Shows / Redbird Buzz
Redbird Buzz
Join us for conversations from beyond the quad with Illinois State University Redbirds who are creating buzz—on campus, in the community, and across the globe. Each episode, we speak with Redbirds about their unique stories, journeys, and contributions.
Episodes
Redbird BuzzRedbird basketball preview with head coaches Ryan Pedon and Kristen Gillespie
Ahead of the 2026-27 Illinois State basketball seasons, men’shead coach Ryan Pedon and women’s head coach Kristen Gillespie discuss their basketball…
Redbird BuzzDan Hubbard ’07
Political science alum Dan Hubbard '07 learned his first guitar chord in high school. By the time he graduated from Illinois State University, he had already…
Redbird BuzzAndrew Francois ’11
Andrew François ’11 is a violist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. A native of Kankakee, François began playing the violin at age 10, and stringed…
Redbird BuzzAssistant Vice President for Alumni and Donor Engagement Jillian Nelson
Jillian Nelson stepped into the newly created role of assistant vice president for Alumni and Donor Engagement in September 2026. This appointment represents…
Redbird BuzzDirector of the Horticulture Center Jessica Chambers ’93
Spanning 23 acres just north of campus, the Illinois State University Horticulture Center is far more than a scenic retreat. As part of the Department of…
Redbird BuzzPresident Aondover Tarhule
As Illinois State University kicks off a new academic year, President Aondover Tarhule visited with Redbird Buzz to discuss the University's forward momentum…
Redbird BuzzCollege of Engineering Director of Student Success and Recruitment Branden Delk
A year after welcoming more than 150 students in its inaugural cohort, Illinois State University's College of Engineering is preparing to launch its second…
Redbird BuzzHead Football Coach Brock Spack
Fresh off Illinois State University’s second-ever appearance in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Championship game in January 2026, head coach Brock…
Redbird BuzzSharon Ponder-Ballard ’86
For Illinois State University alum Sharon Ponder-Ballard ’86, education has always been about opening doors. Inspired by a mother who believed that "reading…
Redbird BuzzBrandon Holtz ’10
Illinois State University College of Business alum Brandon Holtz ’10 is a former Redbird men's basketball player who won the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship in…
Redbird BuzzDr. Bob Navarro ’91, M.S. ’93, Ph.D. ’02
Dr. Bob Navarro ’91, M.S. ’93, Ph.D. ’02, serves as CEO of Heritage Corridor Destinations, where he oversees attractions and programs along Illinois and…
Redbird BuzzErica Lauren Maholmes, M.F.A. ’22
Erica Lauren Maholmes, M.F.A. ’22, did not originally envision herself doing behind-the-scenes work in theater, but through her experience in the Wonsook Kim…
Redbird BuzzDirector of Athletics Dr. Jeri Beggs
Dr. Jeri Beggs was named Illinois State University's director of Athletics in March 2025 after serving as the interim AD since May 2023. Beggs is Illinois…
Redbird BuzzVivian Kong Doctora ’96
Vivian Kong Doctora ’96 is a community builder who connects people and culture through food. In this episode of Redbird Buzz, Kong Doctora discusses her many…
Redbird BuzzAssistant Professor of Video Ruth Burke
Ruth Burke, an assistant professor of video in the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University, is an interdisciplinary artist who…
Redbird BuzzUniversity Archivist April Anderson-Zorn discusses history-making women during World War I
Illinois State University Archivist April Anderson-Zorn returns to Redbird Buzz following a semester-long sabbatical spent researching the role of women from…
Redbird BuzzDr. René Revis Shingles, M.S. ’86
Dr. René Revis Shingles, M.S. ’86, has blazed a trail for women in athletic training. She earned a master's degree from Illinois State University's School of…
Redbird BuzzFounding Department Chair of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Nesrin Ozalp
Illinois State University is set to welcome its first cohort of students in the new College of Engineering in fall 2025. As the college prepares to educate the…
Redbird BuzzAssociate Director of Bands Dr. Mack Wood
