Dr. Jennifer Ebinger (Executive Director) and Dr. Adam Scott Neal (Program Manager) from the Office of Engaged Learning will be speaking at the ConnectUR conference in Grand Rapids, MI on June 16-18.
ConnectUR, hosted by the national Council for Undergraduate Research, “provides a platform for attendees to engage in professional development, explore innovative practices, and collaborate with peers dedicated to advancing impactful research programs.”
Drs. Ebinger and Neal’s presentation, “Engaging Excellence Early: A First Year Research Experience for High-Achieving Students” explains the rationales and results of the First Year Research Experience (FYRE) program, launched in 2024-25.
Students in FYRE receive paid research assistant positions with a faculty mentor, and take a 1-credit class about the environment, process, and communication of research. The program aims to retain high-achieving students by engaging them in research early.