University of Illinois Springfield Associate Professor Sibel Oktay’s book, “Governing Abroad: Coalition Politics and Foreign Policy in Europe,” has been awarded the International Studies Association’s 2022 Foreign Policy Analysis Best Book Award. Oktay teaches in the UIS School of Politics and International Affairs.
WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield will host former U.S. Ambassador Charles Ray who will speak about a new report, “Blueprints for a More Modern U.S. Diplomatic Service.” The report includes recommendations on ways the United States can improve its diplomacy. The program is sponsored by the UIS School of Politics and International Affairs and the World Affairs Council of Central Illinois. The event is open to the public.
WHEN: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25
WHERE: UIS Public Affairs Center, Third Floor, Room 3F
University of Illinois Springfield Political Science Professor Jason Pierceson’s book, “Before Bostock: The Accidental LGBTQ Precedent of Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins,” is the co-recipient of the inaugural LGBTQ+ Politics Best Book Award from the Sexuality and Politics Section of the American Political Science Association (APSA).
According to APSA, the LGBTQ+ Politics Best Book Award is given annually to a book published in the preceding calendar year that addresses LGBTQ+ politics.
Fall Receptions & Open House
Are you a student in Political Science, Global Studies, and/or Public policy? Are you interested in becoming one?
Come meet and mingle with students, faculty, and staff from the UIS School of Politics and International Affairs over light refreshments! We are excited to see you!
Elevated Gun Violence in U.S. Cities of All Sizes

In a new analysis, University of Illinois Springfield Associate Professor of Political Science Magic Wade found from 2015-2021 many cities in the United States surpassed historical gun violence rates observed during the 1990s. She looked at data from small, mid-size and large U.S. cities.
A group of 18 University of Illinois Springfield students won an Outstanding Delegation Award at the annual National Model United Nations simulation held April 10-14, 2023, in New York.
WHAT: University of Illinois Springfield School of Politics and International Affairs and the UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program will present a post-election panel discussion on “The Election is Over. Now What?”
WHEN: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, 2022
WHERE: UIS Student Union Ballroom, 2251 Richard Wright Drive, Springfield
Sibel Oktay, University of Illinois Springfield associate professor and director of the School of Politics and International Affairs, has been named a Jefferson Science Fellow by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.