Dr. Mack Wood, Illinois State University's associate director of bands and director of the Big Red Marching Machine, joins Redbird Buzz for a behind-the-scenes…
Redbird BuzzSharon ShareAlike ’94, M.F.A. ’98
Ahead of Illinois State University’s LGBTQA+ reunion weekend, Wonsook Kim School of Art alum, drag queen, and entrepreneur Sharon ShareAlike ’94, M.F.A. ’98…
Redbird BuzzDirector of Career Services Quanisha Kumi-Darfour ’06
Quanisha Kumi-Darfour ’06 was named the director of Career Services at Illinois State University in July and has big plans for the department's future and its…
Redbird BuzzBrad Marcy ’09, M.S. ’17
Brad Marcy ’09, M.S. ’17, has a unique approach to teaching his students about history at Le Roy High School. Through his SEAR model, Marcy's lessons employ…
Redbird BuzzDr. Daniel López, Ph.D. ’02
Dr. Daniel López, Ph.D. ’02, joins Redbird Buzz to share details of his career journey in higher education and how he makes an impact on the lives of students…
Redbird BuzzInstructional Assistant Professor and retired Director of Sports Information Tom Lamonica, M.S. ’88
Longtime Illinois State University sports information director and School of Communication professor Tom Lamonica, M.S. ’88, joins Redbird Buzz ahead of his…
Redbird BuzzSteve Pankow ’11
Steve Pankow ’11 is the Chicago Bulls’ head equipment manager and team travel coordinator. In this episode of Redbird Buzz, Pankow discusses his career…
Redbird BuzzExecutive Director of Admissions and Recruitment Marketing Jeff Mavros, M.S. ’06
Jeff Mavros, M.S. ’06, executive director of Admissions and recruitment marketing, joins Redbird Buzz to discuss Illinois State University’s historic incoming…
Redbird BuzzCaroline Lecoeur ’21
Former Redbird diver Caroline Lecoeur '21 joins Redbird Buzz to recount her experience as the deputy manager for diving at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In…
Redbird BuzzProvost Dr. Ani Yazedjian
Illinois State University Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Ani Yazedjian joins Redbird Buzz to share the story of her personal and…
Redbird BuzzDavid Breen ’88
Illinois State University alum David Breen '88 joins Redbird Buzz to share memories from his 37-year career with Special Olympics Illinois and how his…
Redbird BuzzJennifer Rudnicke ’91
After earning a Bachelor of Science in theatre from Illinois State University in 1991, Jennifer Rudnicke has spent the past 30 years in casting, including the…
Redbird BuzzAlicia Bettes ’94
In this special crossover episode of Redbird Buzz and the School of Communication's COM-versations, Alicia Bettes '94 shares the story of her professional…
Redbird BuzzPresident Aondover Tarhule
President Aondover Tarhule was appointed the 21st president of Illinois State University on March 18 and, in this episode of Redbird Buzz, he shares what the…
Redbird BuzzKelly Rhoades ’14
Kelly Rhoades ’14 is making her big league debut this spring as an assistant athletic trainer for the Detroit Tigers. In this episode of Redbird Buzz, Rhoades…
Redbird BuzzProfessor and Chair of English Dr. Katherine Ellison
Dr. Katherine Ellison, professor and chair of English at Illinois State University, is an expert in 17th- and 18th-century British Literature and Culture. In…
Redbird BuzzJames Mercer ’91
James Mercer ’91 is no stranger to the fast-paced world of sports management, and that's certainly the case in his current role as commercial director for…
Redbird BuzzBunmi Akinnusotu, M.S. ’06
Illinois State University alum Bunmi Akinnusotu, M.S. '06, is no stranger to the intricacies of foreign policy. From her childhood as a first-generation…
Redbird BuzzDirector and Chief Curator of University Galleries Kendra Paitz, MBA ’06, M.A. ’11
University Galleries at Illinois State University is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, and chief curator and two-time Redbird alum Kendra Paitz, MBA…
Redbird BuzzDr. R. David Edmunds, M.A. ’66, LL.D. ’02
Dr. R. David Edmunds is a well-known and trusted expert in Native American ethnohistory. Originally from Blue Mound—about 15 miles southwest of Decatur—Edmunds…
Redbird BuzzRobert DuGrenier, M.F.A. ’79
World-renowned glass artist, sculptor, and designer Robert DuGrenier, M.F.A. ’70, joins Redbird Buzz to discuss how his ending up at Illinois State was one of…
Redbird BuzzAssociate Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Jana Albrecht, M.S. ’06, Ph.D. ’20
