1. Academic Innovation and Effectiveness U NDERGRADUATE R ESEARCH AND C REATIVE A CTIVITIES P ROGRAM

2. W HAT IS THE U NDERGRADUATE R ESEARCH AND C REATIVE A CTIVITIES P ROGRAM ?  The URCA Program at SIU e is a program that allows students to engage in a research project or creative endeavor under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

3. P URPOSE OF THE URCA P ROGRAM  Encourage  Recognize  Support Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

4. H ISTORY OF THE URCA P ROGRAM  Began as the Undergraduate Research Academy at SIUE in 1990; original Academy had 33 Scholars  Total of 381 students have completed the program since then  Projects from 41 different majors and specialties  200 faculty have served as mentors

5. P ARTICIPATION O PTIONS  URCA Assistant  Works on faculty led research or creative activity for approximately 8-10 hours each week  Gains introductory experience in a specific field  Minimum commitment of one semester  URCA Associate  Leads an independent project with guidance from a faculty mentor  Manages his/her own project budget  Project begins in the fall and ends in spring

6. URCA P ARTICIPANTS R ECEIVE :  URCA Assistants – Most receive:  $800 award per semester  URCA Associates – All receive:  $2000 award  $500 toward project expenses  $400 conference travel presentation

7. B ENEFITS FOR S TUDENTS  Opportunity to explore in-depth research or creative processes  Develop a close working relationship with faculty  Design and work on a project not available in courses

8. S TUDENTS P ARTICIPATE IN :  Innovative research or creative activities  Discipline-specific problem-solving  Networking with students in various disciplines  Grant-writing experiences  Professional presentations

9. URCA I MPACT : G RADUATE S CHOOL  URCA Program helps applicants stand out  Actual lab, studio, and field experiences  Alumni have high rate of acceptance into 1st choice of graduate schools  Alumni often receive assistantships/ fellowships at graduate schools

10. URCA P ROGRAM A PPLICATION  URCA Assistants  Students submit the online application directly to faculty members, due early August and December  See position postings at http://www.siue.edu/urca/assistantcurrentprojects.shtml http://www.siue.edu/urca/assistantcurrentprojects.shtml  Notification by the first day of the semester URCA Associates  Project proposals due at noon on the third Friday in March  Visit the following website for more information: http://www.siue.edu/urca/prospective/apply.shtml http://www.siue.edu/urca/prospective/apply.shtml  Notification by the end of April

11. M Y P ROJECT

12. Q UESTIONS ? For More Information Contact: Dr. Laura Pawlow, URCA Coordinator lpawlow@siue.edu Dr. Vicki Scott, Assistant Provost for Academic Innovation and Effectiveness viscott@siue.edu Kendra Fark, URCA Graduate Assistant ktockst@siue.edu http://www.siue.edu/urca/