Imagine if part of the college experience were to include working with a professor to track mercury in the oceans, test new materials for the Air Force with a high powered laser system, or learn how communication between our cells is disrupted by viral pathogens. The positive impact that undergraduate research has on students' success during their academic careers has been known for quite some time.
CoSM has identified the expansion of undergraduate research opportunities as a key college-wide outcome. More than fifty CoSM students are currently seeking an undergraduate research experience and CoSM faculty are eager to respond. Research shows students who perform undergraduate research with a faculty mentor have higher grades, have higher degree completion and, have success in developing career paths.
CoSM students and CoSM faculty both face a financial obstacle in the desired expansion of undergraduate research opportunities. Thankfully, the obstacles can be simultaneously addressed via a shared solution.
A large percentage of CoSM students work to pay for living and educational expenses while pursuing their studies. Many students “pay the bills” with employment that has no direct linkage to their desired professional career path. This juggle of classwork and employment doesn’t allow these students to pursue volunteer or unpaid research opportunities. CoSM can address this student-centered reality with the provision of paid undergraduate research opportunities. Doing so will enhance CoSM student success.
Historically CoSM faculty have paid for undergraduate research via the incorporation of support salaries within successfully funded research grants. Governmental funding for research has greatly declined over the last twenty-five years. This faculty-centered reality will likely continue for the foreseeable future and has created greater competition for a shrinking pool of available support.
The shared solution lies in securing private support to fund CoSM undergraduate research opportunities. Financial support from CoSM alumni, friends and corporate partners will directly impact CoSM student success and equip CoSM faculty to expand upon their long-standing history of successfully mentoring CoSM students.
If you would like to learn more about how you can support CoSM undergraduate research please contact Chris Adkins-Lamb at 937-775-4980 or Christopher.adkins-lamb@wright.edu. Additional financial detail on semester-long or summer-long undergraduate research can be found in this newsletter.
