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Alum Janelle Jones portrait with Capitol building in backgroun

Trailblazing advocate: As the first Black woman to serve as the U.S. Department of Labor’s chief economist, alumna Janelle Jones found a national stage in her push for equity.

Volume 23 • Number 3 • Fall 2022

By the numbers: Data drives national economist’s advocacy

As the first Black woman to serve as the U.S. Department of Labor’s chief economist, alumna Janelle Jones found a national stage in her push for equity.

photo of Special Olympian weight lifter spotted by Redbird football players

Going for gold: Ties between Illinois State, Special Olympics remain strong

Illinois State University has been home to Illinois Special Olympics since 1977.

Deep thoughts: Renowned Redbird scholar Dr. Paul Garris studies the brain and helps students expand theirs

An Illinois State faculty member since 1995, Garris has investigated the role of dopamine in the brain for nearly three decades, specifically as it relates to Parkinson’s disease and drugs of abuse.

David Kirk and Jack Blahnik with Redbird Esports players

Redbird Esports is here: Nationally recognized program continues growth with new facility

In a few short years, Illinois State has built a powerhouse esports program that has made the University a destination for a massive national and international population of prospective students who may have never known about the school otherwise.