Larry Long, Cheri Simonds, Steve Hunt, Jennifer McDade, Brent Simonds, and Lance Lippert

Jennifer McDade, faculty member in the School of Communication, was sworn into office as a member of the Bloomington City Council on May 1. McDade, who represents Ward 5, also serves on several other community organization boards, including Recovery Starts Today to support the McLean County Drug Court. “The opportunity to serve my community adds to my personal mission to promote civic and political engagement,” said McDade. Several of McDade's colleagues—Steve Hunt, Lance Lippert, Larry Long, Brent Simonds, and Cheri Simonds—attended the swearing-in ceremony at City Hall in Bloomington.

Also on May 1, Bloomington Mayor Stephen Stockton was sworn in for a second term in office. Stockton serves as a member of the College of Arts and Sciences community advisory board.

McDade grew up in Aurora and attended Monmouth College before moving to Bloomington in 2000. In 2004, she earned her graduate degree from Illinois State University. She enjoys running, working out, cooking and baking, shopping, and reading.