Two faculty members from the College of Education were selected to participate in the Emerging Research Leaders Academy (ERLA) from the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute.
Amber Ray from Special Education and Miray Tekkumru-Kisa from Curriculum & Instruction are part of the 16-member cohort for 2026-27.
Candidates for ERLA are nominated by a dean, director, or department head in one of their affiliated units. When submitting nominations, these administrative leaders expressed a desire to invest in and amplify the nominees’ efforts to scale their work, expand their impact, build strategic partnerships, and lead the future of research at Illinois.
Robb Lindgren, associate dean for research, nominated Tekkumru-Kisa and Ray, anticipating the same encouragement, knowledge, and access to resources that he experienced as part of the program.
“When I participated in ERLA, I learned a lot about campuswide resources for things such as research communication and team management that have been invaluable to me in my current role, and I think Professors Tekkumru-Kisa and Ray will really benefit from these experiences. I’ve stayed in contact with many in my ERLA cohort, and it is my hope that these faculty members will have the chance to build community with their cohort as well,” Lindgren said.
