A new scholarship at Western Illinois University aims to support and recognize exceptional research by undergraduate students.
The scholarship is being awarded by The Center for Undergraduate Research at Malpass Library, a collaboration between the Centennial Honors college and the University Libraries.
The $500 scholarship is open to all undergraduate students in all disciplines. Research should incorporate a field component to be completed this summer.
TSPR talked with Lorette Oden, Dean of the Centennial Honors College, and Hector Maymi-Sugrañes, Dean of the University Libraries about the scholarship and undergraduate research at WIU.
They say the collaboration is a pilot project meant to elevate research at Western, which can also improve retention.
“We know that we are facing a crisis in retention in our student population, mostly undergrad,” said Maymi-Sugrañes. “Data shows when students are engaged in research, when students are engaged doing community engagement, when they are engaged doing entrepreneurship or innovation, those students say, okay, I’m going to stay.”
For the scholarship, research projects are not required to be based in western Illinois, but Oden said it would be great if they were.
“Just so students have a better understanding of where they are and what’s going on in the area, and just building that community relationship,” she said.
Listen to the interview with Oden and Maymi-Sugrañes above.
The scholarship was made possible through the generosity of the city of Macomb and Sterling Kernek, former director of the Honors College.
To apply for the scholarship, interested students must complete the online application form, which includes a proposal of between 500 to 750 words.
The proposal should include an introduction, justification, and methodology for the research project. The deadline is Friday, March 22. Applicants should check the application form (https://forms.gle/VhTAr1FX5r6nnewh6) for the guidelines and requirements.
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