The Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program (KCGIP) is proud to welcome its 2026 cohort during this year’s Professional Development Week, kicking off June 16th. A total of 92 new students will arrive in Eugene to begin their journey at the Knight Campus, including 21 Bioinformatics & Genomics students, 20 Optical Materials & Devices students, 19 Polymer Science students, 20 Semiconductor students, and 12 Molecular Sensors & Biotechnology students. 

Professional Development Week is designed to set the foundation for student success by fostering community, clarifying expectations, and equipping students with tools to excel academically and professionally. 

This year’s programming will feature three themed days: Values-Rooted Community, Program Success, and Broadening Community. 

Values-Rooted Community 

The week begins with a focus on building a strong, inclusive community. Students will participate in interactive sessions exploring both personal and programmatic values, with an emphasis on cultural humility and collaboration. 

In the afternoon, Sierra Dawson, Associate Vice Provost for Faculty & Leadership Development at the University of Oregon, will lead Five Paths to Leadership. This session introduces an assessment-driven framework that helps individuals and teams better understand their leadership strengths—and how to apply them effectively in academic and professional settings. 

Program Success 

Day two centers on preparing students to thrive from the get go. Through targeted sessions, students will gain practical strategies to navigate lab work, coursework, and professional development opportunities while avoiding common challenges. The goal is to ensure participants feel confident, prepared, and ready to make the most of their KCGIP experience. 

Broadening Community 

The final day expands students’ connections beyond their immediate cohort. Participants will engage with the broader Knight Campus community, including facilities staff, faculty, KCGIP alumni, and program hiring partners. The week concludes with a networking mixer, offering students the opportunity to put their networking skills to use and begin building meaningful professional relationships that will support their future careers. 

Congratulations to the 2026 KCGIP cohort—we look forward to your impact at the Knight Campus and beyond! 

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May 27, 2026