The institute also involves faculty from across the campus in institute activities and projects. Faculty working in the institute may hold permanent joint appointments with the institute and an academic program. Others may receive a temporary reassignment from teaching for a portion of their time to work on specific institute projects. Faculty may also be retained to work on grant-funded projects, either during the academic year or the summer. Its mission is to help government entities develop and implement effective policies, programs, and services.
OPAS focus is primarily on state executive branch agencies.
It complements the activities of the Institute s Illinois Legislative Studies Center and Center for Legal Studies. OPAS engages in activities in areas where an agency s needs match faculty and doctoral student interest and expertise. Areas of substantive focus include information management, public finance and budgeting, human services delivery, environmental management, workforce and economic development, public management practices, and comparative state policy and administration. The work of the office includes policy development, program design and evaluation, outcomes assessment, technical assistance, training and leadership development, public education, and public service. Products include research reports, scholarly publications, books and monographs, advanced instructional materials and media, policy and public issues forums, conferences, and symposia.