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.
Robin Fretwell Wilson
Director of Institute of Government and Public Affairs
Currently on temporary leave, please contact Brenda Hixson if you have questions at 217-265-7144
Robin Fretwell Wilson is the Director of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) for the University of Illinois System and the Mildred Van Voorhis Jones Chair in Law at the University of Illinois College of Law. Professor Wilson co-leads IGPA’s Equity, Justice and Human Flourishing Working Group. A prolific scholar, Professor Wilson is a member of the American Law Institute, a MacArthur grant co-investigator, a Fulbright scholar, a Visiting Plumer Fellow at Oxford University, and has thrice been honored for her work with lawmakers on innovative laws that address thorny questions, such as how to mesh LGBT rights with protections for religious belief and practice.
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
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