Ryan Croke selected as new associate chancellor for public affairs at UIS

The University of Illinois Springfield has selected Ryan Croke as the new associate chancellor for public affairs. He will also serve as chief of staff for UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch.

Croke, who was chief of staff to former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn from 2013 to 2015, succeeds Ed Wojcicki, who served UIS for more than 20 years.

His responsibilities include leading governmental relations efforts on behalf of UIS, managing UIS’ communications strategy and supervising the UIS Police Department.

“Ryan will be a great asset for our campus,” said Chancellor Koch. “He will also strengthen our ties in the community and bring a fresh perspective to our local, state and federal government relations efforts.”

“I believe in the mission of our public universities and am especially proud to call UIS home,” said Croke. “I’m eager to support the institution’s many students, staff and faculty as we continue to grow.”

Croke’s career in public service began in 2006 in the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. He later served as a policy advisor and deputy chief of staff to Gov. Quinn before becoming his chief of staff in October 2013.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and communication from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2005 and a master’s degree in communication in 2007.