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Research and Service Centers

Illinois State University operates 8 research and service centers that are officially recognized by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) for their contributions regionally, state-wide, and nationally through research, support for public policy development and evaluation, or direct service to their constituents (Center and Institute Guidelines). Each center is briefly described below. For more complete information about each center, including its purpose and initiatives, visit the center website.

  • Adlai Stevenson II Center for Community and Economic Development

    AKA: Stevenson Center
    Approved by IBHE: October 2, 2001
    Contact: Dr. Frank Beck, Faculty Director
    Location: Stevenson Hall 435
    Reports to: Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
    Website

  • Center for Child Welfare and Adoption Studies

    Approved by IBHE: June 7, 2005
    Contact: Dr. Doris Houston, Director
    Location: Rachel Cooper 203
    Reports to: School of Social Work
    Website

  • Center for Insurance and Risk Management

    AKA: Katie School
    Approved by IBHE: January 5, 1993
    Contact: Mr. James Jones, Director
    Location: State Farm Hall of Business 432
    Reports to: College of Business
    Website

  • Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology

    AKA: CeMaST
    Approved by IBHE: July 1, 1997
    Contact: Dr. Rebekka Darner, Director
    Location: Campus Religious Center
    Reports to: Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
    Website

  • Center for Integrated Professional Development

    Formerly: Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology
    Approved by IBHE: January 7, 1997
    Contact: Dr. Jennifer Friberg, Director of Scholarly Teaching/Cross Endowed Chair in SoTL, Dr. Anthony Piña, Director of Online Education/ Chief Online Learning Officer
    Location: Williams Hall, First and Third Floors
    Reports to: Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
    Website

  • Center for the Study of Education Policy

    AKA: CSEP
    Approved by IBHE: February 8, 1995
    Contact: Dr. Erika Hunt and Lisa Hood, co-Directors
    Location: Degarmo Hall, Third Floor
    Reports to: Department of Educational Administration and Foundations
    Website

  • Mary and Jean Borg Center for Reading and Literacy

    AKA: Borg Center
    Approved by IBHE: October 2, 2001
    Contact: Dr. Deborah MacPhee, Interim Director
    Location: DeGarmo Hall, Third Floor
    Reports to: School of Teaching and Learning
    Website

  • Radio Station WGLT

    AKA: WGLT
    Contact: Mr. R.C. McBride, General Manager
    Location: Old Union Building 301
    Reports to: School of Communication
    Website

Centers and Institutes not Officially Recognized by IBHE

Illinois State University also operates numerous centers and institutes not officially recognized by IBHE. They primarily support academic programs, faculty research, or student services at the University or provide services locally or regionally. A partial list of such centers and institutes follows.

  • Applied Social Research Unit

    College of Arts and Sciences
    Website

  • Carson and Iris Varner International Business Institute

    The College of Business
    Website

  • Cecilia Lauby Teacher Education Center

    College of Education
    Website

  • Center for Civic Engagement

    Division of Academic Affairs/Division of Student Affairs
    Website

  • Center for Collaborative Studies in Mathematical Biology: Intercollegiate Biomathematics Alliance

    Contact: Dr. Olcay Akman, Executive Director
    Reports to: Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
    Website

  • Center for Cybersecurity Research and Education

    College of Applied Science and Technology
    School of Information Technology
    Website

  • Center for a Sustainable Water Future

    Office of the Provost
    Website

  • Center for the Study of Crime and Justice

    College of Applied Science and Technology
    Department of Criminal Justice
    Website

  • Eckelmann-Taylor Speech and Hearing Clinic

    College of Arts and Sciences
    Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
    Website

  • George R. and Martha Means Center for Entrepreneurial Studies

    College of Business
    Website

  • Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support

    College of Education
    Department of Educational Administration and Foundations
    Website

  • Illinois Geographic Alliance

    College of Arts and Sciences
    Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment
    Website

  • Institute for Financial Planning and Analysis

    College of Business
    Department of Finance, Insurance, and Law
    Website

  • Institute for Geospatial Analysis and Mapping (GEOMAP)

    College of Arts and Sciences
    Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment
    Website

  • Institute for Regulatory Policy Studies

    College of Arts and Sciences
    Department of Economics
    Website

  • Mind Project, The

    College of Arts and Sciences
    Department of Philosophy
    Website

  • National Center for Urban Education

    AKA: Chicago Teacher Education Pipeline
    Contact: Dr. Maria Luisa Zamudio-Mainou, Executive Director
    College of Education
    Website

  • Organizational Leadership Institute

    College of Business
    Website

  • Professional Sales Institute

    College of Business
    Website

  • Stanley S. Marzolf Center for the Psychological Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents, The (Psychological Services Center)

    College of Arts and Sciences
    Department of Psychology
    Website

Contact Information