Isaac Farhadian, a 2024 University of Illinois Springfield master’s in political science graduate, was honored on April 11, 2025, with the Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award for the 2023-2024 academic year.

His thesis, advised by Professor Matthew Geras, analyzes the major determinants of support for capital sentencing among high school seniors. Examining the perspectives of high school seniors on controversial issues holds significance, as they represent the future electorate.

Farhadian has been an educator for 12 years and currently teaches AP U.S. Government and Politics, U.S. Government, Economics and Constitution 101 to high school seniors at John H. Pittman High School in Turlock, California.

For more information about the graduate programs and research opportunities at UIS, please visit the Graduate Education webpage.