resources: defensores.org.gt/

2023 Impact Snapshot

Conducted 20+ listening sessions across the state on digital equity, health equity, and food security
Supported 3 broadband grants
1 computational thinking grant
Representation by 3 ISPP Scholars at the Illinois State Fair
Monthly distribution of STEM / STEAM resource support materials to hundreds of K12 teachers
Governor’s Food Desert Advisory Committee Representative
Represented by 1 ISPP Scholar at Farm Progress Show (Iowa)
Facilitated 4 panel discussions across the state on topics ranging from digital, educational, and agricultural equity
Created a 3-part Cybersecurity Series: 351, 384, 451 unique opens
Over 1100+ community members directly reached by ISPP Scholars; thousands through State Fair and Farm Progress Show
Supported 9 conferences reaching 2300+ people
Lead moderator for 8 events on significant to host agencies
14 presentations across the state related to dual credit,
digital equity, health and safety, and STEAM/STEM
Facilitated 13 focus groups on critical issues areas of health and safety, health equity, food security, digital equity
Created STEAM statewide resource mapping tool
STEAM newsletter 800 new members (join/subscribe)
7 Listening sessions on rural affairs, women and girls council, economic development

Snapshot of impact in 2021 and 2022.

Surveyed 60 BMPI compliance officers to improve inspection safety
Planned nine health equity presentations
Facilitated four racial healing circles
Supported health, well-being and sustainability of beef production (4 cattle producers / 550 cattle) with study on anaplasmosis
Moderated panel on digital equity
Presented two presentations on education pathways and Broadband READY
Conducted three 1-hour webinars on dangers of lead- based paint & healthy living habits in Spanish
Presented at three Broadband Mapping / Accelerated Broadband Infrastructure Program meetings
STEM / STEAM resource support materials distributed monthly to hundreds of K12 teachers
Engaged 60+ stakeholders in statewide listening sessions: Agricultural & Food Insecurity Initiative
Designed and facilitated a 16 -week community health worker training program for eight Latina mothers in Spanish
Supported 11 public university visits for the Office of the Lt. Gov. with focus on discussions with students pursuing a career in education, university leadership, and leaders of teacher education programs
Planned one Chicago site tour for an urban agriculture initiative in Humboldt Park