The High Point UniversityUndergraduate Research and

Creative Works Program

To engage students in scholarly, inventive, and imaginative experiences that not only bring academics to life, but which also

stimulate curiosity, promote the development of new competencies, foster critical and creative thinking, and provide students with

privileged opportunities to add to the sum of human knowledge.

URCW Committee Presentation to the Faculty

Faculty Seminars, August 17, 2011

Current and Former Members of the URCW Committee

Dr. Jana Spain, Professor of Psychology (chair)

Dr. Jeffrey Adams, Assistant VP for Institutional Effectiveness (ex-officio)

Mr. David Bryden, Director of Library Services

Dr. William Carpenter, Associate Professor of English

Ms. Karen Coffman, Assistant Professor of Information Systems

Dr. Linda Curtis, Associate Professor of Biology

Dr. Deborah Danzis, Associate Professor of Psychology

Dr. Chris Fowler, Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Dr. Terrell Hayes, Associate Professor of Sociology

Dr. William Hightower, Professor of Mathematics and Computer Sciences

Dr. Judy Isaksen, Associate Professor of Communication

Dr. Dustin Johnson, Assistant Professor of Education

Dr. Ann Little, Assistant Professor of Marketing

Dr. Emily Nekl, Assistant Professor of Biology

Dr. Kelly Norton, Director of Experiential Learning (ex-officio)

Dr. Ed Piacentino, Professor of English

Dr. Kim Reich, Assistant Professor of Exercise Science

Mr. Roger Shore, Associate Professor of Mathematics

Ms. Ami Shupe, Associate Professor of Theatre

Dr. Aaron Titus, Associate Professor of Physics

The HPU Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

• The goal of the QEP was to “enhance overall institutional quality and

effectiveness by focusing on an issue or issues the institution considers important to improving student learning” (Handbook for Reaffirmation of Accreditation, p. 21).

• HPU’s focus: – Enhancement of experiential

learning opportunities for

students

Four Components of Experiential Learning

• Civic Engagement

• Study Abroad

• Internships

• Collaborative Inquiry – (now Undergraduate Research and Creative Works)

The Collaborative Inquiry (CI) Component

• Expected to build on

existing experiences• Envisioned as following

an apprenticeship or

mentoring model• Students would “work closely with a faculty

member or other students on a well-defined project suitable for publication, presentation, or performance”(Handbook for Reaffirmation of Accreditation, p. 29).

Undergraduate Research and Creative Works

• An individualized experience involving an inquiry, investigation, or creation produced by an undergraduate student– Mentored by a faculty member

• On a project initiated and designed by the student• As part of a collaborative research or creative team• On a project initiated by the faculty member

– Designed to reach beyond the traditional curriculum– Should achieve pre-identified learning objectives– Designed to lead to a final product

• Potential to make an original contribution to the discipline

The HPU Undergraduate Research and Creative Works Program

• Through this program, it is expected that students will:– Develop and apply advanced discipline-

specific knowledge– Develop critical thinking skills– Learn to formulate and clarify ideas– Learn to set and achieve measureable goals– Strengthen their communication skills– Acquire and practice career-relevant skills

Benefits for Students, Faculty, and the Institution

• Students– Clarification of career goals– Secure grants and summer research fellowships– Enhance competitiveness for grad. school/employment

• Faculty– Interactive teaching process– Greater awareness of the impact you have on student learning– Increased awareness of new developments in your field– Potential for increased productivity

• Institution– Enhancement of academic reputation– Recruitment/retention of students & faculty– Increased student and faculty engagement

Enrollment and Credit

• Students may enroll in a graded URCW course – Is elective (not required of all students)– Is intended primarily for majors– Is offered at the 4000 level (but open

to others)

– Carries 1-4 hours of academic credit• Counts either toward the major or general elective hours• 1 or 2 hours to “learn the ropes”• 3 or 4 hours to complete/present final project

– Can be repeated for credit

Enrollment and Credit

Student Application & Enrollment ProcessUnder development

In interim, use your department’s current enrollment procedure (for departments with an existing course) or use the university process for an Independent Study

Syllabus TemplateCurrently available at urcw.highpoint.edu

Undergraduate Research Conferences

• National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)

• March 29-31, 2012, Weber State University, Utah

• Call for abstracts Oct. 3-Nov. 15, 2011

• State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium (SNCURCS)

• November 19, 2011, East Carolina University

• Deadline for submissions Oct. 3, 2011

• Big South Undergraduate Research Symposium (BigSURS)

Travel Grants and Grants-in-Aid

Guidelines and Application Form available aturcw.highpoint.edu

Spring, 2011Supported 60+ students and faculty mentors

The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR)

HPU’s Enhanced MembershipIncludes membership for all HPU students, faculty, and staff

Membership benefits include:Electronic subscription to CUR QuarterlyDiscounted CUR Conference and Institute registrationAccess to CUR Listserv and other sources of info. about URCWStudent researcher registry

To join, go to:urcw.highpoint.edu

The HPU Undergraduate Research and Creative Works Program