Steering Committee

In an effort to maintain and further mobilize our transdisciplinary participatory culture, FRC has utilized the knowledge and skills of our steering committee members, who have been influential in helping guide our center as we establish cutting-edge research hubs and reshape our agendas and approaches. These academic and community professionals conduct research and work in fields that align with areas addressed by FRC. We appreciate their assistance, which includes helping draft FRC's strategic plan.

 

Beverley Baker

Chief Impact Officer
United Way of Champaign County
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Beverly Baker

Beverly works directly with issues and needs facing young children, their families, and the community as a whole. She considers herself a problem solver and works with community partners, elected officials, and concerned residents and volunteers to address some of the most challenging needs facing Champaign County. She has been a member of the United Way team since 2007.

Liza Berdychevsky

Associate Professor
Department of Recreation, Sport & Tourism
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Liza Berdychevsky

Liza's research revolves at the nexus of health and well-being in leisure and tourism contexts, adopting a gender-sensitive and a life course-grounded approach. In her work, she focuses on risky behaviors and vulnerable populations, exploring the impacts of risk taking on health and well-being.

Chaundra Bishop

Regional Health Officer
Illinois Department of Public Health
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Chaundra Bishop

Chaundra has been a public health professional and community leader for several years, working in both nonprofit and government organizations. Her work has focused on creating strategies to increase visibility, participation, and the well-being of underserved communities through health education and promotion.

Zach Kennedy

Extension Specialist
Community & Economic Development
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Zach Kennedy

Zach helps Extension colleagues, local governments, and nonprofit organizations build their capacity to engage in data-informed decision making and planning statewide. Trained as an economist and urban planner, his areas of expertise are in demographics, economic analysis, and planning. Zach previously worked as an Extension educator in Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion counties.

Andiara Schwingel

Associate Professor
Department of Health & Kinesiology
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Andiara Schwingel

Andiara is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health at Illinois, where she directs the Aging and Diversity Lab and teaches in the areas of aging, women’s health, and global health. Her research informs public health policy and practice that can lead to healthier communities.

Shardé Smith

Associate Professor
Department of Human Development & Family Studies
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Sharde Smith

Shardé is an associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies who examines the impact of racial discrimination on mental health outcomes, and the supportive resources used to combat these effects, within the African American family context..

Hannah Kye

Director, Child Development Laboratory
Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Human Development & Family Studies
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Hannah Kye

Hannah is the director of the Child Development Lab and an education researcher focusing on issues of equity and diversity in early childhood and elementary education, with particular interest in culturally responsive STEM, teacher preparation and family engagement.

Community and Youth

Stay tuned to view FRC's future community and youth advisory boards!