Progress Updates
Formulate partnerships in higher education and industry to expand access opportunities for IMSA students around the state.
March 2026
We connected with the Polsky Center about their new San Francisco space, Third Coast Foundry, as a potential location for a student intersession experience next year.
Over 150 students have been placed for summer research experiences through SRELO, including over 30 IMSA scholars. We are working on placing students on the wait list for internships, SIR, or other summer enrichment opportunities.
February 2026
Students and IMSA scholars are being notified for SRELO placements. We have over 140 summer research experiences available at locations throughout the
state, including two new residential options at NIU and UIC. These experiences are free, thanks to the grant and in-kind support we have received.
Dr. Anita White, Amber Lange, Frank Kadri, and a group of IMSA students went to a Life Sciences, Quantum Computing, and Biotech Summit on February 24 at our
partner site, Hyde Park Labs at the University of Chicago.
January 2026
The team is currently finalizing partner commitments for SRELO, and then plans to share the program in February. We are planning new residential experiences at UIC and NIU this summer, in addition to programs we have offered in the past.
Dr. Glazer and the team members have been in discussions with Fermilab, Infleqtion, and UIC about partnerships related to quantum research opportunities for our students.
Dr. Glazer spoke with the Polsky Center for Innovation at the University of Chicago to discuss launching an SRELO program at their site, hosting IMSA internships this summer.
December 2025
Dr. Evan Glazer and Dr. Anita White met with Kristin Brynsteson, Director of STEAM at Northern University Illinois. We are establishing an SRELO site this summer that will involve both IMSA students and IMSA scholars working together on research.
Dr. White is currently working with UIC to create a summer residential experience for SRELO on UIC’s campus, including IMSA students and IMSA scholars.
Dr. Evan Glazer, Dr. Anita White, Sharon Doering-Domanus, and a group of IMSA students attended a quantum conference at Fermilab, “Exploring the Quantum Universe.” Dr. Glazer and Ms. Doering-Domanus participated in a panel regarding workforce development, and two of our students presented posters.
November 2025
We are currently recruiting SRELO partner institutions for summer 2026, including at least one additional residential program. The program is typically published by February.
We had a conversation with Rachel Switzky, Director of the Siebel Center for Design at U of I, and Saad Shehab to explore a partnership on professional development in design thinking.
Evan Glazer met with Spencer Pasero and Gabe Perdue at Fermilab to explore research experiences (2026-2027) and summer programming (2027) in quantum science and engineering.
October 2025
Evan Glazer met with NIU summer program coordinators, and they were receptive to launching an SRELO camp this summer. They will likely start with one focus area that aligns with some of their existing camp experiences.
Anita White met with Ramona Alcala at UIC to explore a summer residential program. We have had a commuting SRELO program for the past two summers.
Frank Kadri is engaging the University of Chicago (Hyde Park Labs) about an SRELO program this summer.
September 2025
Evan Glazer met with Pranav Gokhale at Inflection and Emily Whitman Easton at the Chicago Quantum Exchange to explore potential internships/research/outreach experiences for students to study quantum science and engineering.
This month, the Higher Ed and Industry Partnership team will focus on outreach to prospective SRELO locations for Summer 2026 (residential and commuting).
Dr. Anita White is scheduled to meet with the coordinator from UIC in mid-September to discuss the development of a residential program.
August 2025
Evan Glazer visited the SRELO program at WIU on July 17-18, and Anita White and Will Perkins joined him at SIUE on July 21-22. Students and mentors provided an overview of their research experience during the summer.
This summer, the SRELO program provided students with access to over 100 research and internship opportunities. In addition to SIUE and WIU, student cohorts were formed at UIC, DPI, CSU, SIUC, and IMSA. We are grateful for such broad participation. The program of experiences and placements is available in our summer symposium viewbook.
July 2025
Dr. Glazer met with Dr. Brian DeMarco, a physics professor at UIUC and the associate director/CTO for the future Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. One of our Higher Ed/Industry goals this year is to find a meaningful connection with quantum computing and technologies.
A team visited the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago. We are exploring potential Chicago Hub activities, such as outreach and research, at the newly developed Hyde Park Labs.
June 2025
Dr. Glazer met with Armando Rodriguez from CPS (Deputy Chief of College and Career Success) to share summer learning opportunities available to CPS students and to engage CPS in future IMSA learning experiences in Chicago.
Dr. Glazer and Cassandra Armstrong spoke with Dr. Jessica Chavez, VP of Education at the Griffin MSI, to explore partnering opportunities. She and her team will visit outreach programs later this summer.
