Mission

The Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creativity Office (URSCO) at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) is dedicated to promoting and supporting student success through mentored undergraduate research, creative inquiry and other scholarly experiences for the UNCG community. The URSCO is also dedicated to helping faculty become increasingly effective with mentoring undergraduate research and integrating research skills into courses and curricula.

Focus

The office seeks to highlight the diversity of disciplinary scholarship for and through our students in order to help cultivate inquiry outside the classroom. Toward this end, the URSCO hosts a variety of workshops for students and faculty.

Student workshops include: what to expect from a research experience, how to create an effective poster, how to identify the right research program and mentor, and students talking with each other about their research.

Faculty workshops include: how to mentor undergraduate students in research/creative inquiry and integrating research skills into the curriculum.

Specifically, the URSCO seeks to:

• • 1. Provide opportunities for UNCG students to engage in an undergraduate research experience.
    2. Provide opportunities for UNCG students to learn about the benefits of undergraduate research or scholarly experience.
    3. Provide opportunities for UNCG students to disseminate the results of their research.
    4. Develop additional programs that support undergraduate research experiences.
    5. Develop an assessment program for the undergraduate research experience.
    6. Participate in local, state, and national dialogues or meetings devoted to promoting undergraduate research.

History

Prior to 2006, the Office of Research and Public/Private Sector Partnership at the UNCG administered the Undergraduate Research Assistantship (now URCA) program, the Scholars Travel program, and an annual undergraduate research poster show.

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) was created in 2006 to fulfill the vision of Associate Provost Rosemary Wander. In spring of 2014, the OUR became the Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creativity Office (URSCO) in an effort to embrace and promote the diversity of disciplinary scholarship represented by the university.

Since 1997, UNCG has invested more than $1,000,000 and supported more than 1,000 undergraduate student researchers. The Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creativity Office offers highly motivated students the opportunity to work closely with a faculty mentor on their research, scholarship, or creative projects. Faculty and students in all academic disciplines are encouraged to submit requests for support.