Undergraduate Education
Cancer Scholars Program
The Cancer Scholars Program (CSP) is an undergraduate program that provides students with a unique interdisciplinary learning experience that inspires profound scholarship through exposure to research early in their undergraduate careers.
While traditional undergraduate education focuses on classroom instruction independent of career aspirations or broader causes, the CSP program incorporates real-world laboratory experiences, fellowships, workforce development, and advocacy to empower students to pursue scientific breakthroughs, develop solutions against cancer, and lead lives of impact.
Program Goals
- Encourage continued learning and the pursuit of education to make progress in the fight against cancer
- Emphasize research early to encourage critical thinking and build skills and knowledge from the very outset
- Provide clinical, patient-oriented, and entrepreneurial opportunities alongside comprehensive disciplinary training
- Advance the detection and treatment of cancer through engineering solutions
Affiliated University of Illinois Departments
For More Information
Contact Marcia (Marci) Pool, CCIL Assistant Director for Education at mpool@illinois.edu.
Cancer Education Undergraduate Certificate Program
The Cancer Education Undergraduate Certificate recognizes undergraduate students who demonstrate a sustained commitment to cancer education through interdisciplinary learning, outreach, and research dissemination. By completing this certificate, students demonstrate a commitment to advancing cancer education and preparing for impactful careers in this critical area of public health.
Applications are accepted in December and June, and certificates are validated in March and December.
Program Goals
- Develop foundational skills to gain a comprehensive understanding of cancer
- Explore interdisciplinary cancer research through seminars and conferences
- Apply knowledge to developing materials for outreach and public engagement
- Disseminate knowledge through public venues and forums
For More Information
Contact Stephanie Dietrich, Educational Programs Manager at sdrich@illinois.edu.
Undergraduate Research Groups
The Undergraduate Research Groups program is a competitive, year-long undergraduate research and professional development experience focused on cancer education scholarship. Selected students work in mentor-supported teams to develop scholarly cancer education projects for submission to cancer-focused conferences, such as the International Cancer Education Conference.
Throughout the program, students identify a cancer education topic, conduct a literature review, develop a research or practice-based abstract, and prepare a professional poster presentation. Students receive structured support in plain-language scientific writing, citation management, abstract development, peer review, poster design, and conference presentation skills. The program is designed to strengthen students’ skills in cancer education research, health communication, collaboration, and professional scholarship while preparing them to contribute to the broader field of cancer education.
For More Information
Contact Stephanie Dietrich, Educational Programs Manager at sdrich@illinois.edu.