Engaging the Council on Undergraduate Research to Promote Professional Science Masters (PSM)

1. Engaging the Council on Undergraduate Research to Promote Professional Science Masters (PSM) Elizabeth Ambos Executive Officer Council on Undergraduate Research NPSMA Biennial Conference November 15, 2013

2. My Story www.cur.org

3. Key Questions What is the Council on Undergraduate Research? What does it do? What is the evidence that undergraduate research is a highly effective practice in student success, particularly for students from underrepresented groups in STEM? How can we foster clear pathways from undergraduate research experiences to PSM degree programs? www.cur.org

4. Council on Undergraduate Research The mission of CUR is to support and promote high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship. • A national organization of individual (>9,200) and institutional (>670) members representing all disciplines and over 900 institutions of all types. • Tendiscipline-based divisions: Arts & Humanities, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Geosciences, Health Sciences, Mathematics & Computer Science, Physics & Astronomy, Psychology, and Social Sciences. • Two multidisciplinary, administrative-based divisions:At-Large and Undergraduate Research Program Directors.

5. Undergraduate Research is Proliferating

6. CUR Disciplinary Membership Patterns Exhibit Broadening of Undergraduate Research’s Appeal

7. CUR ResourcesTo promote and support undergraduate student-faculty research and scholarship MEETINGS National Faculty Conferences National Conference on Undergraduate Research CUR Dialogues Institutes & Workshops Posters on the Hill SERVICES Consulting Service Mentor Network Grant Preview Service CUR Fellows Awards Listservs Advocacy PUBLICATIONS CUR Quarterly“How To” Series Specialized Volumes

8. Key Questions What is the Council on Undergraduate Research? What does it do? What is the evidence that undergraduate research is a highly effective practice in student success, particularly for students from underrepresented groups in STEM? How can we foster clear pathways from undergraduate research experiences to PSM degree programs? www.cur.org

9. From the foreword to David Lopatto’s publication- “Science in Solution: The Impact of Undergraduate Research on Student Learning” “While undergraduate research has been fostered in somewhat elite institutions, without his quite saying so, Lopatto’sfindings leave this reader, at least, with a strong sense that an undergraduate research experience could be the cross-class leveler we’ve been searching for; one that provides the first-generation college student with some of the critical and self-critical habits of mind that more privileged young men and women bring with themselves to college. “ Sheila Tobias www.cur.org

10. Benefits to Students: UGR… • Advances cognitive, intellectual, and personal growth • Gain knowledge and skills, and experience how new knowledge is gained • Promotes academic achievement and educational attainment • Fosters professional growth and advancement • Facilitates transition to graduate school

11. Undergraduate Research Contributes More Than Any Other Intervention… and Mentorship Matters • The Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) at University of California Los Angeles studies the impact of undergraduate research • Kevin Eagen and his colleagues have analyzed data from more than 60,000 students at more than 300 institutions • Undergraduate research associated with 10-20% increase in STEM persistence www.cur.org

12. Highest Impacts of Undergraduate Research:Students from Underrepresented Groups Undergraduate Research Students at CSU Dominguez Hills www.cur.org

13. California State University Data Demonstrate HIP Effectiveness 0 HIP 3+ HIP Six-year graduation rates Source: B. Huber, CSU Northridge Institutional Research

14. Confirmation that UGR HIPs Help Underrepresented Groups Retain and Graduate “This article evaluates the impact of a program promoting student-faculty research partnerships on college student retention. The program, built on the premise that successful retention efforts integrate students into the core academic mission of the university, targets first-year and sophomore undergraduates. Findings of a participant-control group design show that the research partnerships are most effective in promoting the retention of students at greater risk for college attrition - African American students and students with low GPAs." Nagda et al., 1998

15. President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Undergraduate Research:A Right Not a Privilege PCAST Recommendation: Advocate and provide support for replacing standard laboratory courses with discovery-based research courses.* *From: PCAST Report: “Engage to Excel”, released February 27, 2012

16. Discussion #1 • In pairs (or small groups) consider the following questions: • Assuming that you are planning to continue (and grow) recruitment of students for your PSM(s), what strategies are you using to recruit students from your campus? • Are there specific strategies you are using to attract students from STEM underrepresented groups? www.cur.org

17. PSM Promising Practices • The CGS study released in February 2013 highlighted the fact that close to 50% of PSM degree recipients are female, and among U.S. citizens/permanent residents 23% from underrepresented groups • Strausbaugh et al. (2011) provide a good case study of domestic student recruitment at University of Connecticut www.cur.org

