Centralization of Undergraduate Research Benefits Students

As part of the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), Kent State University’s Division of Research and Graduate Studies (RAGS) will soon be exploring ways to facilitate interactions among undergraduate research programs.

In the past, undergraduate research programs were not only physically dispersed throughout campus, but were also individually responsible for many administrative tasks. As a result of this decentralized structure, very little communication and collaboration took place among undergraduate research programs.

A new centralized structure under RAGS, however, could serve to both facilitate interaction among current undergraduate research programs as well as to streamline the process by which new undergraduate research programs are initiated.

The centralization of undergraduate research programs could also permit the full implementation of a new undergraduate research initiative: The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program.

According to Dr. Joseph D. Ortiz, associate professor of geology and co-chair of the AQIP Undergraduate Research Action Committee, The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program is an initiative sponsored by RAGS and administered by the University Research Council. Primarily, it will give undergraduate researchers and their respective faculty mentors the opportunity to compete for modest research grants.

“The goal of The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program is to encourage undergraduate students to actively pursue complex scholarly and creative activities that they might have otherwise overlooked due to a lack of resources,” says Ortiz. “Research grants are particularly important because time spent by students on undergraduate research is time away from other income-generating endeavors.”

Consequently, The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program is an example of how the university is actively utilizing AQIP. Through the AQIP process, units on campus develop and implement strategic initiatives, intended to foster significant improvements over time.

“Our hope with centralization is to provide students with the resources they need to successfully perform undergraduate research, ultimately improving their critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities.” says Ortiz. “This will not only provide students with countless academic opportunities, but will also strengthen their ties to Kent State.”

Although The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program is still evolving and will take some time to fully implement, it is, nevertheless, an important example of how an AQIP action project can benefit the university and its students. It is also a shining example of the importance of centralization.

“To reach full potential in the area of undergraduate research, additional resources will be required,” says Ortiz. “As such, we soon hope to establish an endowment to further support these activities.”

In the future, individual undergraduate research programs will continue to physically reside at various locations throughout campus. RAGS, however, will likely serve as the primary administrative center for all of the university’s undergraduate research programs.

“Undergraduate research is just one example of how a student can get a top quality education at an institution that provides exceptional opportunities,” says Ortiz. “Improving its structure and streamlining its processes will translate into an improvement in Kent State’s reputation and an enhancement of our graduates’ abilities.”