SIU Paul Simon Public Policy Institute director stepping down

CARBONDALE, Ill. (KFVS) - The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIU Carbondale is about to have a leadership change.

Current institute president John Shaw is stepping down for a new opportunity.

John Shaw has been the director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIU for more than eight years.

“You know, Paul Simon is such a huge figure in Illinois and American politics. He created this institute almost 30 years ago, and it’s been a real pleasure to represent it and to try and advance his legacy,” Shaw said.

The institute operates as a unit within SIU Carbondale and is focused on the nonpartisan promotion of better politics and smarter government to prepare students for careers in public service.

Shaw said it’s a real gift that most universities don’t have.

“I think the institute gives the university a strategic asset that really needs to be nurtured, cultivated, and invested in,” he added.

Shaw hopes that his future successor and university leaders will continue to see the value of the institute and respect the legacy of Paul Simon.

“Even though the institute does have strong resources, there is maybe a tendency to take it for granted and assume it’s fine and doesn’t need care and nurturing. But I think it’s important to continue to nurture the institute because it does a lot for the region,” he said.

Shaw added that during these unprecedented political times, Paul Simon’s legacy is more relevant than ever.

“Senator Simon has been gone for a while. But his example of honorable public service is one that has enduring public value. It’s relevant for our time, which is rancorous and full of instability and challenging of motives and so forth,” he said.

What’s next for Shaw? He tells Heartland News that he’s headed back to his political roots in Washington, D.C.

“You know, I’m from Illinois. Grew up in Peoria. But I lived in DC for 25 years. My wife and I still have a house on Capitol Hill. So we’re going to be heading back there, and I will be teaching at Marquette University’s Washington Center. It’s called the Les Aspin Institute,” he said.

As Shaw prepares for his final day on July 31, we asked him what he is going to miss most about southern Illinois, and he says it’s something many folks in the Heartland may take for granted.

“Day-to-day life here is easy and convenient. People are friendly. They know who you are. You know who they are. So that’s what I’m going to miss. The easygoingness and the warmth of the environment,” he said.

After Shaw’s departure, SIU Carbondale is expected to hire an interim director to replace him during a national search for a new permanent institute director.