18. Key Questions What is the Council on Undergraduate Research? What does it do? What is the evidence that undergraduate research is a highly effective practice in student success, particularly for students from underrepresented groups in STEM? How can we foster clear pathways from undergraduate research experiences to PSM degree programs? www.cur.org

19. Strongly agree with this statement about employees/future hires Somewhat agree Consensus among employers is that innovation, critical thinking, and a broad skill set are important for taking on complex challenges in the workplace.* Our company puts a priority on hiring people with the intellectual and inter-personal skills that will help them contribute to innovation in the workplace Candidates’ demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, & solve complex problems is more important than their undergraduate major Our company is asking employees to take on more responsibilities and to use a broader set of skills than in the past Innovation is essential to our company/organization’s continued success The challenges employees face within our company are more complex today than they were in the past 95% 93% 93% 92% 91% * "It Takes More Than a Major”, AACU, 4/2013

20. Connecting UGR and PSM • Stage 1: Building Awareness • Stage 2: Creating programmatic connections between UGR and PSM www.cur.org

21. “Ice Breaker” Webinar • Joint CUR-NPSMA webinar October 9th • Joaquin Carbonara and Marilyn Wells spoke • Attracted 70 participants • About 20% NPSMA members, 80% CUR members • Most attendees from comprehensive universities • Many attendees were affiliated with undergraduate research centers www.cur.org

22. Discussion #2 • Again in pairs/small groups, discuss the following questions: • What offices/departments/faculty sponsor the most undergraduate research programs/students on your campus? • What would be some strategies you might use/are using to connect with these groups? www.cur.org

23. Action Steps: Building Pathways from Undergraduate Research to PSMs • Make an appointment with the centralized undergraduate research office on your campus • Specific CUR strategy: research members of CUR’s Undergraduate Research Program Directors’ Division • Connect PSM students with UGR students • Specific CUR strategy: have PSM students present at campus UGR celebration day After: Marilyn Wells/Joaquin Carbonara/Beth Ambos Joint CUR-NPSMA webinar, 10/9/2013 www.cur.org

24. Action Steps: Building Pathways from Undergraduate Research to PSMs • Connect CUR and NPSMA • Present a poster at the CUR Biennial Conference in Washington, DC • Join CUR, particularly if your institution is already an enhanced member (your membership is free) • Obtain access to CUR’s undergraduate research registry (free for enhanced members) • Recruit for students at NCUR, SCCUR, etc. After: Marilyn Wells/Joaquin Carbonara/Beth Ambos Joint CUR-NPSMA webinar, 10/9/2013 www.cur.org

25. Action Steps: Building Pathways from Undergraduate Research to PSMs After: Marilyn Wells/Joaquin Carbonara/Beth Ambos Joint CUR-NPSMA webinar, 10/9/2013 www.cur.org

26. Suggestions? How can CUR help? www.cur.org

27. The Council on Undergraduate Research would like to thank the National Science Foundation for its generous support and advocacy of Undergraduate Research. Some of the material presented in this presentation is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0920275. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Materials presented on some of the slides are from presentations made by principals associated with the above-referenced grant, including Mitch Malachowski (University of San Diego), Jeff Osborn (College of New Jersey), Kerry Karukstis (Harvey Mudd College)

28. References Cited Brownell, Jayne E. and Lynn E. Swaner. Five High-Impact Practices: Research on Learning Outcomes, Completion, and Quality. Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), 2010. Web. Crowe, M., and Brakke, D. Assessing the Impact of Undergraduate Research Experiences on Students: an Overview of the Current Literature, CUR Quarterly 28 (4), 43-50, 2008. Eagan, M.K., Hurtado, S., Chang, M.J., Garcia, G.A., Herrera, F.A., & Garibay, J.C. (2013). Making a difference in science education: The impact of undergraduate research programs. American Educational Research Journal, 50(4), 683-713. DOI: 10.3102/0002831213482038 Kuh, George D. High-Impact Educational Practices: What They Are, Who Has Access to Them, and Why They Matter for All Students. Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), 2008. Nagda, B.A.: Gregerman, S.R.; Jonides, J.; von Hippel, W.; and Lerner, J.S., Undergraduate Student-Faculty Research Partnerships Affect Student Retention, The Review of Higher Education, 22, 55-72, 1998.

29. For more information about CUR, please contact: Elizabeth L. Ambos (eambos@cur.org)