Distinguishing our Undergraduate Researchers: Perspectives on an Innovative Campus-Wide Framework at Two R1 Land Grant Institutions

There is an increasing need to relate cross-institutional strategies to elevate undergraduate research and foster collaborations. Many students participate in more than one research experience at their home institutions, and some will also have the opportunity to conduct research outside of their home institutions, such as at NSF REU sites, which allows them to engage with new faculty, content, and research. This creates a space for universities to celebrate all types of student research experiences, even research conducted at other institutions, and offer a programmatic structure that not only provides a roadmap for students in terms of participation but also a connector to key university resources. Here, two research-intensive, land-grant institutions discuss their innovative framework to aid launching UR tracking programs. The framework for these programs is highly adaptable and helps with development and implementation.

In this presentation, speakers will discuss the varied research landscape for students across the two universities and challenges commonly faced by those in UR supporting roles, such as UR librarians and Directors of Offices of UR. They will provide an overview of their UR tracking programs and how this type of programmatic framework can assist in connecting with student researchers, offering essential training and support for both students and mentors, celebrating the success of students, and identifying the reach and impact the framework provides OURs and other support units, such as University Libraries. The speakers will showcase where their programs overlap and diverge, share cross-institutional strategies for learning and collaboration, and address how this framework allows for flexibility and adaptability.

This type of UR programmatic approach not only benefits librarians and Directors but also students, mentors, and the undergraduate research community at large. A set curriculum for UR does not exist for every student, so this program structure offers goalposts for students, particularly those seeking to maximize their research participation potential while in college and/or their future careers in research. Faculty mentors and UR program directors can integrate any or all of the framework’s resources, training, and requirements to build their own recommended path for students.

Attendees will leave this session with access to the programmatic framework alongside a “menu” of options for program development and growth, and access to other types of openly accessible UR resources. Following the session, attendees will be able to practice programmatic development using the menu, draft UR tracking programs that celebrate student success, and integrate any shared materials or the framework itself into usable programing at their home institutions.