Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavor Staff

Want to know more?

About Us

At UTC, the undergraduate student experience centers on inquiry, discovery and community. Students who participate in undergraduate research (UR) activities make significant contributions to society and acquire key transferable skills to successfully navigate the global world of work or advanced study.

The Office for Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavor (URaCE) is committed to broadening undergraduate research experiences for all students regardless of background, discipline, or year of study. Our programs and initiatives aim to foster a robust research culture that involves the entire UTC community, while also contributing to the local environs of Chattanooga, and creating dialogues with the wider global community.

Mission

The Office for Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavor supports and promotes transformative undergraduate research experiences for all students through deep engagement, community building and strategic partnerships.

Vision

Undergraduate Research for All

What is Undergraduate Research (UR)?

Undergraduate research represents a hands-on and highly engaging educational experience that fosters student success.

Research demonstrates that students who engage in High-Impact Practices such as undergraduate research, graduate on time, earn better grades, and are better prepared for the demands of post-graduate education and the world of work. Evidence-based research also indicates that engagement in HIP activities increase student persistence and retention.

Why Undergraduate Research?

Research demonstrates that students who engage in High-Impact Practices such as undergraduate research, graduate on time, earn better grades, and are better prepared for the demands of post-graduate education and the world of work. Evidence-based research also indicates that engagement in HIP activities increase student persistence and retention.

The Council for Undergraduate Research (CUR)* defines UR as: A mentored investigation or creative inquiry conducted by undergraduates that seeks to make a scholarly or artistic contribution to knowledge.

BENEFITS OF UR AS DEFINED BY CUR: Enhances student learning through mentoring relationships with faculty; Increases retention and graduation in academic programs; Increases enrollment in graduate education and provides effective career preparation; Develops critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, and intellectual independence; Develops an understanding of research methodology; Promotes an innovation-oriented culture; Develops competencies that speak to career-readiness. www.cur.org/

At UTC, students who engage in an undergraduate research project or creative activity: work under the direction of a mentor or mentors to acquire research and career skills, engage in scholarly discovery and /or creative inquiry, and make contributions to society through their research. Engaging in UR adds value to a UTC degree. UR Engagment helps students: Gain a competitive advantage for careers, and advanced study. Develop workforce and life skills. Network with faculty and other professionals. Become s

Undergraduate Research Programs Develop and expand opportunities for UTC undergraduates to engage in mentored research experiences at UTC, nationally, and internationally. Signature programs include the Cádiz International Research program, the Undergraduate Research Work-Study program, the Virtual International Undergraduate Research Internship experience, and the Undergraduate Research and Professional Development Learning Institute.

Training and Instruction Design and present workshops and seminars to engage students in all aspects of the research enterprise, and assist students with preparation for future careers, post-graduate education, and the work of work. Topics focus on identifying UR opportunities on and off campus, applying for NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) and graduate school, attending academic conferences, preparing for career success, and building an academic brand.

Identify, Publicize, and Track undergraduate research experiences, opportunities, and outcomes, and share information with the UTC community.

Collaborate Cultivate strategic partnerships with faculty, staff, and members of the local community to identify funding for UR experiences, develop innovative programming, and launch intentional educational experiences for undergraduates.

Outreach Educate, increase awareness of and a passion for research through student and faculty consultations, class visits to highlight the benefits of UR, and participation in student and family orientation and community events.

Promote the value of UTC student and faculty research and creative contributions through the administration of annual academic conferences and funding awards including the UTC Spring Research and Arts Conference, UTC Fall Research Conference, the SEARCH award, and student conference award.