Communication professor Charee Thompson was one of five professors at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to be named University Scholars in recognition of their achievements in teaching, scholarship, and service.
The program honors faculty excellence and provides $15,000 to each scholar for three years to enhance their academic careers. That money may be used for travel, equipment, research assistants, books, or other purposes.
Thompson is a nationally recognized scholar in interpersonal health communication and patient/provider contexts, focusing on the role communication plays in how people navigate the uncertainties associated with conditions that are chronic, non-visible, not well understood, underfunded, and associated with stigma. She has produced groundbreaking theoretical and applied research, including virtual reality training to reduce implicit bias in maternal health care.
Thompson’s scholarly output is prolific, with an average of more than nine journal articles per year, but she still carves out time for her role as an educator and in service to the university. She has received both the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and the campuswide awards for excellence in undergraduate education and routinely earns top student evaluations. Thompson also actively participates in public engagement efforts through workshops, media appearances and interdisciplinary collaborations that translate communication research into real-world change and impact.
“The University Scholars program honors the outstanding accomplishments of these distinguished individuals,” said Nicholas Jones, executive vice president and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Illinois System. “Our faculty form the bedrock of a premier academic environment — one that not only advances societal progress but also attracts top-tier students and researchers from around the world to our universities.”
“The University Scholars embody the highest standards of academic excellence,” he continued. “Given the breadth and depth of scholarly work across our three campuses, and our ongoing commitment to recruiting and supporting exceptional educators and researchers, every recipient of this award has earned this recognition through truly commendable work.”
Editor's note: A version of this story including the full list of recipients was originally published by the Illinois News Bureau.