CUR’s Social Sciences Division has selected Marsha Walton (professor of psychology, Rhodes College) as the 2020 recipient of its Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research in the Social Sciences Award. Dr. Walton earned her BA in psychology with honors and her PhD in developmental psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research interests focus on the moral and social development of children. She has mentored more than 50 undergraduate researchers and coauthored more than 12 publications with students, and her mentees have presented their work at numerous conferences.
The award honors outstanding mentors of undergraduate research in the social sciences for their role in supporting, encouraging, and promoting a positive and inclusive scholarly and teaching environment, and for contributions to professional and personal development of undergraduates within or outside their research or degree programs. Awardees receive a $100 stipend.
Founded in 1978, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) focuses on providing high-quality and collaborative undergraduate research, scholarly, and creative activity. Among the many activities and networking opportunities that CUR provides, the organization also offers support for the professional growth of faculty and administrators through expert-designed institutes, conferences, and a wide-range of volunteer positions. The CUR community, made up of nearly 700 institutions and 13,000 individuals, continues to provide a platform for discussion and other resources related to mentoring, connecting, and creating relationships centered around undergraduate research. CUR’s advocacy efforts are also a large portion of its work as they strive to strengthen support for undergraduate research. Its continued growth in connections with representatives, private foundations, government agencies, and campuses world-wide provides value to its members and gives voice to undergraduate research. CUR is committed to inclusivity and diversity in all of its activities and our community.
CUR focuses on giving a voice to undergraduate research with learning through doing. It provides connections to a multitude of campuses and government agencies, all while promoting networking and professional growth to its community.