As an ISPP Scholar, Alicia V. Ross is appointed with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Broadband. Her work is significant as she looks to eliminate barriers to broadband and the digital divide. She supports communities, especially those that have historically been underserved and underrepresented in broadband access to bring digital equity to all neighborhoods. Alicia shared some thoughts with me about the ISPP program, and her work so far.

As an ISPP Scholar, Yu Tian is appointed with the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology. His work is significant in looking at gaps in STEM/STEAM resources and information gaps between people and resources. Yu shared some thoughts with me about the ISP program, and his work so far.

Why did you apply for the Illini Science Policy Program?

As an ISPP Scholar, Elizabeth Gutierrez is appointed with the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus/Latino Caucus Foundation. Her work is significant in helping to build out a new vision for the ILLCF to better meet the needs of Latino communities in Illinois by helping to better understand what are the priority needs of various neighborhoods, and what policies may be best considered by legislators as they relate to underrepresented and underserved communities.

As an ISPP Scholar, Chukwuemezie (Charles) Emejuo is appointed with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Broadband. His work is significant as it explores the ways in which the digital divide may be eliminated in Illinois communities and how best to support digital equity among communities with high immigrant populations. Charles shared some thoughts with me about the ISPP program, and his work so far.

As an ISP Scholar, Shubhika Agarwal is appointed with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Broadband. Her work is vital in identifying and evaluating the broadband needs of the communities of Illinois. Her skills are instrumental in data analytics and mapping, along with ensuring compliance for our communities. Shubhika shared some thoughts with me about the ISP program, and her work so far.

     As an Illini Science Policy Scholar (ISP ), Adrienne Pickett is appointed with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Broadband.

As an ISP Program Fellow, Diamond Ruffin is working with 12 Illinois communities awarded funding through the Connect Illinois grant sponsored by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Office of Broadband.