NIU Research Pathways for
Undergraduates
Louis Stokes Midwest Center of Excellence Conference
Chicago, IL  October 24-26, 2014
Julia Spears , Northern Illinois University
Fast Facts
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.
Enrollment
Undergraduate: 16,552
Graduate: 4984
College of Law: 333
Total: 21,869
Average Student Age
Undergraduate: 22
Male/Female Categories
Undergraduate:
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: 3.11
ACT Score for NIU
freshmen: 22
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 Practices
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First-Year Seminars & Experiences
Common Intellectual Experiences
Learning Communities
Writing-Intensive Courses
Collaborative Assignments & Projects
Undergraduate Research
Diversity/Global Learning
Service Learning, Community-Based
Learning
9. Internships
10. 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 Practices
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Necessitate considerable time and
effort to meaningful tasks
Require interaction with faculty and
peers about substantive matters
Often challenge students to critically
think and explore diversity in
personal ways
Offer ongoing, critical feedback
about performance
Provide the opportunity to
experience learning in the various
settings
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
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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
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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
Undergraduate Research Programs @NIU
Before 2009
After 2010
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USOAR (Provost Office)
URAP
(College of Liberal Arts and Sciences)
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Faculty Supported
Course Based
USOAR
URAP
Research Rookies
Undergraduate Research Assistantship
URAD and Summer Symposium
Summer Research OP
REU
McKearn Fellows
Undergraduate Travel Scholarship
Faculty Supported
Course Based
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Student Undergraduate
Research Assistantship (URA)
Expand Your Education
(EYE) Grant
USOAR
Capstone
Research Rookies
Promise Scholars Program
Independent Study
URAP
Travel Grant
REU
McKearn Fellows Program
Honors Summer Scholars
Faculty Undergraduate
Research Assistantship (URA)
Summer Research
Opportunities Program (SROP)
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.
Examples of Campus Partners
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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
Discussion
Julia Spears, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Provost for Engaged Learning
Director, Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning
[email protected]
815-761-5446
www.oseel.niu.edu
Annual Report
URPD 2015 – cur.org
THE 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!