The deadline for Kent State University's 2017 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) is fast approaching. Applications for the program’s second installment are due March 1.
Kent State’s inaugural SURE program gave 35 undergraduates from various academic backgrounds an eight-week fellowship to conduct research with a faculty mentor from June 13 to Aug. 5, 2016.
“We’ve received very positive feedback, and I think everyone sees this as a great way to grow the culture of research and provide meaningful opportunities for undergraduates to pursue their interest in research,” says Doug Delahanty, associate vice president for research faculty development in the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs and the lead organizer of SURE.
Kent State President Beverly Warren’s office directly funded the program, which has been roundly praised across campus.
“SURE is really a concrete example of the president’s investment in merging the core priorities of putting students first and creating a distinctive Kent State with a strong culture of research and innovation,” Delahanty says.
Last year, students learned about SURE largely by word of mouth from their professors. While promotions for the next installment have been louder, that faculty-to-student element is still vital to making this year’s event bigger and better. The Office of Student Research is again asking faculty to volunteer as mentors and encourage students to apply for fellowships by the due date.
“Given that it was the first year of this program, we were extremely excited about the level of interest," Delahanty says. "We had well over 100 applications. We’re very much looking forward to this year, seeing more applicants and providing more opportunities for students and faculty to collaborate."
Faculty mentors found many benefits to participating, including student support of their research efforts; potential for increased productivity, grant applications and presentations; enhanced teaching skills; and fresh insight and inquiry into their area of study.
Students said SURE had a significant impact on their studies.
“It really helped me to build a foundation and develop the skills to get hired into a real lab,” says junior chemistry and pre-med major Travis Mollick. “I was able to build the techniques and grow my understanding of the subject.”
Students and faculty can find details about the program and a link to the application at www.kent.edu/student_research/summer-undergraduate-research-experience.