History graduate student OT Thompson was awarded first place at the 2026 Summer Predoctoral Programs Research Symposium for her presentation No Perfect Plan: Understanding Local Efforts to Desegregate Springfield, Illinois District 186. Her presentation was recognized for excellence in research, scholarly inquiry, and impact.
The symposium celebrated the culmination of an enriching summer of research, learning, and community-building for incoming graduate students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While the symposium marked the conclusion of their summer experience, it also represented the beginning of their journeys as Illinois graduate students.
Summer Predoctoral Programs provide incoming doctoral students with an opportunity to become familiar with the academic, social, and cultural environment of graduate school before beginning their degree programs. Through orientation, research experiences, professional development, and opportunities to build community with peers and faculty, participants gain an early understanding of graduate school expectations and the resources available to support their success at Illinois.