Illinois State University Team Selected for National Undergraduate Research Program
Normal, IL – An Illinois State University (ISU) team, led by Dr. Gina Hunter, has been selected to participate in the prestigious Scholars Transforming Through Research (STR) Program by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) for 2024-25. This elite program, which aims to enhance undergraduate research advocacy and communication, has chosen only 63 teams from across the nation this year.
Dr. Hunter’s team, which includes undergraduate students Brenna Long and Tara Geyer, will engage in training designed to help participants distill complex research into accessible language while highlighting the societal impact of their work. As CUR Advocacy Ambassadors, the team will work to communicate the importance of research in addressing pressing real-world challenges, connecting with policymakers, funding agencies, and media.
A key component of the STR Program involves a multi-month commitment culminating in a trip to Washington, D.C., where the team will meet with elected officials and their staff to advocate for the value of undergraduate research. To facilitate this travel, the team has launched a Hatch campaign to raise necessary funds. Supporters can contribute to their efforts through the provided Hatch campaign link.
Participation in this program not only showcases the dedication of Dr. Hunter and her students to advancing undergraduate research but also highlights the university’s commitment to fostering public scholarship. For more information about the STR Program and a complete list of participants, interested individuals can visit CUR’s STR Program page and view the official announcement for 2024 participants.
This recognition marks a significant achievement for ISU, reinforcing its status as a leader in promoting undergraduate research at the national level.
Source
Photo credit news.illinoisstate.edu