Two ISU grad students seeking doctoral degrees at University of Arkansas

Bich Tran

Bich Tran, a second-year graduate student from the Department of Politics and Government received admission and funding to earn her Ph.D. degree in public administration at Northern Illinois University and Penn State Harrisburg. She was also accepted to the Ph.D. program in education policy at the University of Arkansas with full funding. After successfully defending her thesis entitled, “The Relationship Between State Legitimacy and State Performance: A Quantitative Test,” Bich has decided to pursue her dream of working in the social policy sector, focusing on education policy by joining the Ph.D. program at the University of Arkansas.

Bich summed up her experience in the department: “Life is a journey, and I am glad that my journey has Illinois State and the Department of Politics and Government as part of it. I am grateful to faculty, staff and my graduate fellows for supporting me in my academic endeavors.”

Chris Giller

Chris Giller completed comprehensive exams and earned a Master’s degree from the Illinois State University Department of Politics and Government in December of 2017. He was accepted to the Ph.D. program in political science at Temple University, and the Ph.D. program in education policy at the University of Arkansas. Chris has decided to attend the University of Arkansas on a fellowship in order to pursue his goal of working in shaping education policy at the state level.

Chris reflected that his ISU experience taught him that “there is a direct relationship between hard work and success. He added that “the faculty in the Department of Politics and Government will give you plenty of support if you are willing to do your part.”