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Political Science News

Spring 2024 Congratulations Teachers Ranked as Excellent, David Kinley Hall
Spring 2024 Teachers Ranked as Excellent
Congratulations to all the faculty and teaching assistants on the Spring 2024 List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent.  A special congratulations to the 17 instructors from the Department of Political Science who are on the list:  Seongjoon Ahn 230 TA Scott Althaus 519 Rob Carroll* 300 Don...
Rayna Patel and Erin Haslett
2024 Senior Thesis Awardees
We would like to congratulate Erin Haslett and Rayna Patel, winners of the 2024 Senior Thesis Award as part of the Political Science Honors Program. We asked Erin and Rayna to share a bit about their research experiences and future plans! Erin Haslett...
Faculty members receive named scholar and professorship positions
The College of LAS has honored 17 professors with named scholar and professorship positions in recognition of their contributions to research and education at the University of Illinois. The named positions include the Brad and Karen Smith Scholars, the Lincoln Excellence for Assistant Professors...
Jessica Vargas, Priyanka Zylstra, and Jon Hale in front of capital.
Student Spotlight: Jessica Vargas
HRI David F. Prindable intern Hafsa Faruqi spoke with Jessica Vargas, a senior majoring in political science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Vargas was part of the university delegation attending ...
Teachers Ranked as Excellent. Congratulations. Spring 2023. Image: David Kinley Hall
Spring 2023 Teachers Ranked as Excellent
Congratulations to all the faculty and teaching assistants on the Spring 2023 List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent.  A special congratulations to the 15 instructors from the Department of Political Science who are on the list:  Spring 2023 Ekin Alpay PS 100 TA Kristin...
Head shot Emily Sallenback
2023 Senior Thesis Awardee
We would like to congratulate Emily Sallenback, who was awarded the 2023 Senior Thesis Award as part of the Political Science Honors Program. We asked Emily to share a bit about her research experiences and future plans!     What was the title of your Thesis...
Text: Teachers Ranked as Excellent, grey lettering. Background blue with orange ombre circle in center
Summer and Fall 2022 Teachers Ranked as Excellent
Congratulations to all the faculty and teaching assistants on the Summer and Fall 2022 List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent.  A special congratulations to the 21 instructors from the Department of Political Science who are on the list:    Summer 2022  Hyo-...
Head shot Thomas Ballard. Tyeese Braslavsky on steps in front of David Kinley Hall
2022 Senior Thesis Awardees
We would like to congratulate Thomas Ballard and Tyeese Braslavsky, who were awarded the 2022 Senior Thesis Award as part of the Political Science Honors Program. We asked Thomas and Tyeese to share a bit about their research experiences and future plans!   Thomas Ballard...
Bill Billeaud

Alumni Spotlight: Bill Billeaud

WILLIAM BILLEAUD (’85) is an international business executive. He is the President of Lombard Global, Incorporated, which provides investment banking and management consulting services to companies looking to expand their global presence. When he first came to the University of Illinois, Bill thought he would follow in his father’s footsteps and become a general practice lawyer. During his time in the department, though, he found that he really enjoyed classes on comparative (international) politics, history and economics. This led him to consider international business and/or law as career...

2024 Nominations

Alumni Awards

University of Illinois Political Science alumni have made significant contributions in many fields – academia, the law, government, politics, business, media and others. The Department of Political Science recognizes exceptional alumni each year through its alumni awards program. The nomination process is simple and open to all. We encourage you to nominate a candidate you think is deserving. Awards will be presented at an Alumni Awards Banquet in April each year.

Nominate a recipient