The Illinois Global Institute administrative team is comprised of an executive director, an assistant director, a communications coordinator, an accounting and operations associate, a human resources associate, a grants and fellowships coordinator, and an office manager. 

Davila

Jerry Dávila is Executive Director of the Illinois Global Institute. He is also the Jorge Paulo Lemann Chair in Brazilian History. Dávila’s research focuses on   the influence of racial thought on public policy in Brazil, as well as the state and social movements in the twentieth century.  He is the author of Hotel Trópico: Brazil and the Challenge of African Decolonization (Duke, 2010), Diploma of Whiteness: Race and Public Policy in Brazil (Duke, 2003), and Dictatorship in South America (Wiley, 2013). He is also co-author of A History of World Societies, 11th ed. (Bedford-St. Martin’s, 2018).

Katrina

Katrina Chester is the Assistant Director of IGI and oversees all aspects of the Institute's operations. Prior to coming on board, she served as the Grants and Contracts Specialist at Illinois International. In this position, she served as the primary contact in support of proposal writing, grant administration, and required reporting for IIP Centers and Programs. Before joining IIP, Katrina served as the Outreach/Program Coordinator for the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center (REEEC). She holds an M.S. in Education from Indiana University and a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Illinois.

Billerman

Jill Billerman is is a dedicated Human Resources professional with a passion for fostering a positive workplace culture.  She is known for her strong interpersonal skills and her ability to create inclusive and supportive work environments.  Jill enjoys a good cup of coffee, laughing at a good joke, and taking in a delicious meal.

Gitler

Terri Gitler is the IGI Communications Coordinator and a member of the LAS Communications and Marketing team. Prior to taking on this position, Terri worked for over ten years for the Center for African Studies and the Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and has extensive experience in the field of publishing. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in British and American Literature from UIUC.

Magno

Allyson Magno is the Grants and Fellowships Coordinator for IGI. She completed her bachelor’s in Speech and Hearing Science at the University of Illinois and then her master’s in Speech Pathology at the University of Iowa. Before joining IGI, she worked in the public schools providing speech and language therapy services to students in grades pre-K to 12. Allyson manages and coordinates federal grants and gifts, including those associated with the U.S. Department of Education's National Resource Center (NRC) grant administration and Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) undergraduate scholarship and graduate fellowship programs. She works with the IGI Centers & Programs, various departments, colleges, administration offices, and funding groups to ensure effective and efficient management of funds.

Sarah

Sarah Pierson is an Office Support Specialist for the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center (REEEC) and The Program in Arms Control and Domestic & International Securities (ACDIS). Prior to her IGI position, Sarah was an Executive Chef having spent over twenty years in various aspects throughout the food service industry. She is an alum, from the college of ACES – Food Science and Human Nutrition Program. Desiring a career shift that would afford her a new work-life balance, she was glad to assume her administrative role. Sarah is glad to work near the quad, see all the changes that have happened to campus over the years, and looks forward to trying new campus restaurants (and some of her old favorites, of course!)

Oskana

Oksana Popova joined IGI in 2022 and is an Office Support Specialist for the European Union Center and Women & Gender in Global Perspectives.

Pullen

Rosa Pullen is an Office Support Specialist for the Center for Global Studies (CGS) and the Center for East Asian & Pacific Studies (CEAPS). She assists with center events, programs, and business needs. Her interests include Korean language and culture and music composition. Currently, Rosa is currently working towards a BA in Elementary Education. 

Williams

Joshua Williams is the Accounting and Operations Associate for the IGI.