Academic Innovation and Effectiveness

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES PROGRAM

WHAT IS THE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES PROGRAM?

The URCA Program at SIUe is a program that allows students to engage in a research project or creative endeavor under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

PURPOSE OF THE URCA PROGRAM

EncourageRecognizeSupportUndergraduate Research and Creative

Activities at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

HISTORY OF THE URCA PROGRAM

Began as the Undergraduate Research Academy at SIUE in 1990; original Academy had 33 Scholars

Total of 381 students have completed the program since then

Projects from 41 different majors and specialties

200 faculty have served as mentors

PARTICIPATION OPTIONS

URCA Assistant Works on faculty led research or creative activity

for approximately 8-10 hours each week

Gains introductory experience in a specific field

Minimum commitment of one semester

URCA Associate Leads an independent project with guidance from

a faculty mentor

Manages his/her own project budget

Project begins in the fall and ends in spring

URCA PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE:

URCA Assistants – Most receive:

$800 award per semester

URCA Associates – All receive:

$2000 award

$500 toward project expenses

$400 conference travel presentation

BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS

Opportunity to explore in-depth research or creative processes

Develop a close working relationship with faculty

Design and work on a project not available in courses

STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN:

Innovative research or creative activities

Discipline-specific problem-solving

Networking with students in various disciplines

Grant-writing experiences

Professional presentations

URCA IMPACT: GRADUATE SCHOOL

URCA Program helps applicants stand out

Actual lab, studio, and field experiences

Alumni have high rate of acceptance into 1st choice of graduate schools

Alumni often receive assistantships/ fellowships at graduate schools

URCA PROGRAM APPLICATION

URCA Assistants Students submit the online application directly to

faculty members, due early August and December See position postings at

http://www.siue.edu/urca/assistantcurrentprojects.shtml

Notification by the first day of the semester

URCA Associates Project proposals due at noon on the third Friday in

March Visit the following website for more information:

http://www.siue.edu/urca/prospective/apply.shtml Notification by the end of April

MY PROJECT

QUESTIONS?For More Information Contact:

Dr. Laura Pawlow, URCA Coordinator

lpawlow@siue.edu

Dr. Vicki Scott, Assistant Provost for Academic Innovation and Effectiveness

viscott@siue.edu

Kendra Fark, URCA Graduate Assistant

ktockst@siue.edu

http://www.siue.edu/urca/