UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program

The 10-month @UISedu master's degree program producing journalists who hold government and politicians accountable. Director: @jasonpiscia.

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

Regina Garcia Cano (PAR '13) is a correspondent for The Associated Press in Venezuela. She appears prominently in this FRONTLINE/AP documentary about what comes next for Venezuela after the January capture of the country's leader, Nicolas Maduro. https://t.co/faIwLbDoPi

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

PAR is hitting the road for a Chicago field trip. We're visiting some newsrooms and attending the FOIA Fest open records conference. We're running a little fundraiser this month to cover student expenses. We appreciate your support of journalism! https://t.co/CZLH0CbdjJ

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

Have you heard? The 2025 PAR Alumni Newsletter has been released, and everyone is reading it. A link to it has been emailed to all alumni who haven't blocked messages from UIS. If you're not seeing it, email [email protected] or DM us and we'll get you a copy.

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

The final edit of the 2025 PAR Alumni Newsletter is complete. (Blame him for any typos you find.) ALUMS: Look for your copy in your email around 10 a.m. CST on Thursday.

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

PAR Alums: If you haven't noticed by the email, text messages and LinkedIn alerts, we're in the home stretch of assembling the 2025 PAR Alumni Newsletter. Thanks to everyone who has sent us an update. There's still time. Visit https://t.co/c5NQvVwoDu by Dec. 8.

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

Today is the first-ever UIS Day of Giving. PAR is focusing on our travel fund, which sends our students to educational conferences, including this weekend's FOIA Fest in Chicago. Please help us meet our goal before we head to Chicago on Friday. Donate: https://t.co/sr2mNKaTtC

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

PAR ALUMS: Before you head into the holiday weekend, take a moment to submit your information for the 50th annual PAR Alumni Newsletter. Happy Thanksgiving! https://t.co/vlcRs7S6zJ

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

JOB ALERT: PAR grad Marc Chase of Lee Enterprises let us know that the @OWHnews is hiring a Nebraska state government reporter: https://t.co/ZD9zPNJnUo

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

PAR ALUMS: Time is running out to submit your entry for the PAR Alumni Newsletter. Help us make the 50th edition the biggest yet: https://t.co/vlcRs7S6zJ

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

Congrats to Ben (PAR ’21).

[Ben Szalinski @BenSzalinski]

🌟Some personal news to end a busy week of news🌟
Today is my last day with The Daily Line.
Next week I will be joining the great team at @CapitolNewsIL as their newest statehouse reporter.
See you for veto session!

[University of Illinois Springfield @UISedu]

.@UISPAR Director @JasonPiscia writes about how to be a better news consumer during the #2024Election in a column published by the @ILTimes. He emphasizes avoiding misinformation and seeking out fact-based sources. #UISedu

➡️ Read the Column: https://t.co/dsBq2UFIxr

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

We've been collecting entries for the PAR Alumni Newsletter for less than three weeks and we've heard from about 11% of you. Not bad!

Help us hit our goal of a 78% response rate. https://t.co/G1cOJv9iEO.

Respond by Oct. 31 and we'll enter you in a drawing for a $20 gift card.

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

Thank you to Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis for speaking with the PAR class today about the importance of the public understanding the judicial system. Theis and the other justices have are in town hearing oral arguments. 📸 = Chris Bonjean

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

Thank you for making time for us, Chancellor. This experience helps our students build their skills and confidence as they prepare to question public officials at the Statehouse next semester.

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

Thank you to @NPRinskeep for visiting with some of our PAR students to talk about journalism. The @MorningEdition host is at #UISedu @UISUnion tonight to talk about his new Lincoln book. https://t.co/vR99NWMEFb

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

We’re here on campus watching tonight’s presidential debate at a gathering hosted by the School of Politics and International Affairs. We’re playing debate bingo!

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

.@brendenmoore13 (PAR ’18) has often advocated it’s OK to put ketchup on a corn dog, despite what encased meat connoisseurs say. @GovPritzker has razzed him about this. At today’s @ILStateFair ribbon-cutting, the gov made a peace offering - a corn dog with ketchup AND mustard.

[Brenden Moore @brendenmoore13]

Condiment freedom wins at the @ILStateFair.

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

When the PAR HOF was created in 2006 the plan was to display this permanently in the Capitol press room. For whatever reason, the plaque had been MIA for a few years. With help from the Capitol Architect’s office, it’s now back in its rightful place.

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

To follow up, there was a change to the speaker lineup for the disinformation session, and Rachel Scott wasn’t there. Still, a great discussion with journalists including @NikolenDC and @EdLGordon. Watch replay: https://t.co/xyaUhpPpq7

[UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program @UISPAR]

I’m at #NABJ24 today recruiting future PAR students! Also attending sessions, including one on why more Black journalists should cover Statehouses. Up first, a session on disinformation. The panel includes ABC News’ @rachelvscott, who questioned former Pres. Trump here yesterday.

[Amanda Vinicky @AmandaVinicky]

Journalists and those aspiring to be one: @UISPAR is a singular program that can put you on the path to career success. If you’re at @NABJ’s conference, seek out Jason (and if you’re not there, check out the @UISedu PAR website or contact an alum. Like me!)