Phyllis Baker
Phyllis Baker
Primary Affiliation: Equity, Justice, and Human Flourishing Working Group
Academic Affairs Advisor, Institute of Government and Public Affairs | University of Illinois System
Skill Highlights
Academic Administration
Analysis of Academic Policies and Procedures
Qualitative Research Techniques
Conducting Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Research
Policy Expertise
Featured Work
Milestones
EXPERIENCE &
BACKGROUND
ABOUT
Phyllis Baker is coordinating efforts to define the initial academic programming at the institute and is overseeing the Academic Executive Committee, which is composed of University of Illinois faculty from across the System’s three universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, and Springfield.
Prior to joining the Office of the President of the University of Illinois System, Phyllis was a teaching professor of sociology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is Professor Emerita from the University of Northern Iowa where she served as Head of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology; Director of the Women’s and Gender Studies; and Associate Dean in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
2019 – Present Director of Academic Affairs, Discovery Partners Institute University of Illinois System
2017 – 2019 Visiting Special Assistant to the President University of Illinois System
2016 – 2018 President-Elect/President Midwest Sociological Society
2015 – 2017 Assistant to Vice-Chancellor, Student Affairs Professor, Teaching Professor University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign
2012 – 2015 Department Head Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology University of Northern Iowa
1988 – Ph.D. (Sociology) University of California at San Diego
1981 – M.A. (Sociology) University of California at San Diego
1979 – A.B. (Sociology) San Diego State University
Engagement
Board of Directors
Phyllis Baker is a member of the Board of Directors for the Rape Advocacy, Counseling, and Educational Services in Urbana, IL. The program provides compassionate comprehensive support to those affected by sexual trauma. Phyllis Baker and the program engage with communities through prevention education programs that promote consent.
1,000 Faculty
As Director of Academic Affairs, Phyllis Baker designed and led the development of the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) academic policies and governance structures including bylaws, DPI faculty membership program, and the elected Executive Committee. Established and oversaw eight DPI thematic working groups that included 120 faculty members and 1,000 faculty in advisory groups. Designed and implemented an outreach plan for DPI and the U of I System universities that supported operations and communications/collaboration with faculty and university administration.
$5,000 Lecture Fund
As Director of Women’s and Gender Studies, Phyllis Baker secured a $500,000 bequest and a $5,000 lecture fund to Women’s and Gender Studies Program. She co-chaired a Program Reprioritization Task Force that designed the process for and evaluated 360 academic programs at University of Northern Iowa.
$2 Million
As the Department Head of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology at the University of Northern Iowa, Phyllis Baker oversaw a departmental budget of $2 million. She secured $85,000 for and oversaw development of a 25-student collaborative intensive technology classroom. She created and implemented an internship coordinator position and a vibrant and sought-after internship program across departmental disciplines.
Student Affairs
As Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Phyllis Baker represented Student Affairs on the Provost’s Council for Student Learning Outcomes Assessment that implemented a campus wide academic program assessment process and campus wide student learning outcomes. She co-chaired a Student Affairs Assessment Committee that created and implemented division wide program assessment, integrating division annual reports and institutional data metrics.
Recent Publications
Up Next
HONORS & AWARDS
POLICY
Policy Work
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