During a 2022 trip to see his big sister at Illinois State University, incoming freshman Kam Thompson knew he was destined to be a Redbird.
“I decided on Illinois State, more or less as a legacy, because my sister went there. One weekend I came to visit her, and I fell in love with the campus,” said Thompson, of Des Plaines.
His sister, Kyanna Thompson ’23, studied history education and worked as a resident assistant at Illinois State. During Kam’s visit, when he was in junior high school, Kyanna recalls her brother running “all over campus,” wanting to “see everything he could and meet all the people I knew.”
“It was a whole new world for him,” Kyanna said. “My friends were absolutely delighted and treated him like their own little brother. He really got to see what he could be doing in the future.”
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Kam, who received the Redbird Academic Scholarship, plans to study journalism and business. He chose to double major based on the advice of his sister.
“I wanted to be flexible in terms of the positions I can take,” he said.
Kam found a passion for radio in high school and is aiming for a future career in sports broadcasting or writing. He is eager to join the team at Illinois State’s award-winning student radio station WZND.
“I’m looking forward to working with the student radio, and I’m hoping to call a few basketball games. I did that a few times in high school, and it’s so much fun,” Kam said. “I’m also looking forward to actually using my voice and learning how to network.”
Kam said his generation is often labeled as “lazy, dependent, and only interested in parties,” but his experience connecting with Redbird peers tells a different story.
“Everybody I meet seems so driven about putting their academics first,” he said.
Kyanna’s career after graduation began as a high school history teacher for English learners. She later earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Illinois Chicago. She now works as an instructional designer at Everspring, helping college professors create curriculum that supports a wide range of student needs.
“I want Kam to see the good things I’ve done, and things that I’d maybe do differently, and be able to take bits and pieces to apply to his own life,” Kyanna said. “It’s important to me that he knows he is a bright, funny, great kid. He is going to love all the opportunities available at ISU.”
As the first day of class approaches, Kam said he’s feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. He said his biggest supporter in the transition from high school to college was his sister.
“She means a lot to me. I basically take everything she says to heart. I’m very grateful that I have her helping me with my college journey,” Kam said.
Kyanna said their parents emphasized the importance of a strong sibling relationship—a bond that is clearly deepening with time.
“I want to make sure he always knows I’m in his corner, and that I’m going to push him to be his best self,” Kyanna said. “I also hope he forges his own path and really finds the things that are meaningful to him at ISU and beyond.”
