Glendal William Poshard (born October 30, 1945) is an American educator and former politician who served as an Illinois State Senator and U.S.

[5] In the 1986 general election, Poshard was reelected by a commanding margin against Republican candidate Richard Simmons of Marion.

Local Democratic leaders chose State Representative Jim Rea from a field of fourteen applicants.

Among its many activities, the Poshard Foundation led efforts to construct a new $600,000 women's shelter in Cairo, Illinois that opened in December 2003.

Some individuals, even prominent Democrats like former Senator Paul Simon, criticized Poshard for his attacks on Ryan's corruption.

However, Poshard was vindicated to a considerable extent when Ryan was indicted in late 2003 on 22 counts of racketeering conspiracy, mail and tax fraud, and false statements charges alleging public corruption during his terms as Illinois Secretary of State and as governor.

[14] That same year, on November 16, 2004, Governor Rod Blagojevich appointed Poshard to serve as the Chair of the Health Facilities Planning Board for a term ending July 1, 2007.

[15] Poshard resigned from the Health Facilities Planning Board after becoming the President of Southern Illinois University.

[16] In 2004, he also served as the unpaid, interim general manager of the Rend Lake Conservancy District, which supplies water to more than 60 southern Illinois towns.

[20] He resigned his position on the board of trustees in 2005 when he announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Southern Illinois University system.

He serves as one of the district's two representatives to the Democratic Party of Illinois alongside Central Committeewoman Vivian Robinson.

[22] In 1999, Poshard was hired by Southern Illinois University Carbondale to serve as the Vice Chancellor of Administration.

[25] The faculty senate at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville asked Poshard to step down as president.

[31] An investigation by the United States Department of Education of financial mismanagement by the college, started in January 2017 prior to Poshard's hiring, resulted in its closure in 2018.