Dr. Glazer met with Brad Henderson, CEO of P33, to discuss how IMSA can be engaged with the Chicago Quantum efforts. Right now, we are thinking about research opportunities at the National Quantum Algorithm Center.
April/May 2025
Dr. Glazer met with Samir Mayekar from the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago. They discussed the newly developed Hyde Park Labs as a possible location for IMSA outreach activities.
We have invited the Class of 2025 to participate in SRELO for any of the unfilled spots. We will also recruit IMSA scholars for the remaining spots at SIU, WIU, and IMSA.
February/March 2025
A note was sent to the Classes of 2026 and 2027 (and families) about summer research and internship experiences. We’re excited to share that we now have over 110 opportunities, including new partnerships with Chicago State University, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, and Velexi.
Placements for SRELO summer programs will begin over the next couple of weeks. We will also begin promoting summer opportunities at IMSA, SIUC, and WIU to 20-40 IMSA scholars.
We are exploring with Golden Apple the possibility of placing their scholars (future educators) at our Carbondale Hub.
We have connected with the Executive Director at EPIC Academy in Chicago about providing professional development services (and exploring a research/internship credential down the road when the quantum computing center opens).
January 2025
Dr. Glazer connected with Chicago State University about hosting students this summer for the Summer Research and Experiential Learning Opportunities (SRELO) program. They are also interested in recruiting IMSA students. The team is working hard to finalize the SRELO program options by the end of January for presentation to students in February.
November/December 2024
Dr. Glazer connected with St. Xavier leadership about creating an SRELO program. They have a medical simulation center, which would be of interest to IMSA students. St. Xavier is also a good location to engage students residing in Chicago. In addition, Dr. Glazer and the team are currently recruiting students for summer internships. They are engaging alumni, parents, parents of alumni, and corporate partners. They are also seeking opportunities for recent IMSA grads, as some companies prefer to hire interns who are 18 or older. Trustees are encouraged to offer internships or connections to professionals who would consider offering summer internships.
We are currently engaging prospects for summer research. SIUC and DPI are interested in expanding their sites to include students beyond IMSA (IMSA scholars).
October 2024
Dr. Glazer and Dr. Mekky met with Alan Mather and Neal Grimes from Golden Apple to explore ways Golden Apple Scholars could be involved in our outreach programs, particularly those held during the summer and outside our region. Dr. White debriefed with UIC colleagues involved in mentoring during our SRELO program to obtain feedback and develop strategies for the future. In addition to our dashboard goals, the Higher Ed and Industry Partnership team developed goals to create more pathways for dual credit and an internship program for IMSA grads currently in college.
September 2024
Students are currently planning their SIR and internship opportunities this year. Some of our summer SRELO mentors have offered to continue working with our students. Chicago-based experiences can be in person, and others will be offered remotely. Also, Dr. Glazer and Tami Armstrong went to an innovation showcase at mHub in Chicago, where former IMSA student and YouTube Co-Founder Steve Chen was the keynote speaker. We also connected with former IMSA colleagues currently working and inventing in tech and maker spaces.
July/August 2024
Dr. Glazer and Dr. Anita White visited DPI in Chicago to connect with our students involved in AI research. While there, they also connected with staff who are supporting AI-related professional development for educators. Dr. Glazer also visited WIU students in our SRELO program on July 17-18. Special thanks to Dr. Kapale for hosting.
June 2024
Our Summer Research programs (SRELO) are launching in June with over 70 student participants. Following their experience, we are planning for them to present their work at a mini-symposium on August 16, following Convocation. Also, the Higher Ed and Industry Partnership team presented a seminar to IMSA colleagues on May 22, 2024, about their work this year. Dr. Glazer and Luke Berryman, the Director of Experiential Learning, met with two UIUC professors to discuss creating a set of SIR project options available to IMSA students in August. We have seven courses approved for dual enrollment headed into next school year, with a few more pending.
April/May 2024
We continue to work with Waubonsee Community College on dual-credit agreements for the fall, covering over 10 courses. Waubonsee Community College. WCC is reviewing the syllabi and teaching credentials of our faculty for 13 potential dual credit opportunities. Currently, we are working with WCC to align our post-calculus math courses with their 200-level math offerings and to determine how our students can demonstrate that they meet the prerequisites for these courses as listed in the WCC catalog. Our next meeting with WCC is on Friday, May 9, to confirm the approved courses. The IMSA master schedule for 2024-25 is in final draft form (typically completed in July), so that as we announce dual credit opportunities to students and families, we can pivot if we see a shift in course requests.
The Higher Ed and Industry Partnership team is presenting a workshop to IMSA on May 22, 2024, about their work this year.
