Undergraduate research is one way in which students can be successful at The University of Akron. Through research, faculty, working closely with students, engage them in their scholarly pursuits. This is a wonderful learning opportunity and often leads to students presenting their findings at professional meetings and symposia. UA is now part of the Carnegie Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) leadership cluster for undergraduate research.

We have set four primary goals for this effort:

• To assess student and faculty understanding of the value that undergraduate research adds to the university experience.
• To support existing, and encourage new, undergraduate research endeavors on campus.
• To disseminate the impact of these activities locally and nationally.
• To facilitate a cultural change concerning the role and need for undergraduate research experiences for all students.

As we work to achieve these goals, special attention will be directed toward broadening the awareness of undergraduate research opportunities to include all disciplines, not just those in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. We also want to involve students in research experiences earlier in their academic careers. In addition to increasing the depth of their understanding of their chosen field, such activity also strengthens the student's connection to his or her academic program and to the university — two important contributors to student success.