A new institute of undergraduate research and scholarship is now taking shape under the directorship of the School of Humanities, Arts and Sciences. St. Catherine University (SCU) is committed to fostering and sustaining a campus-wide culture of student-faculty undergraduate research. SCU seeks to expand its current faculty-student research opportunities, and provide new opportunities in collaborative research across all disciplines, including those with little or no history of student-faculty scholarship.
According to Kerry Karukstis, President of the Council on Undergraduate Research, undergraduate students engaged in research are more likely to pursue higher degrees and be successful in research-based pursuits. Students gain critical thinking and analytical skills, an ability to reflect on and address intellectually challenging problems, increased confidence and personal initiative, improved communication skills, and increased engagement in intellectual activities. While promoting academic excellence, collaborative research also enhances retention of student participants, especially underrepresented, first-generation, and low-achieving students.
In addition to the new institute of undergraduate research and scholarship, St. Kate's offers opportunities for faculty-student collaborative research and mentoring through the Assistantship Mentoring Program and through department and grant-funded initiatives.
Undergraduate students seeking research opportunities should contact ORSP, their department chair/advisor, or Dr. Lynda Szymanski, for additional information.