Overview: The Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creativity Office (URSCO) requests nominations of outstanding UNCG faculty mentors for the Thomas Undergraduate Research Mentor Award. The faculty member must have mentored at least two UNCG undergraduate students in research or creative inquiry. The 2015 Thomas Undergraduate Research Mentor Award will be presented during the 9th Annual Carolyn and Norwood Thomas Undergraduate Research and Creativity Expo, which will be held on April 7. This honor will include a plaque and $1,000 to support activities related to research or creative inquiry as it involves undergraduates during the following academic year.
Eligibility: UNCG faculty members with experience mentoring undergraduate students in projects that contribute to their disciplinary scholarship are eligible for this award. Nominees should hold a terminal degree in their discipline. Prior recipients can be reconsidered after a three year interlude.
Nomination Process: A faculty member must be nominated for the Thomas Undergraduate Research Mentor Award by their Department/Program Chair/Head. The nomination will consist of: 1) letter of nomination from the Chair/Head, 2) the nominee’s C.V., 3) brief letters of support from two students mentored by the faculty member (two page max), and 4) a teaching/research statement from the mentor (2 page max).
*All nominations will be kept on file and can be reactivated by providing an updated CV and any other materials deemed necessary by the department/program.*
Examples of the types of activities that will be considered in the selection process include:
- Evidence of consistent research and scholarly activity involving undergraduate students in research or creative inquiry;
- Mentoring undergraduates whose work has led to peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations;
- Innovative approaches to mentoring undergraduates, including the involvement of graduate students and post-doctoral scholars in undergraduate student mentorship; and
- Extramural support for undergraduate research activities through grants, contracts, and/or fundraising.
Number of Nominations per Department: Only one nominee per department/program will be accepted. The Department Chair/Head must submit the nomination.
Email Address: All nominations should be emailed to ursco@uncg.edu with “Undergraduate Research Mentor Award” in the subject line.
Important Deadlines: The deadline for complete nomination packages is March 6.
Questions: Questions should be addressed to Lee Phillips, Director of URSCO (plphilli@uncg.edu or 336-334-4622).
