West Central Reporter

Governor Appoints WIU Trustee

Retired Illinois State Police Southern Patrol Region Commander Derek Wise, of Venice, IL, has been appointed as a member of the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Wise, the former patrol southern region commander for the Illinois State Police, retired in 2022. During his time as commander, he supervised six different patrol districts in Southern Illinois. He was also responsible for supervising the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI) and South-Central Illinois Drug Task Force (SCIDTF) as Narcotics Commander. Wise held several roles, including trooper, sergeant, master sergeant, lieutenant, zone commander, district commander and region commander. He also served as an adjunct professor at Lindenwood University and Southern Illinois University. Wise has served as president of the Illinois Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers and was the lead instructor at the National Black State Troopers Coalition national convention. He received his associate degree from Southwestern Illinois College, Paralegal Certification and Bachelor of Arts from Webster University and master's degree from Lindenwood University.

"I am pleased that Gov. Pritzker has appointed this outstanding individual to the WIU Board of Trustees," said WIU President Guiyou Huang. "I look forward to working with our trustees hereto continue to move the University forward." 

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