OUR continues Summer Scholar program, seeking applicants by March 1 deadline
Mississippi University for Women’s Office of Undergraduate Research invites students to apply for its annual Summer Scholar program by the March 1 deadline.
The program provides students with a unique opportunity to work closely with a dedicated faculty mentor over the summer term, exploring a topic of interest while earning course credit and a scholarship that covers tuition, housing and meals.
Students formulate an independent research project and carry out the research. There are two options, a five-week and 10-week period, for the length of the project.
At the conclusion of the project, the student will be invited to share their findings with a public audience, either at an off-campus venue or during the Undergraduate Research Conference held on campus.
“In 2023, I worked closely with a student, Alyssa Vernon, who embarked on a research journey for five weeks. She culminated her work with an annotated bibliography, a research poster and a library exhibit. The dedicated summer funding allowed her to immerse fully in her project. I particularly liked the opportunities that the Office of Undergraduate Research provided her and her cohort to socialize and learn together,” said Dr. Reyna Vergara, assistant professor of Spanish and one of the coordinators of this year’s program.
There is no set area of research, instead, scholars choose a focus based on their major. Some previous areas of study include music therapy, marine biology, bioinformatics, historical inquiry, psychology, English, nursing and Spanish, to name a few.
Interested students are urged to speak with a faculty mentor who can help refine their ideas and guide them through the application process.
The role of faculty members in this process is crucial to help identify students who have demonstrated interest in research. Faculty are encouraged to reach out and discuss this opportunity with their students and become an adviser.
“Students can sometimes be intimidated by the idea of a research project or not know where to start. We strongly encourage faculty to initiate conversations with students, helping them refine possible project ideas and draft proposals,” said Dr. Travis Hagey, associate professor of biology and another coordinator of this year’s program.
The application should include a concise, one-page proposal outlining the goals the student hopes to achieve during their five- or 10-week summer project, as well as a letter from a faculty member affirming their commitment to mentor them throughout the term.
For more details about the program and to view past projects, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Research website at muw.edu/our/summer. Additional questions can be addressed via email at thagey@muw.edu or revergara@muw.edu.