For the past two years, the Office of Faculty and Graduate Student Retention, Inclusion and Success has conducted an eight-week multidisciplinary summer research experience for undergraduates called the ASSURE (Access and Support for Successful Undergraduate Research Experience) program. Participating students conduct research under the guidance of a faculty mentor from their field of interest. The program includes professional development workshops and social activities that allow students to interact and engage with other summer research programs. Also, the students prepare a Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) presentation that is given at the closing ceremony at the end of the program.
The program is only open to students of collaborating and partnering institutions of the Office of Graduate Student Retention, Inclusion and Success. The program started with three students and we hope to increase the number of participants this summer. The program serves all majors. This year, the program will run from June 10 to August 2.
“Participating in the ASSURE program has launched my academic career forward in a big way. It has acted as a spring board to several new and exciting research opportunities, the experience and connections I've obtained as a result of the program are invaluable.” 2018 ASSURE participant, Mr. Spencer Williams. Spencer now majors in Earth System Science at Jackson State University and has applied to Kent State’s PhD program in Geology for admission in Fall 2019.
If you would like more information about the ASSURE program, please contact Ruth Washington, PhD., at rwashin6@kent.edu.