STAFF
John Gruidl is a Professor in the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at
Western Illinois University where he teaches, conducts research, and
creates new outreach programs in community and economic
development. From 1994-2005, he started and directed the award-winning
Peace Corps Fellows Program, a community-based internship
program for returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Gruidl also helped
create MAPPING the Future of Your Community, a strategic visioning
program for Illinois communities.
John is passionate about creating new learning opportunities for students, community leaders, and community development practitioners. Currently, he directs the Midwest Community Development Institute, one of only six sites in the country that provides a certification program in the field of community development. He is widely published in the field of community and economic development. In 2007, Gruidl received the Community Development Achievement Award from the Community Development Society.
Gruidl earned a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Applied Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1989, with a major in the field of Community Economics.
Karen Poncin is the Operations Manager at the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs. In this role, Poncin provides editorial support for IIRA publications, manages IIRA-sponsored events and trainings, oversees marketing and media relations, and supports the research and policy initiatives of the IIRA. Prior to joining IIRA, Poncin was Assistant Dean of Instruction at Spoon River College where she oversaw SRC’s academic programs, academic assessment, and institutional effectiveness initiatives.
Sandy Wittig joined Midwest CDI in April 2007 when she began employment with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) staff. Prior to joining the IIRA, Wittig had been the Operation Manager for MTS Publishing Company. Wittig is a graduate of Robert Morris College.
Mallory Smith serves as statewide coordinator for Buy Fresh, Buy Local Iowa, a national program promoting local foods and sustainable agriculture. Smith has a BA in Home Economics from the University of Iowa and an MBA in Community Development from Western Illinois University. Her development experiences include two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras, a stint as a chamber of commerce president and setting up and running an economic development office in Louisa County, Iowa. Buy Fresh, Buy Local Iowa is part of a diverse roster of clients that Smith works with through her business, M Smith Agency. Smith resides in Columbus Junction, a small town highly regarded for its authentic Hispanic restaurants and stores.
