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Undergraduate research is well recognized as an effective high-impact educational practice associated with student success in higher education. Actively engaging students in research experiences is considered as one of the several high-impact practices by many agencies including the American Chemical Society. Developing and maintaining an active undergraduate research program benefits both the faculty and students especially those from under-represented minority groups (URM). The infusion of research experiences into undergraduate curriculum enables students from all backgrounds to develop independent critical thinking skills, written and oral communications skills that are very important for successful careers in “STEM” area. Several strategies and activities such as a Peer Mentoring Program (PMP), funded research activities, the infusion of research into organic chemistry labs, undergraduate professional development, research group meetings, presentations at regional/national conferences, and publishing as co-authors on peer-review papers are vital in creating a welcoming research group that promotes the diversity, equity, and inclusion in organic chemistry education. The experiences working on funded research projects, presenting their research data at conferences and publishing papers as co-authors will greatly increase the under-represented minority (URM) students’ chance in landing a job or getting admitted into graduate/professional programs in STEM area.
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Maintaining a high degree of research productivity at a predominately undergraduate institution as your career advances
Abstract In this perspective, two experienced academic administrators who are computational chemists discuss strategies for how to maintain an active research program at a predominately undergraduate institution as your career progresses. More responsibility equates to less time for research, so planning for research to remain a priority is essential. We all have the same amount of time, so figuring out how to use yours better is the key to remaining active. Professional organizations such as Council on Undergraduate Research, consortia of computational chemists such as Molecular Education and Research Consortium in computational chemistRY and Midwest Undergraduate Computational Chemistry Consortium, and attendance at professional conferences can help sustain your research program. Collaborations with faculty at other institutions provide a particularly effective accountability mechanism as well. Perhaps the best way to improve your productivity is to become a better mentor to your undergraduate students. Building a research group that is fun and exciting develops a culture that sustains itself and provides the momentum necessary to maintain progress toward scientific goals.
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- PAR ID:
- 10378525
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- International Journal of Quantum Chemistry
- Volume:
- 120
- Issue:
- 20
- ISSN:
- 0020-7608
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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