Dr. Jana Albrecht, M.S. ’06, Ph.D. ’20, Illinois State University’s associate vice president for enrollment management, joins Redbird Buzz to discuss another…
Redbird BuzzProfessor of Psychology Dr. Dawn McBride
Dr. Dawn McBride, professor of psychology at Illinois State University, has been teaching and researching human memory for decades. In this episode of Redbird…
Redbird BuzzDean of the Mennonite College of Nursing Dr. Judy Neubrander
Dr. Judy Neubrander, dean of the Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN), is a tenured nursing professor with more than 25 years of academic experience who is…
Redbird BuzzDr. Taiwo Durowade ’09
Dr. Taiwo Durowade ’09 is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist who has practiced in south suburban Chicago for the past five years. Durowade joins…
Redbird BuzzGreg Cameron ’80
Greg Cameron ’80 is the president and chief executive officer at the internationally renowned Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. In this episode of Redbird Buzz…
Redbird BuzzDr. joyce gillie gossom ’78
Special education alum and College of Education 2022 Hall of Fame inductee Dr. joyce gillie gossom '78 joins Redbird Buzz to share how her experience at…
Redbird BuzzErin Levzow ’06
Illinois State University School of Theatre and Dance alum Erin Levzow '06 has created a unique path through her career. From starting out in Las Vegas after…
Redbird BuzzCandice Halbert ’01
Illinois State University alum and current scientific associate at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Candice Halbert '01 joins Redbird Buzz to share stories…
Redbird BuzzBarb Dallinger ’81, M.S. ’01
Barb Dallinger ’81, M.S. ’01, an Illinois State University alum, retiree, and leader of the University's LGBTQA+ Alumni Network, sits down with Redbird Buzz to…
Redbird BuzzStudent trustee Ash Ebikhumi
Political science major Ash Ebikhumi just wrapped up his junior year at Illinois State University and sat down with Redbird Buzz to talk about his unique…
Redbird BuzzJane Lynch ’82
Actor, comedian, singer, host, and producer Jane Lynch '82 sits down with Redbird Buzz to discuss the latest addition to her long list of titles—director…
Redbird BuzzDirector of the Office of Sustainability Elisabeth Reed
Elisabeth Reed, the director of Illinois State University's Office of Sustainability, joins Redbird Buzz to share the story of her journey—from a background in…
Redbird BuzzDr. George Pruitt ’68, M.S. ’70, L.H.D. ’94
Dr. George Pruitt ’68, M.S. ’70, L.H.D. ’94, one of the longest serving collegiate presidents in the United States, joins Redbird Buzz to discuss how Illinois…
Redbird BuzzDr. Sarah Gerson ’06
Dr. Sarah Gerson ’06 is a developmental psychologist at Cardiff University in Cardiff, Wales. In the fall of 2020, she was lead author for an internationally…
Redbird BuzzUniversity Archivist April Anderson-Zorn discusses history-making women
University Archivist April Anderson-Zorn joins Redbird Buzz to discuss three women who made history at Illinois State University: Dr. June Rose Colby, Anna…
Redbird BuzzRegina Smith ’06
Regina Smith '06 joins Redbird Buzz to discuss her new role as the inaugural head coach of the Morgan State University women's acrobatics and tumbling team…
Redbird BuzzDean of the College of Engineering Dr. Thomas Keyser
Dr. Thomas Keyser, founding dean of Illinois State University's College of Engineering, shares his vision for the new college, set to launch with its first…
Redbird BuzzEsports Program Director David Kirk, M.S. '16
David Kirk, M.S. '16, sat down with Redbird Buzz to discuss his role as the director of Redbird Esports at Illinois State University and the program's success…
Redbird BuzzDr. Mary Manz Simon ’69
Author and educational consultant Dr. Mary Manz Simon ’69 joins Redbird Buzz to share her unique path from kindergarten teacher to children’s author and…
Redbird BuzzAssistant women’s basketball coach Katrina Beck ’19, M.S. ’21
Illinois State women’s basketball assistant coach Katrina Beck ’19, M.S. ’21, joins Redbird Buzz to discuss her journey from Redbird player to coach. A…
Redbird BuzzKaty Winge '15
NBA sportscaster Katy Winge '15 reminisces about her days as a Redbird women's basketball player and busy student-athlete in this episode of Redbird Buzz…