Undergraduate Research and Mentoring Education at Queens College

Yasemin Jones (Office of the Provost)Eva Fernández (Center for Teaching & Learning)

Purpose• Queens College strategic plan mission goal:• “Prepare students to become leaders of our global

society by offering a rigorous education in the liberal arts and sciences under the guidance of a faculty dedicated to both teaching and research.”

Research opportunities for undergraduate students combined with support for faculty research.

Faculty’s expertise and research goals combined with students’ interests and career goals

Program History• Original program: 1994–2004• Program revived in fall 2009

by new Provost Jim Stellar

• 2009–2010: Faculty-led projects• 2010–2011: Added new track,

student-led projects

Current Structure and Process• Part of growing set of initiatives classified as

experiential education (Office of the Provost)

• Cross-divisional advisory committee including 5 faculty, 2 students, 1 administrator

• Calls for proposals in early fall, funding through the end of spring

• Research symposium in early fall

Proposal Process• Announcements via email, College website,

word of mouth• Committee reviews: at least 3 readers per proposal• Review criteria:

A. QualityB. Feasibility C. Broader impacts of anticipated outcomesD. Evidence of project's capacity for student

engagement and interaction with discipline (i.e., development of new skill sets, participation in paper/lab)

“I should mention that as an undergraduate myself, I conducted some research under the advisement of a faculty mentor, and presented my findings at the Hudson River Undergraduate Mathematics Conference. I found this to be an inspiring experience, further motivating me to pursue a career in mathematics. It is my goal to help interested students achieve a similar experience.” (Dr. S. Wilson, Mathematics, URME faculty–led project awardee, 2010-11)

Participation & Cost2009–2010 2010–2011

Faculty-Led Student-LedSubmitted(funds requested)

51 ($106,000)

23 ($51,800)

31 ($38,750)

Supported(funding rate)

17 (33%)

16 (69%)

16(52%)

Total faculty 19 16 16Total students 70 45 17

Program cost $37,000 $30,700 $10,900$41,600

Expected outcomes• For faculty:

• Supports tenure and promotion by increasing productivity in research (journal submissions, grant proposals)

• For students:• Improves quality of student experience• Improves GPAs and admission into competitive graduate

programs• Affords participation in national and international conferences

• For institution:• Enhances QC’s reputation• Increases number of undergraduates staying at Queens for

graduate work• Improves retention and graduation