More Articles in this Issue
- ‐ Neethu Pavithran, Redwan Haque, Neha Dhanvanthry, Ankush Sharma, Arjun Singh, Chun Ju Liang, Radha Sharma, Stephanie Nagy, Harrison Nelson, Soumya Shastri, Saameh A. Siddique, Vedish Soni, Chitrini Tandon, Molly H .R. Cowls, Alessandra Cutrone, Ayomide Fakuade, Varnikaa Gupta, Halton Quach, Jessica B. Saini, and Jeremy Y. Ng
SPUR (2022) 6 (1): https://doi.org/10.18833/spur/6/1/2 Abstract:The Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal was founded in 2017 and currently serves as a leading publisher of undergraduate research spanning broad and multidisciplinary fields. Unique to most undergraduate journals, the URNCST Journal publishes abstracts for undergraduate conferences and case competitions and promotes innovative undergraduate research education initiatives. The present article summarizes the contributions, opportunities, and achievements of the journal since its inception.
- ‐ Mindy Capaldi, Kristi Bugajski, Bonnie Dahlke Goebbert, Michael Watters, and Michael Slattery
SPUR (2022) 6 (1): https://doi.org/10.18833/spur/6/1/1 Abstract:Student retention is important to any university, especially keeping commuter students who are traditionally less anchored in campus life. Even more at risk, given the leaky STEM pipeline, are STEM commuter students. In 2016, Valparaiso University launched the Establishing Practices Integrating Commuter Students (EPIC) program, centered around engaging students in undergraduate research. Students participate in a research laboratory for their four academic years, and take part in one summer of funded research. This program has achieved its goal of providing scholarships, research opportunities, and cohort support to over 30 commuter and residential students while preparing them for research-oriented careers. This article shares successes and lessons learned, along with data demonstrating the program’s impact on broadening participation in STEM and increasing retention.
