Russell Wigginton (PhD, '01, History) is the president of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee.

Charles J. Shields (BA, English, '75; MA, History, '79) is the author of 20 nonfiction books for young readers, and biographies of Harper Lee, John Williams, Kurt Vonnegut, and Lorraine Hansberry. He recently retired after a successful 25 year career as a writer where he combined his interest in literature with the research skills he gained as a historian.

Tim Johnson (1946-2022) was the U.S. Congressman, Illinois 15th District from 2001 to 2013. 

Jim Brennan is an associate professor of history at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Scott Rice is the general counsel for the University of Illinois System.

Clarence Lang is the Susan Welch Dean of the College of the Liberal Arts at Penn State. The below comments were obtained shortly after the completion of his PhD.

Lisa Nikodem is the director of organizing at Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action.

Megan MacDonald is the Head of Philanthropic Partnerships at Equitech Futures.

Matthew Filter is the economic development manager for the Durham County government.

Ben Jacobson works at the U.S. Department of Defense.