Education policy leaders return to Illinois State to launch next era of research and partnerships

Illinois State University's Center for the Study of Education Policy (CSEP) is entering a new era of growth as two nationally recognized education policy leaders return to the helm.

Lisa Hood, Ph.D., and Erika Hunt, Ph.D., M.S. '00, rejoined CSEP in March as co-directors, resuming roles they held from 2020-2022. Pam Hillyard completes the leadership team as the center's new director of grants and programs. Together, the trio most recently led work at the Regional Office of Education (ROE) #17 from 2022-2026 before returning to the University, where they will also collaborate with ROE #17 and ROE #19 to wrap up existing federal, state, and foundation grants.

Hood and Hunt bring nearly two decades of CSEP experience. Between 2005 and 2022, they secured and led a portfolio of grant-funded initiatives totaling more than $40 million, driving innovation in early childhood, K-12, and higher education across Illinois and the nation. They also taught doctoral-level courses and mentored students through numerous dissertations.

Looking ahead, Hood and Hunt will guide CSEP's research agenda, grant development, and partnerships across the College of Education and beyond. Their work will focus on emerging classroom, school, and district structures; innovative learning supports; and apprenticeship and collaborative partnership models. They are also co-authoring a forthcoming book examining how education systems can be redesigned-aligning leadership roles, staffing structures, policies, and preparation pathways-to build coherent organizations that strengthen teaching and learning.

"Countless students benefit from Hood and Hunt's work," said Rudo Tsemunhu, Ph.D., chair of Education Administration and Foundations (EAF). "Their leadership unites stakeholders across early childhood education, principal preparation, and higher education to create meaningful, lasting change-and opens powerful research and partnership opportunities for our faculty, staff, and students."

"Returning to CSEP feels like coming home with fresh purpose," Hood said. "I'm energized by the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and students, deepen our community partnerships, and build on the center's strong foundation. My hope is that our work helps translate research into real, on-the-ground change for educators and the students they serve."

"I'm excited to return to CSEP and re-engage in advancing innovative, evidence-based policy models that support schools, districts, and education organizations," Hunt said. "The center has long served as a bridge between research, policy, and practice, and I look forward to advancing ideas that strengthen leadership, build system coherence, and improve outcomes for educators and students."

Together, these initiatives signal an exciting new chapter for CSEP and reinforce Illinois State's growing national leadership in education research, policy, and innovation.