Bio: Crystal E. Snodgrass, DPA Doctoral Candidate, is investigating whether the extent to which health care partners collaborate in a Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) affects ACO performance on federal quality and cost measures. An ACO is a formal partnership established by health care providers willing to be accountable for the cost and quality of care for their patients in exchange for a share in the cost savings associated with improving care.

Hometown: Springfield, IL

Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Illinois at Springfield, Business Management

Graduate Institution and Major: University of Illinois at Springfield, Public Administration

Hometown: Marion, IL.

Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Southern Illinois at Carbondale, Administration of Justice.

Graduate Institution and Major:  University of Southern Illinois at Carbondale, Administration of Rehabilitation

Bio: Brent Todd is a member of the 2015 cohort. He has served in faculty, support, and administrative positions in higher education since 2002. He is currently dean of instruction at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Illinois. Mr. Todd’s research interests include community college faculty teaching load and its implications for management and policy.

Degrees: B.S. Botany and M.S. Biological Sciences, Eastern Illinois University

Email: btodd3@uis.edu

Bio: Keyria Rodgers is a member of the 2015 cohort. Her professional experience extends across 11 years in government and 5 years in academia as Director of Millikin University’s Criminal Justice Department, Director of the Teen Justice Diversion Program, Instructor of Criminal Justice, grant writer, program manager, independent consultant, and Restorative Justice trainer for multiple government and community-based programs. Ms.

Bio: Beverly Hicks-Gibson is a member of the 2015 cohort. Beverly has spent 25 years in government and nonprofit settings, currently serving as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President. Her research interest centers on early childhood education; specifically, Early Head Start child care partnership structures to increase access to quality care for low-income infants and toddlers.

Degrees: MPA

Email: bgibs3@uis.edu

Hometown: Middlesboro, Kentucky

Undergraduate Institution and Major: James Madison University, Bachelor of Social Work

Graduate Institution and Major: University of Kentucky, Master of Social Work (Community and Family Practice emphasis)

Hometown:  Glenwood, Illinois

Graduate Institution and Major:  University of Illinois at Springfield, MA in Environmental Studies

Undergraduate Institution and Major:  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BS in Natural Resources and Environmental Science

Hometown: Rochester, IL (now lives in Bloomington, IL)

Undergraduate Institution and Major: Eureka College, B.A. Political Science and History

Graduate Institution and Major: Illinois State University, M.S. Political Science (public service emphasis)