(Aug. 29, 2018) — To align various undergraduate research programs and initiatives with President Taylor Eighmy’s focus on student success, the UTSA Office of Undergraduate Research will move to University College, effective Sept. 1, 2018.
“Undergraduate research can have a tremendous impact on a student’s intellectual growth and their success in college and their careers,” said Bernard Arulanandam, interim vice president for research, economic development and knowledge enterprise. “Focusing and consolidating all our undergraduate research initiatives in University College, which has the resources and service model to support all undergraduates, is a significant step to involve even more students in the research enterprise at UTSA.”
The Office of Undergraduate Research was created in 2013 by the Office of the Vice President for Research to engage and promote research opportunities for UTSA undergraduates in all academic disciplines. In the past year alone, 31 undergraduate students were awarded $40,000 in research scholarships to support discovery and learning. The office’s signature event is the annual Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry Showcase, which highlights undergraduate student research and creative endeavors. The Showcase gives many undergraduate students their first opportunity to share their research in an academic setting and explain their methodology and findings to peers and faculty. Students have the opportunity to jump-start their academic curriculum vitae (CV), and network and learn from one another. Over the past four years, more than 600 students have presented their original research under the guidance of their faculty mentor, and over 2,800 have attended the Showcase.
The office also publishes the peer-reviewed UTSA Journal of Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Works. Since it began in 2016, over fifty students have had their original research articles published in four issues of the journal.
“Conducting undergraduate research is a prime experiential learning opportunity that can help students explore their interests, acquire scholarly experience outside the classroom, and build critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are important for career development and graduate and professional programs,” said Heather Shipley, vice provost for academic affairs and dean of University College. “We are excited for this change and to work to further increase access to and awareness of the research opportunities that exist for UTSA undergraduates, starting as early as their freshman year.”
A search for a staff director for the Office of Undergraduate Research is under way.
