New Champaign Unit 4 Schools Leader Moving From Springfield

Shelia Boozer, new superintendent of Champaign Unit 4 Schools
Shelia Boozer, new superintendent of Champiagn Unit 4 Schools

CHAMPAIGN – The next superintendent of Champaign Unit 4 Schools is moving from Springfield.

On Thursday night, the Board of Education announced its selection of Shelia Boozer.

Boozer is 23-year veteran of education.  She is currently the Director of Teaching and Learning and Technology in Springfield District 186.

Boozer earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Springfield. Her Master’s Degree in Education Administration comes from Eastern Illinois University. She  recently completed her dissertation for a Doctorate degree at Illinois State University. Her dissertation topic is the impact of restorative practices on racial inequities in schools.  

In June, Boozer will succeed Susan Zola. She will retire in June after serving as superintendent in Champaign for 4 years.

 

Reginald Hardwick

Reginald Hardwick is the News & Public Affairs Director at Illinois Public Media. He oversees daily newscasts and online stories. He also manages The 21st Show, a live, weekday talk show that airs on six NPR stations throughout Illinois. He is the executive producer of IPM's annual environmental TV special "State of Change." And he is the co-creator of Illinois Soul, IPM's Black-focused audio service that launched in February 2024. Before arriving at IPM in 2019, he served as News Director at WKAR in East Lansing and spent 17 years as a TV news producer and manager at KXAS, the NBC-owned station in Dallas/Fort Worth. Reginald is the recipient of three Edward R. Murrow regional awards, seven regional Emmy awards, and multiple honors from the National Association of Black Journalists. Born in Vietnam, Reginald grew up in Colorado and is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado. Email: rh14@illinois.edu Twitter: @RNewsIPM