University of Illinois Springfield announces 18 new faculty appointments

The University of Illinois Springfield has announced 18 new faculty appointments. Four faculty members will teach in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, six in the College of Business and Management, four in the College of Education and Human Services and four in the College of Public Affairs and Administration.

Hypatia “Tia” Bolivar, psychology instructor in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, holds a doctorate in psychology/behavior analysis from the University of Florida. Her research interests include behavioral analysis and relapse. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking/exploring, cooking, reading and her puppy.

Salem Boumediene, associate professor of accounting, economics and finance in the College of Business and Management, earned a doctorate in business administration-accounting from the University of Tunis. His research interests include bringing accounting and decision making research to practice. His personal interests include traveling and discovering new places.

Michael Chuang, assistant professor of management information systems in the College of Business and Management, holds a doctorate in business administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research interests include technology use for business, online learning, innovation and entrepreneurship. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, jogging, arts and cooking.

Tessica “Tess” Dooley, assistant professor of legal studies in the College of Public Affairs and Administration, earned her law degree at the University of Arkansas. Her research and professional interests include the evolving landscape of employee benefits law due to executive action, race and access to health care. Her personal interests include spending time with her 4-year old son, hiking, gardening and red wine.

Sahar Farshadkhah, assistant professor of management information systems (MIS) in the College of Business and Management, is expected to earn a doctorate in business administration and computer information systems from Louisiana Tech University this year. Her research and professional interests include MIS – cybersecurity. Outside of work, she enjoys Pilates, TRX and cooking.

Matthew Geras, assistant professor of political science in the College of Public Affairs and Administration, is expected to earn a doctorate in political science from the University of Oklahoma this year. His research and professional interests include American politics-elections, political parties, congress and representation. His personal interests include reading, running, hiking and sports.

Cathy Gunn, visiting professor of teacher education in the College of Education and Human Services, earned her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Oregon. Her research and professional interests include professional development, online learning, program assessment and strategic planning. Outside of work, she enjoys antiquing, visiting her grandchildren and traveling.

Timothy Hakenewerth, assistant professor of human development counseling in the College of Education and Human Services, is expected to earn a doctorate in counselor education and counseling from Idaho State University this year. His research and professional interests include counselor education and counseling, including the impact of previous work experience on counselor development and on clinical supervision. He’s also interested in leadership and professional networking. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, hosting friends for gatherings (and food), woodwork and watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball.

Amy Hewitt, assistant professor of teacher education in the College of Education and Human Services, is expected to earn a doctorate in educational studies/mathematics education from the University of North Carolina – Greensboro this year. Her research and professional interests include elementary mathematics, whole-class discussions and selecting student work. Her personal interests include running, her dogs, cleaning and being outside.

Xiang Huang, assistant professor of computer science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is expected to earn a doctorate in computer science from Iowa State University this year. His research and professional interests include theoretical computer science, algorithmic information theory and analog computing. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, playing badminton, hiking and biking.

Jose Irizarry, a doctoral dissertation fellow in public administration in the College of Public Affairs and Administration, is expected to earn a doctorate in public administration from Florida Atlantic University this year. His research and professional interests include public service and administration, nonprofits, human resources, organization studies, public policy, community engagement and diverse and inclusive pedagogy. His personal interests include time with family, cooking, helping others and exploring new places.

Adam Larison, instructor of music in the Department of Art, Music, & Theatre in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, earned a doctorate in musical arts with a focus on guitar performance and literature from The Eastman School of Music. His research and professional interests include classical music history, history of hip hop and new music improvisation. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, playing with his dog, baseball and football.

Daniel Platt, assistant professor of legal studies in the College of Public Affairs and Administration, earned a doctorate in American studies from Brown University. His research and professional interests include legal history and political economy. His personal interests include bicycling, chess and home maintenance.

Trung Pham, assistant professor of accounting, economics and finance in the College of Business and Management, is expected to earn a doctorate in accounting from Kent State University this year. His research interests include the impact of governance on earnings management and earnings quality. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, fishing and spending time with his family.

Misty Sax, assistant professor of athletic training in the Department of Allied Health in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, earned her doctorate in athletic training from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Her research and professional interests include clinical anatomy, concussion injuries in women's soccer and the impact of pandemic on student athletes. Her personal interest include making cards, reading and gardening.

Yuan Wen, assistant professor of management, marketing and operations, in the College of Business and Management, earned his doctorate in marketing from Washington State University. His research and professional interests include marketing-finance interface and marketing strategy. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling and playing racquetball.

Stephanie Maynard-Patrick, visiting assistant professor of management, marketing and operations in the College of Business and Management, earned her doctorate in business administration/management from New Mexico State University. Her research and professional interests include human resources and organizational behavior. Outside of work, she enjoys scrapbooking, reading and spending time with her kids.

Lisa Vinson, assistant professor of human services in the College of Education and Human Services, is expected to earn a doctorate in counselor education and supervision from Northern Illinois University this year. Her research and professional interests include America’s ethnicities, their dynamics and consequences of discrimination. Her personal interests include reading and watching historical documentaries.

