STEM Active Learning Vignette Series: The Undergraduate VIP Program at Virginia Commonwealth University

In 2017, Equal Measure visited five campuses representing four of the initial seven STEM Active Learning Networks to delve into site-level changes supporting progress toward network goals. This report discusses our visit to Virginia Commonwealth University focusing on their Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) program.The design of Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) arose from concerns about how academic disciplines are siloed at many higher education institutions, and that this structure does not enhance the undergraduate experience. VIP programs, at 18 colleges and universities at the time of this report's writing, integrate undergraduate education and faculty research in a team-based context. In addition, the program is multidisciplinary, and attracts students from schools and departments across the campuses of each participating institution.The long-term nature of VIP creates a mentoring environment with faculty and graduate students, with experienced undergraduate students mentoring newly enrolled undergraduates, and with students moving into leadership roles as others graduate. VIP also allows businesses to invest in the various design/discovery teams