SIU Paul Simon Public Policy Institute

Nonpartisan public policy think tank at @siuc promoting better politics and smarter government and preparing students for careers in public service.

[SIU Paul Simon Public Policy Institute @PSimonInstitute]

Thank you to everyone who joined us on April 3rd for @ProfessorPape's lecture. His timely discussion on Iran, escalating global conflict, and the 2026 election sparked important conversations about democracy, and international stability.

Missed it? Watch: https://t.co/G3Zrr0zI9e

[Chancellor Austin A. Lane @SIUChancellor]

Salukis in Springfield!👏

At the Illinois Senate Budget Hearing in Springfield, I had the opportunity to chat with some outstanding @SIUC Salukis who showed up in support.

Proud to recognize:
• Penny Bordewick, senior, Political Science
• Kaitlynne Franklin, junior, Political Science
• Illinois Rep. Shantel Franklin (Political Science, Class of 2016)

Each of these Salukis represents the impact of the @PSimonInstitute developing leaders who are making a difference across our state.

Go Dawgs!

[SIU Carbondale @SIUC]

SIU’s @PSimonInstitute will host Melissa Connelly, CEO of @OneGoalGraduate, for a free public discussion on student academic and career success at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, at the Varsity Center.

Pre-registration is not required but encouraged. https://t.co/tjodUE62QZ

[Chancellor Austin A. Lane @SIUChancellor]

Saluki Takeover Tour – Southern Illinois

Connect with @SIUC and show what it means to be part of Saluki Country.🤝

Receptions:
📍 March 31 – Makanda | 5 p.m.
📍 April 7 – Lake of Egypt | 6 p.m.
📍 April 16 – Mount Vernon | 6 p.m.
📍 April 21 – Carterville | 6 p.m.
📍 April 23 – Red Bud | 6 p.m.

Register🔗 https://t.co/eis2JfcbOM

[Chancellor Austin A. Lane @SIUChancellor]

Salukis are taking over Central Illinois!👏

Let's connect, celebrate, and show what it means to be a part of the Saluki community.

Chancellor's Receptions:
📍Springfield – Mar 24 | 6–8 p.m.
📍Peoria – Mar 25 | 6–8 p.m.

@SIUC is excited to see our Central Illinois Salukis and share what’s next for Southern!

Register 🔗 https://t.co/Y4UWEEKnqu

[SIU Paul Simon Public Policy Institute @PSimonInstitute]

John Shaw sits down with veteran diplomat @JanKEliasson to reflect on decades of Middle East diplomacy, from the Iran-Iraq War to today’s global tensions. A powerful reminder that peace requires cooperation, persistence, and shared responsibility.
📺: https://t.co/2r8Qge4cS6

[SIU Carbondale @SIUC]

SIU’s @PSimonInstitute will host a spring speaker series focused on public service, politics and philanthropy, with events March 26-April 30 in Carbondale and Chicago.

Registration is available online. ⬇️ https://t.co/udHEhKBe4Y

[SIU Carbondale @SIUC]

Emma Ashford, a senior fellow at the @StimsonCenter, a Washington, D.C. think tank, will join the @PSimonInstitute for a free Zoom discussion on U.S. foreign policy at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5.

Register + submit questions: https://t.co/yjmab8zAlZ https://t.co/x934Qt3tdD

[Chancellor Austin A. Lane @SIUChancellor]

📈 Momentum matters.

@SIUC is celebrating our third consecutive year of spring enrollment growth, a testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff and our continued focus on student success.

Proud of the progress we’re making together.

Go Dawgs!

📰 https://t.co/Rc4N4XnOIZ

[SIU Paul Simon Public Policy Institute @PSimonInstitute]

Former UN Deputy Secretary-General @JanKEliasson joined us for a wide-ranging conversation on diplomacy, global conflict, climate change, and democratic values. A “worried optimist,” Eliasson reflected on why international cooperation still matters.
Watch: https://t.co/4y8QpwMY3n

[SIU Carbondale @SIUC]

Former @UN diplomat @JanKEliasson will join @PSimonInstitute’s John Shaw for a free Zoom talk on global challenges at 10 a.m. Dec. 17.

Registration required.
https://t.co/yjmab8zAlZ https://t.co/nG0BzcvEzj

[SIU Carbondale @SIUC]

.@PulitzerPrizes-winning scholar Paul Starr will join the @PSimonInstitute on Dec. 9 for a free virtual talk exploring political contradictions in America and his new book American Contradiction.

Registration required. 👇 https://t.co/AbRL33XYZE

[SIU Carbondale @SIUC]

U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski will discuss her work in Congress and how federal policy can strengthen families and support economic growth during SIU’s fall 2025 Morton-Kenney Lecture on Nov. 24.

Hosted by the @PSimonInstitute. Free and open to the public. https://t.co/E9yzty8b5K

[Chancellor Austin A. Lane @SIUChancellor]

SIU Day of Giving | Sept. 17th

This year’s SIU Day of Giving is more than a milestone—it’s a movement. We are R1 of 21 universities with dual Carnegie recognition, and together we’re shaping the future.

On September 17, every gift matters. Every Saluki counts.

Join us—celebrate SIU's past and fuel what’s ahead.

https://t.co/vg7x2qfunV

[Chancellor Austin A. Lane @SIUChancellor]

Fall 2025 enrollment stands at 11,785 students—nearly identical to last year’s record growth, showing the continued strength of our recruitment and retention efforts.

For those still considering SIU—𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗢𝗰𝘁. 𝟭𝟳.

Highlights from this year’s enrollment include:

• 6% increase in new students from Southern Illinois
• 16% rise in freshmen from bordering states
• 23% growth in online enrollment, including a 161% surge in graduate programs
• 5% boost in retention of continuing students

We recognize the decline in international enrollment as an area for renewed focus.

A big thanks to our colleagues in @SIUC Admissions, Financial Aid, Bursar, Academic Advising, Recruitment & Retention, and Student Affairs—your dedication makes this success possible.

📰 https://t.co/MbMHe9xvtS

[IML @IMLLeague]

🎉Congratulations to Former Village President of Barrington and Past President of IML Karen Darch, on receiving the 2025 Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award from @PSimonInstitute.

A well-deserved honor for decades of dedicated municipal leadership.

https://t.co/xLJp1hMFRR

[Chancellor Austin A. Lane @SIUChancellor]

Straight from my desk, I invite you to subscribe to a bi-monthly newsletter that brings you closer to the heart of @SIUC.

From campus updates and community partnerships to student success stories and Saluki spirit in action, I’ll be sharing how SIU is making a difference — and how you can be part of it.

Sign up here.🔗 https://t.co/7ZCquvyKtC

[SIU Carbondale @SIUC]

Max Stier, president and CEO of @publicservice, will join the @PSimonInstitute for a virtual conversation at 1 p.m. July 14.

𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤. https://t.co/ZUwPllsPmL

[Chancellor Austin A. Lane @SIUChancellor]

Summer enrollment at @SIUC is up nearly 15% since 2021.

This continued momentum reflects our ongoing efforts to make education accessible, flexible, and impactful—whether on campus or online.

Thanks to the unwavering support of our faculty, staff, students, and community partners, who help move SIU forward.

Let’s keep building on this progress.

📰 https://t.co/RG5y5Js9qR

[SIU Carbondale @SIUC]

IL State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe joins SIU’s @PSimonInstitute for Pizza and Politics on Monday, May 5 at noon in the lobby of the institute. 🍕

@LaPointefor19 will discuss her career, public service, and policy in Springfield. The series is open to all. https://t.co/EdMEpILY0y