University Announces Office of Undergraduate Research

Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice sent the following email to the UMD community:

Dear campus community,

As we continue our work to reimagine learning as part of our strategic plan, we are focused on implementing innovative programs that provide our students with new opportunities throughout their educational journey. I'm pleased to announce the latest step forward in this work with the establishment of the Office of Undergraduate Research. The office will collaborate with students, faculty and staff across departments to broaden the culture and community around undergraduate research and scholarly activities campuswide.

Decades of scholarship underscores the profound impact of mentored research experiences as a mode of teaching, learning and student success. Students who engage in research with faculty gain substantial experience in problem-solving abilities, report greater satisfaction with their overall academic journey and are more likely to pursue advanced studies. Through the Office of Undergraduate Research, we aim to strengthen and expand research opportunities by advancing equitable and inclusive access for students of all backgrounds and levels of experience.

Led by Director Patrick/Patricia Killion, the Office of Undergraduate Research will spearhead new ways to support and connect faculty members, academic units and existing programs for research engagement, including:

• Developing new systems for promoting research opportunities and improving communication between faculty and students;
• Offering consultation and partnership resources to help campus partners sustain successful course-based research experiences for students; and
• Launching new multidisciplinary campus-based events for faculty and students to interact, partner and disseminate research outcomes.

The office will also provide a range of resources and programs to help all undergraduates start or advance their research experience. These will include individualized in-person meetings, campus-based and virtual seminars, Canvas-based modules and courses, and other resources that will help students identify, pursue and succeed in research opportunities on campus and beyond. The office will also oversee the existing First-Year Innovation & Research Experience (FIRE) and a large-scale summer research internship program available to all UMD undergraduate students.

I look forward to seeing the impact of this new office as we work to reimagine the undergraduate research experience at UMD.

Sincerely,