CSBS hosted the 2024 Policy and Research Legislative Fellows (PRLF) Celebration at the Illini Union on April 18. The event honored the 2023–2024 cohort of graduate student fellows whose research helped inform public policy in partnership with Illinois state legislators.
This year’s celebration featured introductory remarks from Elsa Augustine, Assistant Director of Public Policy and Research at CSBS, and Bob Flider, Senior Director of Community and Government Relations. Flider emphasized the program’s importance in cultivating civic engagement and policy leadership through hands-on learning.
The PRLF program matches graduate students with legislators representing Urbana-Champaign or neighboring districts for a yearlong collaboration. Students contribute research expertise to real-world legislative challenges, helping shape policy while gaining experience outside of traditional academic paths. The program is administered by CSBS and supported by the Chancellor’s Office of Public Engagement.
“This fellowship goes beyond traditional professional learning experiences,” said Flider. “It enables students to contribute to policy development and bridge the gap between theory and practice.”
“Higher education must play a pivotal role in rebuilding and reshaping the future of society,” he added. “Our democratic mission must be evident at every level of engagement—locally, nationally, and globally.”
Fellows presented on diverse topics, including rural transportation, education reform, HIV prevention, and funding models for public institutions.
Representative Carol Ammons praised her fellow’s work connecting Black-led nonprofits to support health outcomes for cisgender Black women and emphasized how data-driven research like this helps the state use resources more effectively.
Representative Brandun Schweizer commended the fellows working in his district for their thoughtful and thorough approach to rural transportation challenges. He noted that they engaged deeply with local stakeholders to understand the community’s needs and explore realistic solutions to a complex issue.
The PRLF has grown steadily over its first two years. To date, it has placed 11 graduate students from six academic departments in district offices of six legislators across both major political parties. Students have contributed to meaningful policy efforts and participate in robust educational programming throughout the academic year, including a policy summit, communication workshops, and a spring visit to Springfield.
The 2023–2024 PRLF cohort included:
- Oluwakemi Adeyemi, JSD candidate in Law, with Rep. Carol Ammons
Project: Addressing HIV/AIDS among cisgender heterosexual Black women + connecting Black-led/serving nonprofits across Illinois - Leela Bhairy, MA candidate in Urban and Regional Planning, with Rep. Brandun Schweizer
Project: Rural Public Transportation Needs and Opportunities in Illinois’ 104th District - Laura Gray, PhD candidate in Civil and Environmental Engineering, with Rep. Brandun Schweizer
Project: Rural Public Transportation Needs and Opportunities in Illinois’ 104th District - Minjoo Chong, PhD candidate in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, with Sen. Paul Faraci
Project: Teacher Pipeline Reform: Diversifying Policy Solutions - Thong Trinh, PhD candidate in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, with Sen. Chapin Rose
Project: Exploring Funding Alternatives for UIUC: Legal and Institutional Perspectives