UIS requires saliva-based COVID-19 testing for on-campus students, faculty and staff

University of Illinois Springfield students, faculty and staff living, working or taking classes on-campus are required to participate in free saliva-based COVID-19 testing once a week during Fall Semester 2020.

The saliva-based Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test was developed by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The test can detect the virus in people who are asymptomatic and/or individuals early in the course of disease.

Test results are expected within the same day and should not exceed 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.

Most UIS students completed their first test during Move-In Week when a temporary testing site was set up at The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC). Once classes start on Aug. 24, two testing sites will be open for students, faculty and staff to get tested in the Public Affairs Center and Founders Residence Hall.

Students, faculty and staff who are on-campus are required to schedule a time slot for weekly testing or indicate their remote-only status. Students, faculty and staff who are learning or working remotely and are not otherwise scheduled to be on campus do not need to participate in weekly testing.

However, any student, faculty or staff learning or working remotely who needs to visit campus for any reason must report to a testing site any day they come to campus, at least once per week.

The saliva-based testing is for non-symptomatic individuals who have not had a known exposure to COVID-19.

The UIS process for testing was created in consultation with the Sangamon County Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health.

You can learn more about testing requirements, testing hours of operation and contract tracing by visiting the UIS COVID-19 testing website.

Hundreds of students return to UIS for the start of fall semester 2020 classes

Nearly 900 University of Illinois Springfield students returned to campus for the start of Fall Semester 2020 classes during Move-In Week, held Aug. 17-21.

All students were required to pre-register for a move-in time slot in order to reduce congestion and support physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With COVID-19 we’ve created quite a different process, but it’s working out really well,” said Brian Kelley, director of UIS Residence Life. “Typically, students would have come to their communities to check-in, but this year we’re actually having them come through TRAC.”

At The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC), students and their helpers get their temperature checked and students take a required saliva-based COVID-19 test developed by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.


“As soon as we got here, we went and did the testing,” said Toinette Flowers, a parent with a sophomore attending UIS. “Nobody was in line. We went through with no problem. It was really easy.”

After students are tested for COVID-19, they receive their room keys and a “sani pack,” a special UIS 50th anniversary fanny pack that includes two UIS branded face masks, a digital thermometer, a door opener and hand sanitizer.

“The saliva tests were a little bit new and stuff, but I’m glad they’re taking precautions and everything,” said Kayla Krpan, an incoming UIS freshman. “It’s all such a crazy thing going on right now.”

Residence Life informed parents and students about the COVID-19-related move-in rules, such as masks and physical distancing being required, in advance.

“I think people are cautious of the year ahead, but what I've seen everyone's been very respectful of the rules we've set out there around wearing masks and being physically distant and really just honoring what people are asking them to do, so that's been really exciting to see too,” Kelley said.

For Krpan, who is from Bartlett, Illinois, living on campus was an easy decision.

“I feel like living on campus is a must for college,” she said.

Even though Kelley knows this won’t be a typical academic year, he’s excited to have students back on campus.

“We're really excited to make sure all of our students get moved in safely and look forward to the year ahead,” Kelley said. “We just want to make sure we're welcoming them all home to UIS for the year ahead.”

UIS awarded a state grant to increase the number of paid internship opportunities for students

The University of Illinois Springfield’s Office of Engaged Learning has been awarded a nearly $45,000 Illinois Cooperative Work Study Program grant to increase the number of paid internship opportunities available to students completing academic internships through the UIS Internships and Prior Learning Program.

The grant will provide matching funds for approximately 40 paid internship opportunities. Students will receive a wage of $12/hour for their work. Students can work a total of 100-300 hours per semester (or summer term), depending on how many credits a student seeks to earn.

Many UIS academic programs require students to complete an internship in their field before graduation. Internships provide valuable experience that can assist students in locating employment beyond college.

“During these challenging times, we are particularly thankful that UIS has been named as a grant recipient to administer this competitive internship program,” said Tammy Craig, director of the UIS Office of Engaged Learning. “Eligible students who might have postponed an internship over the summer due to extenuating pandemic circumstances, or were not able to participate in unpaid internships, will now have additional options to explore.”

Students participating in the Illinois Cooperative Work Study Program are required to enroll in an undergraduate internship course (IPL 300). Students keep a journal of their experiences, which encourages daily reflection, and complete other assignments as part of the course. Employers who participate in the program will match $1 for every $1 of Illinois Cooperative Work Study Program funding used to pay student interns.

“This grant benefits both students and employers,” Craig said. “The program is advantageous for employers who want to offer both typical and unique COVID-19 pandemic-related paid internship opportunities, since they now have the potential to receive additional funding that supplements wages for a paid internship.”

The grant will provide funding through Aug. 31, 2021. For more information, eligibility requirements, application links and deadline dates for each semester for both students and employers who wish to participate in the program, visit uis.edu/ipl/internships/grant/.