We have 70 students placed in SRELO this summer for research experiences at the following locations (IMSA-17, SIU-17, WIU- 10, KCFP- 2, UIC- 13, DPI- 10, UIUC- 1). Thanks to Dr. Anita White for coordinating these efforts and Sharon Doering-Domanus for securing grant funding.
We are currently refining a tool that uses weighted criteria to identify partnerships that benefit IMSA.
March 2024
President Glazer met with Dr. Greg Larnell, an IMSA alum and UIC professor, about CLED student success in math and potential pathways for IMSA to collaborate with UIC on research in this area. We have placed 70 students for research in summer programs (SRELO) throughout the state. Funding has been provided through numerous grant sources that prioritize access to CLED students.
In addition, we are finalizing the development of a partnership tool that will help us rank partner prospects in higher education and industry based on variables such as statewide impact, economic feasibility, supporting a high-need area, and more.
February 2024
SRELO has partnerships with 6 external groups, including Southern Illinois University, Discovery Partners Institute, University of Illinois-Chicago, and Kane County Forest Preserve. We have had over 150 students express interest, and we can provide approximately 40-45 scholarships for the residential programs, based on the grants we have received this year. Other efforts related to Theme 4 include:
- OPA is collecting alumni information through a survey to understand career pathways and the role IMSA has played in their development. 31 alumni respondents indicated that they live in Illinois and work in higher education, and some have a specific interest in SIR mentoring.
- We are currently planning to run a Chicago-based summer program for students in grades 5-7 in collaboration with CPS and National Louis University. The program is funded by an innovation grant from the SPM Endowment.
- The Center for Teaching and Learning plans to develop four courses for Dominican University to help students build essential mathematical skills.
January 2024
We have been finalizing our summer research program options available to our students. We are pleased to report that we have more than doubled the options compared to last year (over 50). In addition to continuing partners from last year, we have also added Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (residential), University of Illinois-Chicago (commuting), Kane County Forest Preserve (commuting), and Discovery Partners Institute (online). As these programs grow, we intend to invite external students in 2025 to participate in a future research program to earn an IMSA research credential.
We are also exploring pathways for students outside IMSA to participate in IMSA-led or co-led research programs starting in 2025. For example, we met with Chicago Out of School Time to explore recruiting CPS students. In addition, we met with FermiLab to develop an in-person program with students from other schools. Lastly, we have begun thinking about ways to invite students to IMSA for a short experience, such as during intersession or for a second semester, as beds become available.
December 2023
Four non-IMSA students and two adults are moving forward with our pilot course (Object Oriented Programming) for hybrid learning, making an IMSA course available to students across the state of Illinois. The students in this course were required to complete an assignment in advance to demonstrate readiness. West Aurora High School is also interested in using modules from the course to enrich students taking AP Computer Science, with their teacher as a participant in the course.
We are finalizing agreements with UIUC, WIU, SIU Carbondale, and potentially others to host students in the summer of 2024 for a research experience (now called SRELO, formerly known as PROMISE 2.0). Grant funding from the IMSA fund and TC Energy has been provided to support scholarships for CLED students.
IMSA will host a robotics workshop on April 1, 2024, for middle and high school teachers from CPS and other city schools, in collaboration with the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI).
Barrington Price, Dominican’s Vice President of Student Success and Engagement, visited IMSA’s PROMISE program. As Dominican opens its Chicago campus in the Pilsen neighborhood, we would like to explore offering our outreach programming there to broaden our impact. Dominican is a Hispanic-Serving Institution.
We are currently exploring summer outreach programs at National Louis University for summer 2024 or summer 2025. The opportunity would allow us to reach more elementary-aged students in Chicago and provide college students with early field experiences in teaching.
November 2023
Through partnerships with higher education, community colleges, local schools, and STEM organizations throughout the state, IMSA has the potential to cast a broader net, to elevate an IMSA education everywhere, and impact educators and students significantly throughout the state of Illinois, building capacity in each area served. Our desire is to make higher education more accessible to IMSA students and our network of IMSA opportunities.
A team of colleagues is currently working on …..
- Increased summer research and internship opportunities that may be credit-bearing
- Analyzing and developing a tool to evaluate the impact of potential partnerships
- Identifying dual credit course offerings and potential courses offered by external institutions for our course catalog
- Identifying additional SRELO (PROMISE 2.0) criteria, locations, and programming for the summer of 2024
- Identifying and connecting alumni and alumni parents who work in higher ed in Illinois
- Promoting non-residential student enrollment in our hybrid, dual enrollment object-oriented programming course offered in the Spring 2024 semester
- Establishing student outreach programs in another location by involving/training preservice educators as interns
- Engaging in partnerships that can attract diverse talent to PROMISE and IMSA