Description & Charge
The Division of Undergraduate Education and Student Success (UESS) is charged by the Office of the Provost with offering university-wide guidance and expertise, thought leadership, and evidence-based practices to shape and elevate student success outcomes. UESS coordinates initiatives across the university in the areas of academic advising, accessible education, the first-year experience, pre-college and summer bridge, tutoring and supplemental instruction, and undergraduate research and distinguished scholarships. UESS guides the alignment, collaboration and integration of student success strategies across schools, colleges, and departments with Oregon Rising Goals, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Indicators of Success (IOSs).
The Council for Undergraduate Research and Distinguished Scholarships (Council) functions as an advisory board for the allied offices and programs comprising the Undergraduate Research and Distinguished Scholarships (URDS) unit with UESS, including the Center for Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE), Office of Distinguished Scholarships (ODS), Ronald E McNair Scholars Program, Academic Residential and Research Initiatives (ARRI), and the Alpha of Oregon chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. The Council also liaises with the Undergraduate Research Symposium Steering Committee, Academic Residential Community Council, and Oregon Rising Working Groups, including the Financial Assistance Work Group, and First Year Experience Work Group.
URDS offers holistic advising and support to undergraduates and recent alumni exploring and participating in undergraduate research, distinguished scholarships, paid internships, experiential learning, and post-completion destinations. In alignment with Oregon Rising Goals and student success priorities, the interdivisional team of URDS/ARRI leads High Impact Practices (HIPs), including Learning Communities, First-Year Seminars, Common Intellectual Experiences, Undergraduate Research, Internships, Community-Based Learning and Capstone Projects. Through equity-centered outreach, advising, mentoring, instruction, funding, and recognition, URDS helps students access and experience the full resources and benefits of a liberal arts and sciences research university.
The Council will engage in strategic planning regarding the undergraduate academic experience from pre-college collaborations, prospective/incoming students, and the first-year experience, to transfer students, community collaborations, capstone experiences, and post-completion support for recent alum. In AY25-26 the Council will focus on six areas.
Focus Areas
Equity
Increase awareness, support, and engagement for traditionally underserved students, including first-generation, non-traditional, Pell-eligible and BIPOC students in undergraduate research and distinguished scholarship experiences.
Data
Assess existing institutional and multi-institutional survey data of faculty and student engagement in and outcomes from undergraduate research at UO; 2) explore opportunities for establishing disaggregated demographic data on undergraduate research and distinguished scholarships engagement/participation; 3) evaluate the viability of developing and performing a campus-wide survey investigating faculty experiences, expectations, and capacity regarding undergraduate research (course based and multi-term) in collaboration with Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)and Council on Undergraduate Research and the Big Ten Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Directors.
Faculty Support
Explore structures, incentives, and funding to strengthen the recognition and documentation of faculty engagement and mentorship within instruction, service, and research portfolios for tenure and promotion. Pursue opportunities for developing faculty mentor development through collaborations with Teaching Engagement Program (TEP), Office of the Provost and external partners such as Chris Rhea and Tom Mullaney’s Where Research Begins. Assess institutional policies and structures that support and inhibit undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activities at UO.
Pipeline
Supporting pre-college and summer bridge collaborations, including the Summer Academy to Inspire Learning (SAIL), Oregon Young Scholars Program (OYSP), UESS summer bridge cohorts (North Star, Catalyst, Leverage), first-year seminars (FIGs and ARCs); and cohort-based programs (TRIO Student Support Services, Pathway Oregon).
Access
Expanding centralized communications and listings for undergraduate research position postings and opportunities (i.e. HandShake platform).
The Council will also help cultivate a campus-wide network of faculty to participate in the Faculty Involvement Opportunities outlined below.
Scope of Commitment
The Council will convene twice quarterly for one-hour meetings. The estimated scope of commitment is 2-4 hours per term. Council members may also choose to participate in the separate Faculty Involvement Opportunities listed below, but this is not an expectation of membership on the Council.
Decision-Making Authority
The Council is convened by the Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Research and Distinguished Scholarships as it is not a statutory committee or council of the University of Oregon Senate. The Council will serve in an advisory capacity to the allied offices and programs of CURE, ODS, and McNair Scholars. Faculty choosing to participate in the additional opportunities outlined below will contribute to decision-making around the selection of students for scholarships, endorsements, funding, awards, and admission.
Faculty Involvement Opportunities
Office of Distinguished Scholarships (ODS)
- Participate in internal review and endorsement processes
- Serve on limited-duration internal review committees for distinguished scholarships that require institutional endorsements (e.g. Churchill, Goldwater, Marshall, Mitchell, Rhodes, and Truman) to evaluate applications and select endorsees
- Advise distinguished scholarship endorsees
- Participate in mock interviews for distinguished scholarships finalists
Center for Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE)
- Review applications for First-Year Research Experience (FYRE) Fellowships
- Review applications for Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)
- Review nominations for Faculty Mentor Recognition Awards
Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program
- Serve on admissions committee to review applications, interview candidates, and make selections
- Serve as a guest speaker/discussion facilitator at McNair Scholars seminar and/or workshops on topics such as conducting research, applying to graduate school, and pursuing a PhD, career pathways
- Serve as a McNair Scholars mentor and recruit faculty to join McNair Scholars Faculty Mentor Pool
- “Coffee and Chat” – Meet with McNair Scholars for informal conversations
Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Serve as judges for Symposium presenter awards
- Serve as moderators for presentation sessions