1. “People before Programs” Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
CEMITURE
“People before Programs”
Dr. Karelle Aiken & Dr. Ria Ramoutar
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Georgia Southern University
March 2017
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

2. CEMITURE: About Us CEMITURE
CollaborativE Multidisciplinary Investigations Through Undergraduate Research Experiences
Function
Internship program for STEM undergraduates
Eligibility
Open to all students across the US (8-internship positions)
Structure
10 weeks of intensive research and professional development experiences
Hosts:
Georgia Southern Chemistry & Biochemistry Department in collaboration with the Institute for Interdisciplinary STEM Education (i2STEMe)
Funding
National Science Foundation-Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program (NSF-REU) under their Chemistry Division (NSF-CHE )
State : Folded into host department’s on-going program for their own students

3. CEMITURE: Uniquely Positioned
NSF-REU Mission
Encourage STEM students in their self-identification as scientists & the pursuit of higher degrees Researchers & Innovators
CEMITURE’s Niche
Serve those who do not have research facilities on their own campus
Rural southeast
Underrepresented groups in STEM
Location, Location
Georgia Southern (GS)
Surrounding states
GS STEM Departments and research
Ghana Project
Success
“Win-win” for all
To-Do List
Good, productive research experiences
Disseminate results
Recruit, house & feed the scholars
Facilitate social activities to promote bonding
Assess outcomes
And more!!!!!
Success means “win, win” for all. Team, students faculty.
Disseminate results through conference presentations and publications
Provide for (women, minority races/ethnicities, first-generation);

4. People before Programs
CEMITURE: For Humans, run by Humans
Many facets BUT…….
People before Programs

5. Cultural Sensitivity Faculty and interns from various backgrounds
Engage students, interact with professionals and peers on a regular basis
Expectation: Students can conduct themselves professionally in another country
Culture shocks!!
Environment:
adapting to a new city in a developing country
US: Northern states vs Southern states
Communication: language, mannerisms, tone of voice, ‘politeness’
Food: taste, preparation, no fast food
Internet: slow or poor speed, unavailable at times (US)
Resolution
Added case study questions in Skype interview script to gauge response
Workshop or discussion to further educate students about the culture and environment in different countries and within the US

6. Research Faculty Lifestyles
Expectation: Faculty to be available for the entire 10 weeks of the program
Life happens!
Medical concerns: when the unexpected happens
Research mentor has to be away to take care of medical injuries/conditions (oneself or family member)
Scholastic development: learning never ends!
Mentor is away conducting research to broaden their research knowledge on a project
Vacation: much needed R&R
Research mentor has to be away (different state or country) for part of the program
Resolution
Faculty-student communication changes
Skype, phone,
Find colleagues willing to mentor on short notice
If informed ahead of time, find a faculty willing to be a CEMITURE mentor

7. CEMITURE: Execution & Structure
Year-round Preparation!
Recruitment (Core Team & Mentors)
Website and social media (Landge & Webmaster)
Arrange housing, meals & access to campus facilities/resources (Greer)
Schedule summer’s professional development activities, workshop hosts & social and professional outings (Landge)
Organize Ghana program & travel (Afriyie-Gyawu)
Shainaz Landge
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Evans Afriyie-Gyawu
Environmental Health Sciences
Kania A. Greer
i2STEMe
s, recruitment visits & advertisements targeting community and undergraduate institutions in the southeast (Core Team & Mentors)

8. CEMITURE: Execution & Structure
Develop a Script (Schedule)
Meetings = Agenda
Workshops & Outings for the summer (dates, time, locations, workshop presenters set by March/April)
Emergencies
Maintaining contact ( s, cell numbers, set dates for connecting pre-, mid- and post- program)
Dedicate two meetings for reflection (Assessment)
Manage the Non-Negotiables
Housing
Meals
Stipend
Budget
Safety-training

9. CEMITURE: Accomplishments
Teamwork:
One person can’t make the program
Different perspectives adds richness
Tap into people’s interests and allow then to run with it (as long as it’s negotiable)
Plug into existing resources ex. i2STEMe has contacts all over campus and the southeast
Reflect
At the very end of the program when ideas/thoughts are still fresh (July/August)
Get every participants perspective (team, students, faculty)
After each meeting (especially important for the director)
Come up with plans of action for the next round (jot them down)
Stay Flexible with the negotiables
We would like to conclude with our accomplishments
People first Sustainable