Managing and Maintaining a Vibrant Summer Undergraduates Research Experiences Program

An intensive undergraduate research experience is a game changer for student success. Directing a summer undergraduate research experiences (SURE) program has many challenges. Faculty may find themselves involved in almost every aspect, from issues such as research mentorship and budget management to seemingly minuscule ones like solving glitches with Wi-Fi access and parking tickets. Regardless of the type of task, all, large or small, will impact the overall quality of the participants’ experiences. Ensuring that the program remains vibrant and relevant from year to year requires organization that also allows for flexibility and creativity. In 2017, we will direct the sixth cycle of Georgia Southern Chemistry Department’s SURE. Over the last few years, we have built a program that, with National Science Foundation (NSF) funding, now extends to students from other institutions across the US. We will reflect on our experiences and share lessons learned from managing and maintaining SURE