Our Impact

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.

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            

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