WHO: The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) www.cur.org
WHAT: Engaging community college students in undergraduate research is a new and exciting trend that has recently been supported by two National Science Foundation grants to the Council on Undergraduate Research and several community colleges. This briefing will feature two national experts and their students discussing the transformative educational role of undergraduate research for community college students. Speakers include:
‧Moderator: Nancy Hensel, Executive Officer, Council on Undergraduate Research
‧Judith Marwick, Provost, Harper College, to be accompanied by an undergraduate researcher
‧Niccole Cerveny, Professor of Geology, Mesa Community College, to be accompanied by an undergraduate researcher
‧Brent Cejda, Professor of Higher Education, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Executive Director of National Council of Instructional Administrators
WHEN: 12:00 P.M., Tuesday, November 1, 2011 (Lunch will be served)
WHERE: B-338 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC
WHY: Undergraduate research opportunities attract and retain community college students in the STEM fields that are crucial to the country’s economic success and global competitiveness. Further, community college students from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields are more likely to pursue advanced studies in these fields if they have an undergraduate research experience. Ultimately, there is a strong correlation between undergraduate research opportunities and persistence in science-related programs of study and careers. Since nearly 50% of university students begin their education at community colleges, undergraduate research experiences must become commonplace on community college campuses. We hope you join us to learn more about the benefits of undergraduate research at community colleges.
The benefits of undergraduate research to the engaged students and faculty, as well as to the institution, have led community colleges to devise new approaches to curriculum that cut across disciplines. Student/faculty collaborative research at community colleges is contributing to economic development and job creation in their communities. These efforts play a key role in the success of federally funded research and development. It is crucial that policymakers understand which federal programs support undergraduate research, their benefits, as well as the potential new developments in this area.
RSVP: 202-783-4810.
###About CUR: The Council on Undergraduate Research (www.cur.org) supports faculty development for high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship. Over 600 institutions and 7000 individuals belong to CUR. CUR believes that the best way to capture student interest and create enthusiasm for a discipline is through research in close collaboration with faculty members.
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