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