Ray Rodriguez, MPH, NBC-HWC, started as the Senior Director of Access and Equity and as the Title IX Coordinator for UIS on Monday, March 31, 2025.

Rodriguez brings nearly four decades of leadership experience in higher education, specializing in diversity, equity, reproductive health, violence prevention, ethics, inclusion and federal compliance.  

Vanessa Ferguson, Community Voices producer at NPR Illinois, has been named the University of Illinois Springfield Employee of the Month for March 2025.

“Vanessa is a model employee. She’s personable, attentive and gets the word out about NPR Illinois,” her nominator said.

Her nominator also highlighted how she consistently goes above and beyond in producing Community Voices.  

Heath Bruce, assistant director of marketing, has been named the University of Illinois Springfield Employee of the Month for February 2025.

“Heath has consistently demonstrated outstanding performance in working with faculty and staff across different units on campus and assisting them in planning and implementing marketing campaigns,” his nominator said.

His nominator highlighted his willingness to go above and beyond to help others.

Building Service Foreman John "Jack" Stege has been named the 2024 Employee of the Year at the University of Illinois Springfield. He was honored during a reception on Jan. 30, 2025, in the UIS Student Union.

Before announcing the winner, UIS Chancellor Janet Gooch thanked the eleven Employees of the Month who were nominated for the award.

Stege, who was the April 2024 Employee of the Month, is very enthusiastic about doing a great job.

University of Illinois Springfield has named Jason Keran, a mailing equipment operator and expeditor for Campus Services, as the Employee of the Month for December 2024.

Keran, who joined UIS in November 2018, manages daily mail center operations, including sorting and delivering mail, processing mail lists and handling transactions with the United States Postal Service.

Teresa Seacrist, parking manager for University of Illinois Springfield Facilities and Services, has been named the Employee of the Month for November 2024.

Seacrist oversees the university’s parking operations and is known for her exceptional service and dedication.

Madison Vangunten, a human resources associate at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been named the Employee of the Month for October 2024. She was recognized for her expertise in HR systems, her dedication to the campus community and her positive and welcoming attitude.

Joshua Lauer, an electrician with Facilities and Services at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been selected as the Employee of the Month for September 2024. Lauer is known for his exceptional dedication and innovative contributions to the campus community.

Rhyann Morris, director of admissions processing at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been selected as the Employee of the Month for August 2024.

Morris, who joined UIS in 2014, manages the admission application and evaluation processes for the university. She is recognized for her efforts to streamline these processes, ensuring that prospective students are admitted efficiently. Colleagues note her ability to handle challenging situations professionally and her willingness to assist in various capacities.

Douglas Brackney has been named the University of Illinois Springfield Employee of the Month for July 2024. He is an administrative aide in the Career Development Center.

His supervisor, Katherine Battee-Freeman, said he is the type of employee that everyone wants on their staff.

“He is a team player who brings positivity to the work and helps others to be their best selves,” Battee-Freeman said. “He is a positive role model outside of work helping to endear the greater Springfield community to UIS.”