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Vice Chancellor Carter-Chapman honors Francisco Miranda for mentoring Research Fulbright winner Cassie Iutzi-Mitchell. |
Faculty mentors play an important role in the undergraduate research process by assisting students in making the transition from classroom learning to real world applications. It can also be very valuable for researchers to contribute to students’ development and their confidence to pursue a successful career. In addition, close interaction between students, faculty, and other research personnel exposes students to research processes, methodologies, and to higher levels of learning.
Advice for Faculty Mentors
- Help the student find a good research question: the question should be manageable so the project can be completed, but not so narrow that it bores the student. For students having difficulty finding a question, it may help to think about topics that advance their career goals.
- Don't micromanage: pose questions, suggest readings and offer alternative arguments, but let the student do the research and write the thesis.
- Remember that this is an undergraduate student, not a master's or Ph.D. candidate: set realistic expectations and help the student learn about doing research in their discipline.
- Help the student to set thesis timetables, and tell them what arrangements you want to make for meetings, drafts and deadlines. Missing deadlines can be a warning sign. Watch for students who go AWOL--sometimes students will decide not to continue with a thesis but don't inform you, or may disappear for weeks without explanation. You may want to nudge them with an email.
- If a student makes unreasonable demands, explain what you are willing to do. Students who expect that you will assign a thesis topic, assign readings, or tell him/her exactly how to research their topic need to be told that this is not your role. Make your expectations reasonable and clear from the start.
- If you are the second reader, allow the primary mentor to take the lead.
Excerpted from: Lipson, Charles. How to Write a BA Thesis. University of Chicago Press, 2005.
Faculty members can recommend their best students through departmental nomination for the UAA Discovery Award. The UAA Discovery Award is a $1000 cash prize awarded annually to one undergraduate student who has displayed excellence in overall academic achievement that must include exceptional work in research or creative activities. Learn more about the online nomination process.
UAA faculty can advertise opportunities for undergraduate researchers on the OURS web site. Faculty members wishing to post an opportunity should complete the Undergraduate Research Assistant Request Form.
