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Betsy Goulet sounds like a poet when she describes her life’s work advocating for children in crisis — choosing her words carefully, making each one matter.
“Looking in the rearview, I can see things had to connect. A moment early in my career left me committed to better training for people who intervene in gut-wrenching situations,” she said. “I can see the links and synchronicities all the way through what I’ve had the good fortune to be involved in.”
The three-time University of Illinois Springfield alumna and retired clinical assistant professor emerita is this year’s Dr. Tai R. Shin and Mrs. You H. Shin Humanitarian honoree.
Honorees pay forward $50,000 to a department or program in the University of Illinois System to support further humanitarian work. Goulet will bestow funding to the Alliance for Experiential Problem-Based Learning at UIS.
Nominations for the next Shin Humanitarian Award are due April 11.
“This award is unique and special on several levels, focusing as it does on extraordinary humanitarian contributions and soliciting nominations from our broader communities,” system President Tim Killeen said. “Dr. and Mrs. Shin are to be commended for shining a bright light upon these noteworthy individuals who work and live among us.”
Leaving a legacy through policy
Goulet will accept her award March 3 at the quarterly U of I System President’s Executive Leadership Program gathering. Aptly, the focus of the three-day seminar is Strengthening Public Policy Partnerships in the State’s Capital City.
Working in child protection for more than 30 years, Goulet served as the founding director of the Sangamon County Child Advocacy Center and worked as the children’s policy advisor to the Illinois Attorney General. She also worked for the National Children’s Alliance, conducting site reviews at children’s advocacy centers across the country.
Through a multi-year contract with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Goulet developed a new model for child protection training that emphasizes experiential learning and the use of a Residential Simulation Lab and mock courtroom at UIS.
Two of Goulet’s colleagues nominated her for the award.
‘Worked tirelessly’ for vulnerable children and families
Bob Blankenberger and Goulet started teaching in the public administration program at UIS in fall 2012.
“We often talked about projects she was working on, teaching approaches, academia, and life in general,” Blankenberger said. “She is one of the most giving people I have ever known and has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families.”
Goulet’s work includes creating curriculum to educate the next generation of child welfare practitioners at UIS and throughout the United States, as well as helping shape national best practices for child protection training.
Jennifer Bettis learned about Goulet’s impact within days of starting her job at UIS in 2021.
“Right away, Betsy struck me as soft-spoken, humble, and nurturing,” said Bettis, director of development for the College of Health, Science and Technology. “I’ve had opportunities to hear her speak about her work and continue to think about the impact she’s had and how her impact will live on.”
Financial support through Shin Humanitarian Award
To further prepare future generations through education and situational simulations, Goulet started the Child Advocacy Studies certification program at UIS and established the Child Protection Training Academy through a contract with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
The Alliance for Experiential Problem-Based Learning, which Goulet helped create, will use the Shin award funding to reach more future and current frontline professionals.
“An entirely grant-funded unit, the Alliance for Experiential Problem-Based Learning is always grateful for gifts that support our important work to protect children and enhance skillsets of frontline professionals. No one understands this work more than Betsy,” said Amy Wheeler, unit director.
“Our team fully recognizes we would not be here without Betsy’s vision, tenacity, and perseverance. We are grateful for her continued support and look forward to continuing the work she began.”
Award spreads impact further
UIS Chancellor Janet Gooch applauds Goulet’s far-reaching impact.
“What makes Betsy shine in this area is her deep compassion and empathy — not just for the children who will be helped by training protection professionals, but also for the professionals themselves,” she said.
“Betsy’s aim is to train individuals who are equipped not only with the necessary knowledge and skills but also with the critical thinking and emotional intelligence to effectively handle situations that many of us can’t even imagine."
As part of the Shin Humanitarian Award, Goulet receives a $5,000 honorarium and travel expenses to connect with students, faculty, and staff about her work at a date to be determined.
Goulet’s 2024 retirement from UIS has little to do with down time. She remains active in the U of I System Institute of Government and Public Affairs, serves as a senior research fellow with the Child Welfare League of America, and hopes to resume teaching at some point.
“I miss it, the lightbulb moments students have right in front of you. Nothing compares to seeing that what you’ve taught really sinks in,” she said.
