Our Leadership

IGPA’s leadership team uses their experience and expertise in the policy world to lift the work of scholars from across the University of Illinois System.

DAVID MERRIMAN

interim director

David Merriman is Stukel Presidential Professor at the Univ. of Illinois at Chicago.  Since 2010, Merriman has held several leadership positions in UIC’s College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, including interim dean and associate dean for faculty affairs, as well as chair of the Department of Economics within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He also served as associate director at IGPA for three years.

Merriman has a national and international reputation for his work in public finance and urban economics and has published many scholarly articles on those topics. His areas of expertise include state tax policies, property taxes and business taxation. He has an interest in helping state and local governments develop fair and efficient mechanisms to raise revenue and implement public policy. 

At IGPA Merriman directs the U of Illinois’ Fiscal Futures Project, which monitors the fiscal condition of the State of Illinois. Much of his current research deals with the impact of the rise in Work From Home. 

Professor Merriman was appointed as the interim director of IGPA in May of 2023.

Senior Staff

Brenda Hixson is the Director of Strategic Operations at the University of Illinois System Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA). Before coming to IGPA, Brenda was the Director of Strategic Program Planning in the office of the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the University of Illinois System.

Brenda Hixson

Director for Strategic Operations

Alyssa began working as Coordinator of Collaborations at IGPA in October 2021. Before IGPA, Alyssa worked as an Urban Planner and in Economic Development in Bloomington-Normal. Alyssa earned her Master’s in Economics and Community Development from Illinois State University, her Bachelor’s from SIU Carbondale, and is a 2x AmeriCorps Alum.

Alyssa Cooper

Senior Coordinator  

Kyle Peebles is the Coordinator of External Relations at IGPA. Previously, Kyle served as the communications manager for the Illinois State Library. He spent four years on the House speaker’s issues staff in Springfield while also working on state legislative campaigns. Kyle holds a B.A. in administration of justice from SIU Carbondale.

Kyle Peebles

Senior Coordinator 

Rene Dunnam is the Senior Coordinator of Business and Events Management. Rene has extensive experience with budgeting, finance and business management in the federal, state, private and non-profit sectors. Prior to coming to the University, she was the Budget Officer with a US Army Research & Development Lab managing a $100M program

Rene Dunnam

Senior Coordinator 

Brenda Hixson is the Director of Strategic Operations at the University of Illinois System Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA). Before coming to IGPA, Brenda was the Director of Strategic Program Planning in the office of the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the University of Illinois System.

Harriet Erickson

Vice President, Student Affairs

Wesley Clarke

Senior Advisor to the President

Kyle Peebles is the Coordinator of External Relations at IGPA. Previously, Kyle served as the communications manager for the Illinois State Library. He spent four years on the House speaker’s issues staff in Springfield while also working on state legislative campaigns. Kyle holds a B.A. in administration of justice from SIU Carbondale.

Betty Bowman

Acting Vice President for Finance

Alyssa began working as Coordinator of Collaborations at IGPA in October 2021. Before IGPA, Alyssa worked as an Urban Planner and in Economic Development in Bloomington-Normal. Alyssa earned her Master’s in Economics and Community Development from Illinois State University, her Bachelor’s from SIU Carbondale, and is a 2x AmeriCorps Alum.

Johnny Jones

Dean, Diversity and Compliance

Dennis Ruiz

Acting Vice President of Administration

Vernon Lowe

Assistant Vice President for Communications