CUR’s volunteers come together to aid the work of CUR and support the overall mission of the organization by carrying out specific charges that are necessary to the operation of the organization. Committee membership is a great way for CUR members to share their passion and expertise, build professional networks, gain leadership experience, and help shape the organization.
Standing Committees
These committees are constitutionally mandated by the CUR Constitution and Bylaws. They include the following:
The Executive Committee consists of the Officers of CUR. The Executive Committee shall have full authority to manage and control the business and affairs of CUR between meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have the authority and power to act for and on behalf of the Board of Directors in all matters, and at all times subject to the direction and control of the Board of Directors.
Committee Members: Lindsay Currie, Karen Havholm, Maria Iaccullo-Bird, Ruth Palmer, Bethany Usher
The purpose is to provide guidance and support to the CUR’s Board of Directors to help ensure the financial health of the organization, and assist the board in achieving CUR’s strategic. priorities by monitoring the financial condition and financial strategy of the organization.
National Office Staff Liaison: Pam Dodge
Committee Chair: Karen Havholm, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
Committee Members: Lance Barton, Winny Dong, Sarah Johnson
In partnership with the staff, the Nominations and Leadership Development Committee is an essential part of the CUR governance process and serves as a year-round committee with responsibilities that include:
- Working with CUR leadership and staff to assess the qualities, skills, and diversity needed in Board leadership in each election cycle.
- Identify and recruit top-tier candidates.
- Engage in a fair and transparent process of vetting those candidates to put forward a qualified and strong slate.
- Oversee the process of leader selection/election
National Office Staff Liaison: Austen Gage
Committee Chair: Ruth J. Palmer
Committee Members: Pratanu Ghosh, Dana Jackson-Hardwick, Mary E. Konkle, Susan J. Larson, Mark D. Marshall, Emily Nell Smith
CUR-Wide Committees
These committees are established by the Board of Directors and deemed necessary to the ongoing work of CUR. They include the following:
The purpose of this committee is to communicate and advocate for the vision and mission of CUR to partners and representatives to strengthen shared commitments to the value of undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry.
National Office Staff Liaison: Heather Wakefield
Committee Co-Chairs: Virginia Peterson, Grand Valley State University & Della Cronin, Bose Public Affairs Group
The purpose of this committee is to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within CUR and among members, encompassing diversity in all its dimensions: race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and others. The committee articulates the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within CUR’s goals and guides us to an organizational culture that is strengthened by multiple opinions and perspectives. The committee collaborates across all levels of the organization to promote the goals of DEI among the CUR community.
National Office Staff Liaison: Heather Wakefield
Committee Chair: Ronda Henry, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
The purpose of this committee is to develop a standard review approach aligned with CUR values and COUER. In addition, the committee identifies and trains reviewers in order to provide a high-quality and consistent experience.
National Office Staff Liaison: Heather Wakefield
Committee Chair: Michael Springer, University of Central Oklahoma
Award Committees
These committees are established to solicit and review applications for CUR awards and remain anonymous to allow for a fair and ethical process. They include the following:
The purpose of this committee is to solicit nominations and select the awardees.
The purpose of this committee is to review applications and prepare a recommendation for consideration for approval by the Executive Committee of the Executive Board.
The purpose of this committee is to review applications and prepare a recommendation for consideration for approval by the Executive Committee of the Executive Board.
This committee works in collaboration with the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation and the CUR National Office to solicit nominations, reviews, and select awardees.
The Silvia Ronco Innovative Mentor Award was established to recognize original and insightful research work by a young investigator working with undergraduates that has had significant impact in chemistry and the STEM careers of students involved.
Content & Programming Committees and Advisory Groups
These committees are established to help support CUR as it develops content and programming. These committees include the following:
The purpose of this committee is to ensure the annual conference supports professional development, learning, and networking objectives, and aligns with CUR’s strategic plan and values. This advisory group will guide development of themes and tracks and identify topics and speakers for the CUR Annual Conference that are suited to the needs of the undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry (URSCI) community.
National Office Staff Liaison: Heather Wakefield
Committee Chair: Joseph Reczek, Denison University
Leverage the practice of Foresight and work collaboratively with the National Office and CUR’s Board of Directors to define the community’s anticipated needs, including determining future content development and connecting with potential subject matter experts.
This advisory group will help CUR navigate change and prepare for the future by monitoring trends, issues, and patterns of change that can guide decisions and behaviors.
In addition, this advisory group will work with the National Office and Board of Director’s Executive Committee to guide and educate CUR on leveraging foresight as it looks to the future.
Committee Chair: Karen Resendes, Westminster College
The purpose is to ensure the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) offers a unique environment for the celebration and promotion of undergraduate research student achievement; provides models of exemplary research, scholarship, and creative activity; and offers student career readiness development. Committee members also serve as ambassadors to engage divisions, campuses, and the wider community to make NCUR the premiere student centered undergraduate research conference.
National Office Staff Liaison: Heather Wakefield
Executive Board Liaison: Ruth Palmer
Committee Chair: Amy Buddie, Kennesaw State University
The group will guide the rapid advancement of the Undergraduate Research as a Career Readiness Tool position statement document within the national higher education conversation on career readiness.