UW-Whitewater students typically opt to have a major or minor in subject areas they are passionate about. Each college has a wide range of academic programs for students to choose from.

A student’s coursework sets a solid foundation for success in their discipline. However, students may be unaware of a campus resource that allows them to dive into their passions outside of the classroom.

The Undergraduate Research Program (URP) is designed for students to conduct a research project with the assistance of a faculty mentor.

Director John Frye stated that alongside moral support, the URP also provides financial support to students and faculty.

“If they need to buy any supplies to do their research or travel anywhere to do their research, we can support that,” Frye said. “We also give the students an opportunity to show off that work once they are completed with the project.”

Frye explained that a student who wishes to participate in the program needs to develop a research question that they wish to answer. This research question will serve as the basis for the project.

After this step is completed, the student will then seek out a faculty mentor in the discipline of their research project. The mentor and student will then work together to write a proposal to be submitted to the URP.

Frye emphasized the importance of faculty mentors and how they are beneficial to students in the URP.

“It’s just being there for students when they come and ask you to serve as a mentor,” Frye said. “We’re looking for those faculty members just to step up when a student approaches and be willing to support those students.”

Faith Jones was a participant in the URP during her entire undergraduate career at UW-Whitewater. Now a graduate student, Jones’s project focused on religion and spirituality in the social work field.

Jones expressed that she has nothing but good things to say about the URP.

“I was very blessed to have a very good faculty mentor in the social work department alongside a lot of support from the [program],” Jones said. “To really see my research project become my own was something really cool and special.”

For Jones’ project, she collected statistical data through surveys and conducted interviews with social workers. Jones also had the opportunity to travel to locations such as Alabama and Louisiana for her project.

Jones stated that the best aspects of being a part of the URP were watching her project unfold and building connections with faculty members and social work professionals. Jones also credited the program for building her confidence.

“I feel like undergraduate research really encouraged me to explore and nourish those qualities. Because now, I could do this presentation in front of 50 to 100 people and not be nervous,” Jones said. “Before undergraduate research was really a part of my life, I wasn’t having the same exposure to things like that.”

Both Frye and Jones believe that the URP helps students build skills that are beneficial to them in graduate school and the workforce. Frye stated that some skills include professionally presenting research, time management and problem solving.

Frye encouraged students to reach out to the URP office if they are unsure of where to start with a research project.

“If it’s something they’re interested in, just reach out to us, and we can have that conversation and help point them in the right direction,” Frye said. “That’s what our office is there for.”

Jones echoed Frye’s message, adding that she highly recommends the program to all students.

“It’s very beneficial and invaluable, and it gives you so many unique opportunities and experiences,” Jones said. “If you take advantage of it, you’re going to see the effects of it, and it’s going to only lead to positive things.”

It is evident that the URP provides numerous benefits to students, as it allows them to acquire and enhance skills in their field of study and professional life.