Mike Kelleher's roots run deep in central Illinois.

Mike's family arrived in Illinois in the mid-1800's when much of the prairie remained untouched by plow. In fact, one of the largest plots of remaining virgin prairie in Illinois-now a state nature preserve near Weston-was once owned by his family.

Kelleher, 38, was born in Pontiac, Illinois, attended high school in Colfax and received a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Illinois State University. His first job was as a news reporter in Princeton, Illinois.

He then served for over three years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Those experiences as a community health worker in an isolated rural village helped solidify his commitment to public service.

He moved to Washington, D.C. in 1989 and worked for three years as a Senate and House congressional aide, specializing in tax and trade policy. Kelleher attended graduate school at American University, where he received a Master's Degree in International Development with a concentration in Public Administration.

Kelleher then returned home to central Illinois to begin work as an instructor at Heartland Community College in Bloomington, teaching American government and non-western politics. In 1996 he moved to Illinois State University, where he teaches American government and economic development.

Kelleher also serves as the Director of the Unit for Community and Economic Development at Illinois State University. This graduate program recruits students for one year of on-campus study and a second year of full-time economic development work, often in needy communities in Illinois and around the nation. The Unit, which recruits many returned Peace Corps Volunteers, has been nationally recognized for its work. Kelleher was invited to speak about the program at a White House Conference in 1998.

Kelleher is a board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal. He lives in Normal with his wife, Karin, and two daughters.