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
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