Leveraging Undergraduate Research Sheila Humphreys April 22, 2001

NAMEPA/WEPAN 01 UC Berkeley EECS Dept. Creating Synergy with Industrial Partners Shared vision for student development Defer gratification of immediate hire Enhancement of summer research by industry Creating new industry-based research programs for undergraduates

NAMEPA/WEPAN 01 UC Berkeley EECS Dept. Research Increases Retention: Why? Expands student’s personal vision Raises aspirations Humanizes competitive environment: I-Thou Creates new kinds of peer-peer interaction Personalizes faculty-student relationship outside classroom

NAMEPA/WEPAN 01 UC Berkeley EECS Dept. Research Affects Academic Performance Integrates theory and practice Exposes student to bigger picture Affirms aspirations Engages students in central university mission to create new knowledge Contextualizes the abstract

NAMEPA/WEPAN 01 UC Berkeley EECS Dept. Leveraging Undergraduate Research For the student Securing faculty sponsorship for graduate school Ensuring continuity of research “back home” Disseminating student results: Paper, web site, publication Providing continuing advice: Staying in touch

NAMEPA/WEPAN 01 UC Berkeley EECS Dept. Leveraging Undergraduate Research For the institution: Broadening faculty buy-in through education Tracking results Using student research experience for advocacy in grad admissions Adopting internal policy for admissions Acknowledgement of faculty mentors in promotions, rewards

NAMEPA/WEPAN 01 UC Berkeley EECS Dept. Sharing Insights NSF’s Internet community for REU sites NSF’s Engineering Directorate PI Meeting, 4/00 Sharing candidates with other programs Best Practices for evaluation, recruitment, ethics Other

NAMEPA/WEPAN 01 UC Berkeley EECS Dept. Graduate Mentor Evaluation Biggest Challenges Defining a project – scope & level Getting students up to speed Suggested Training Supervision of undergraduates Prior TA experience Most Rewarding Encouraging academic excellence Figuring level of “hand-holding” Coaching for final presentation