The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) is pleased to announce the election of Dan McConchie ’93, ’95 to its Board of Trustees.
A two-time alumnus and longtime supporter, McConchie first became involved with TFAS when he attended the Journalism & Communications Program track in 1993 and TFAS Prague in 1995, where he met his late wife, Milena (Apostolova) McConchie ’95.
TFAS President Roger Ream ’76 welcomed McConchie’s election, noting:
“Dan exemplifies the kind of principled, courageous leadership TFAS strives to cultivate in every student. His story of servant leadership reflects the very best of our mission, and we are honored to have his wisdom and experience helping guide TFAS into the future.”
Dan served in the Army National Guard for nine years. During his service, he began his career in the nonprofit sector, where he worked for 18 years as a public policy expert before becoming an Illinois State Senator.
In 2007, McConchie was injured in a hit-and-run accident that left him with a spinal cord injury. Undeterred, he became the first paraplegic elected to a state-level office in Illinois when he won his Illinois State Senate seat in 2016. During his tenure, he championed issues including fiscal responsibility and expanded accessibility for people with disabilities.
After nearly a decade of service and rising to the position of minority leader in the Illinois State Senate, McConchie founded the Accessibility Policy Institute to advance accessibility rights nationwide.
In early 2025, before Milena’s passing, Dan and Milena established The Dan and Milena McConchie Scholarship Fund to support students attending TFAS programs, with preference given to students from Ukraine and Bulgaria to attend the TFAS International program in Prague. So far, the fund has received more than $125,000 in contributions and has already begun supporting students, demonstrating the McConchies’ commitment to cultivating the next generation of courageous leaders.
Dan has been a longtime friend, supporter and active member of TFAS’s Alumni Network. He previously served on the TFAS Alumni Council and the TFAS Board of Regents and frequently shares his expertise and experience as a speaker to TFAS supporters and student audiences.
The McConchie family’s connection to TFAS extends to the next generation as well. Dan and Milena’s eldest daughter, Sophia McConchie ’16, participated in TFAS’s high school division, the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE) program, attending the Economics for Leaders program at Washington University in St. Louis in 2016.
McConchie said it was an honor and privilege to join the TFAS Board of Trustees.
“I can attest that The Fund for American Studies educational programs changed my life and set me on a path of public policy engagement and ultimately to public service,” McConchie said. “It is a deep privilege to join the board of this fine organization to help further their wonderful work and help raise up a new generation of leaders.”
A true example of a courageous leader, McConchie continues to uphold the principles of individual liberty, personal responsibility and economic freedom. His personal story of resilience and dedication inspires others to serve their communities with integrity and stand firm in defense of freedom.
McConchie joins the governing board in supporting TFAS’s mission to develop courageous leaders in the United States and around the world. To learn more about the board, visit TFAS.org/trustees.