Policy Advisory Group (PAG)
The Policy Advisory Group, or PAG, was established in 2022 to ensure that revisions to the Business and Finance Policies are reviewed, and feedback provided by, thoughtful and engaged business office colleagues across the University of Illinois System who have displayed a level of skill, interest, and understanding in the operations of the University of Illinois System, especially as they relate to business and finance policy. The PAG is moderated by the System Business & Finance Policy Office.
PAG Duties / Goals
In addition to providing feedback on policy updates under consideration, PAG members provide insight into the practical policy implementation and application process. PAG members aid in ensuring that business and finance policies are accurate and easy to understand and follow by the business and finance community across the University of Illinois System.
Eligibility & Term
All business office colleagues are eligible to serve, regardless of years in a business office role. An applicant’s years of service should not be a deterrent to applying for PAG membership. In fact, having a broad spectrum of experience to make up the PAG is beneficial to the policymaking process. Business office colleagues who have been at the university or in a business office capacity for many years can bring historical knowledge, while someone newer to the role can offer a fresh perspective, including the ability to identify operational pain points or highlight policies and instructions that may be confusing or difficult to follow, thereby contributing a valuable insight to the group’s continuous improvement efforts.
PAG members serve a one-year term from roughly October through September.
PAG alumni retain access to PAG resources and are encouraged to continue to contact the Policy Office with advice, questions, or recommendations.
Application Process
PAG recruiting and call for applications are begins August of each year. Prospective PAG members self-nominate to join the PAG and fill out a short survey to express why they are interested in serving.
Roughly 10 applicants are selected for a cohort with equal representation across UIC, UIS, UIUC, and the System Offices.
Current Cohort 4 (2025–2026)
Elisa Carranza, Department of Family and Comm. Med, UIC
Molly Cooper, Cooperative Extension, UIUC
Briana Fulton, Performing Arts Services, UIS
Mary Jones, Kinesiology, UIUC
Lica Kou, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Innovation, UIC
Allison Sivers, Office of the Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs, System Office
Aaron Stewart, Facilities & Services Administration, UIS
Jennifer Vaisnoras, Department of Psychology, UIC
Pablo Valenzuela, University Audits, System Office
Michelle Waldner, University Counsel, System Office
PAG Accomplishments
Cohort 3 (2024–25)
Cohort 2 (2023–24)
Cohort 1 (2022–23)
- Provided Business & Finance Policy website update recommendations
- Provided annual review insights and recommended updates for:
Previous PAG Cohorts
Cohort 3 PAG Members (2024–25)
Alice Ennis, University of Illinois Press, System Office
Diane Gilbert, Department of Communication, UIC
Kimberly Johnson, University Library, UIUC
Marcia Mathis, Carver Biotechnology Center, UIUC
Jeanne Santamaria, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, UIC
represented Department of Medicine AIM while serving on PAG
Maile Tatman, Engineering Business Shared Services, UIUC
Lynda Warner, Center for Research on Women and Gender, UIC
Cohort 3 Advisory Committee Representatives
Yvonne Shaw, School of Social Work, UIUC
Rodney Chambers, University Library, UIC
Cohort 2 PAG Members (2023–24)
Gary Anderson, Office of Enrollment and Retention Management, UIS
Marlo Atchison, UIC College of Law, UIC
Angela Bensyl, University Payables, System Office
Shawna Graddy, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, UIUC
Andrea Hoskinson, Division of Specialized Care for Children, UIC
Katherine Johnston, Office of the Chief Information Officer, UIUC
represented Gies College of Business while serving on PAG
Shelly Lanz, University Health Service, UIC
Don Marrow, School of Chemical Sciences, UIUC
Vanessa Medina, Biomedical and Health Information Science, UIC
Jill Ralph, Facilities & Services Administration, UIS
Maria Thompson, Facilities & Services Office, UIUC
Cohort 2 Advisory Committee Representatives:
Liz Clawson, College of Applied Health Sciences, UIUC
Toni Langdon, College of Health, Science, and Technology Administration, UIS
left during term to accept position outside University of Illinois Springfield
Dale Rush, Retzky College of Pharmacy, UIC
Cohort 1 PAG Members (2022–23)
Alex Adamov, College of Dentistry, UIC
Andrea Christensen, College of Medicine at Rockford, UIC
Jenny Ehrnthaller, Administrative Information Technology Services (AITS), System Office
Jennifer Frank, College of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, UIUC
Karrie Hurley, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance, UIC
John Laroe, University Accounting and Financial Reporting (UAFR), System Office
Libby Miller, Office of the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, UIUC
represented Division of Intercollegiate Athletics while serving on PAG
Nicole Rakes, Office of the Vice President for External Relations and Communications, UIS
Susan Thomas, Department of Accountancy, UIUC
Jamie Weber, University Library, UIS