NIU Research Pathways for Undergraduates

Louis Stokes Midwest Center of Excellence ConferenceChicago, IL October 24-26, 2014

Julia Spears , Northern Illinois University

Fast Facts

EnrollmentUndergraduate: 16,552Graduate: 4984College of Law: 333Total: 21,869

Average Student AgeUndergraduate: 22

Male/Female CategoriesUndergraduate: 49.8% male; 50.2% female

Ethnic/Racial Categories–Undergraduate

White: 61.3%Black: 16.3%Hispanic/Latino: 11.7%Asian: 4.9%Race Unknown: 2%

Average High School Class Rank and ACT Score

High School Grade Point Average for NIU freshmen: 3.11ACT Score for NIUfreshmen: 22

NIU is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in the category of Research Universities (high research activity), and holds an elective classification for Curricular Engagement and Outreach and Partnerships.

We believe that• Increased student participation in

undergraduate research and other high impact practices will improve student learning and ultimately increase retention rates.

High Impact Educational Practices1. First-Year Seminars & Experiences2. Common Intellectual Experiences3. Learning Communities4. Writing-Intensive Courses5. Collaborative Assignments & Projects6. Undergraduate Research7. Diversity/Global Learning8. Service Learning, Community-Based

Learning9. Internships10. Capstone Courses and Projects

Kuh, G. (2008) High Impact Educational Practices: What they are, who has access they them, and why they matter. AAC&U.

Characteristics of High-Impact Practices1. Necessitate considerable time and

effort to meaningful tasks2. Require interaction with faculty and

peers about substantive matters3. Often challenge students to critically

think and explore diversity in personal ways

4. Offer ongoing, critical feedback about performance

5. Provide the opportunity to experience learning in the various settings

6. Has the potential to be life changing

Continuum of Research Opportunities

Faculty-Initiated Project

• More developmental• Stronger mentoring

component

Faculty and Student Directed Project

• Mutual investment• New inquiry

Student-Initiated Project

• Strong student development

• Demonstrated cognitive readiness

Identified Needs for Program Growth• Freshman/Sophomore research programs• Transfer student research opportunities• Student employment in research projects• Travel support for students presenting their

work at conferences• Summer research opportunities

Program Goals

• Engage students in faculty-mentored research • Provide a positive learning environment • Help students pursue their educational goals • Introduce students to research process• Provide the opportunity to meet other

motivated student• Provide the opportunity to present at

Undergraduate Research and Artistry Day or other venue

Before 20091. USOAR (Provost Office)

2. URAP (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences)

3. Faculty Supported4. Course Based

After 20101. USOAR2. URAP3. Research Rookies4. Undergraduate Research Assistantship5. URAD and Summer Symposium6. Summer Research OP7. REU8. McKearn Fellows9. Undergraduate Travel Scholarship10. Faculty Supported11. Course Based

Undergraduate Research Programs @NIU

Undergraduate Research OpportunitiesResearch Rookies

USOAR Capstone

Independent Study

Student Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA)

Faculty Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA)

URAP

Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)

REU

Promise Scholars Program

McKearn Fellows Program

Honors Summer Scholars

Expand Your Education (EYE) Grant

Travel Grant

Research Rookies• Two semester commitment • Work alongside faculty mentor on

small-scale research project• Present your research at

Undergraduate Research & Artistry Day (URAD)

Research Rookies

• Students will:– Learn research process– Attend monthly meetings– Learn how to write a research

proposal– Present research at URAD– Receive $500 stipend

Undergraduate Special Opportunities in Artistry & Research - USOAR• Provides up to $2500 for

student-generated research projects

• On campus, in the United States, or overseas

• Applications accepted twice a year in February and October

Maria in Spain

Sarah Stuebing in Argentina

Undergraduate Research Assistantship - URA• Work under the

guidance of faculty• 10 hours/ week for 15

weeks at $10 per hour• Present research at

Undergraduate Research & Artistry Day

Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program - URAP• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences• Approximately 20 positions a semester• Students work with one-on-one with faculty to assist

in a faculty research project

Undergraduate Travel Scholarship• Provides up to $300 of support for students whose

work has been accepted to present at conference• Must receive matching funds from mentor,

department, and/or college

Undergraduate Research and Artistry Day - URAD

• Open to any undergraduate currently enrolled at NIU

• Prizes will be awarded in 2 categories:– Science, technology,

engineering & math (STEM)– Social sciences, humanities &

arts (SSHA)• Faculty Mentor of the Year Award

given out

• Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Summer Research Opportunities Program• 8-week intensive research program– Faculty-mentored research– 40 hours/week

• Field trips & excursions• Room & board provided• $3,500 stipend

Research Experience for Undergraduates• Operation E-Tank– Focus on energy, environment, ethics and

economics in the broader issue of sustainability• 8-week intensive research program during

summer• Room, board, and stipend provided• REU opportunities outside of NIU

Course Transformation Project (CTP)• Large lecture classes designed

to feel small• Blended Courses – less

lecture, more online content, and engaged activities in small groups

Develop Partnerships• Seek broad campus support.• Cultivate partners in in everyone.• Integrate undergraduate research into the

institutional, student affairs and academic messaging.

• Participate in university-wide committees. • Share your vision.

• Academic Departments• University Relations• Scholarship Office• Admissions• Library• Foundation• Honors• Housing• Cultural Centers• Graduate School• UNIV 101

Who will help you:• Identify• Recruit• Support• Mentor• Provide programming• Fund• Assess• Expand

Examples of Campus Partners

Discussion

Julia Spears, Ph.D.Associate Vice Provost for Engaged Learning

Director, Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning jspears1@niu.edu

815-761-5446

www.oseel.niu.eduAnnual Report

URPD 2015 – cur.orgTHE CONFERENCE for Undergraduate Research Programs • June 23-25, 2015, University of Oklahoma-Norman• This 1½ day conference is aimed at faculty and academic

professionals interested in the improvement, management, and promotion of undergraduate research and creative activities.

• Conference themes:– High-impact Learning: Expanding, Collaborating, Scaling Up and

Scaffolding– Ensuring Access for All– Undergraduate Research Administration Nuts and Bolts– Assessment

• Proposals due: November 14th!