On April 2, the College of Education at the University of Illinois published the recipients of the distinguished faculty/staff awards for 2013. The OCCRL family is very pleased to announce that our Director, Professor Debra D. Bragg was selected as the faculty winner of the Dean’s Prize for Breakthrough Initiatives in Research.This award was created and endowed by Dean Mary Kalantzis and Dr. Bill Cope in 2007 for the purpose of recognizing outstanding faculty whose research, teaching or practice “demonstrates a notable level of innovation.”

An excerpt from her nomination reveals some of the dedication and contributions Dr. Bragg has made that earned this award:

Research led by Dr. Bragg at the Office of Community College Research and Leadership, which she founded, has focused on student transition and completion in higher education and has contributed to the critical literature on gaps in equitable access and completion rates of diverse, underserved populations. Dozens of UIUC graduate students have been offered the opportunity to be involved in cutting edge research at OCCRL, jump-starting their careers as researchers, professors, policy-makers and practitioners. Recent research that builds on her body of work has led to the conceptualization and design of a new model for achieving an historic breakthrough in linking educational research and development, policy, and practice.

Upon learning of the award, Dr. Bragg stated, “This isn’t about me – it’s about all of OCCRL.” So, all of us at OCCRL would like to publicly congratulate Dr. Bragg on this well-deserved commendation. We’re very proud of you!