The Office of Undergraduate Research (UGR) is currently seeking to fill a limited number of positions for its Undergraduate Research Ambassador program. Please read the details below, and if you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please click on the button at the bottom of the page to apply.
Overview
UGR Ambassadors are advanced undergraduate researchers and committed students that are passionate about increasing research opportunities for students in the WVU community. Undergraduate research is a form of high-impact experiential learning, and students that participate in this process reinforce and expand upon subject knowledge, network with experts in their fields, and make a mark on their respective disciplines. Above all, UGR Ambassadors seek to enhance the undergraduate experience at WVU by capitalizing on their firsthand experiences with research.
Priority candidates for the spring 2020 semester include sophomores conducting research in:
- Engineering
- Exercise Physiology
- Public Health
- Criminology
- Business (e.g., global supply chain management, management information systems, hospitality, marketing)
- Political Science
- International Relations
- Forensics & Investigative Sciences
Other disciplinary fields or class rankings (i.e., JR, SR) will be considered depending on forecasted UGR needs.
Requirements
Minimum requirements to serve as an undergraduate research ambassador include:
- 1 year of undergraduate research experience
- Concurrent involvement in research at the time of ambassador appointment
- Approval of faculty research mentor
- Ability to attend meetings twice a month (biweekly) at pre-scheduled meeting times
- Ability to complete 5 assignments OR 15 hours of service over the course of the semester
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA at the time of serving
- Strong interpersonal communication skills
- Strong interest in advocating undergraduate research programming and promoting the positive aspects that the Office of Undergraduate Research offers
Additional research and leadership experiences will be taken into consideration when offering the role of an ambassador including:
- Past enrollment in any research program or symposia (e.g., RAP, SURE, NIST SURF, REUs, URDC, POH, NCUR, WVU’s Undergraduate Spring Symposium, WVU’s Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium, travel-funded research, or other conference presentations)
- Serving in a prior role with a demonstrated community impact on campus (e.g., serving in a student organization, serving as a resident assistant, extensive volunteering)
- Proven commitment to expanding opportunities in undergraduate research
Opportunities to Serve
Ambassadors will be asked to serve in several ways to complete the minimum requirement of 5 assignments or 15 hours of service. Throughout the semester opportunities might include:
- Tabling in the Lair for event promotions
- Providing event support at the Undergraduate Spring Symposium
- Recruiting at Decide WVU Days
- Recruiting at WVU Junior Preview Days
- Providing programmatic support to the RAP program
- Providing occasional support to office operations
- Writing thank you cards to faculty research mentors and program sponsors
- Sharing about your research experience in UGR’s “Research Reflections” blog
- Contributing to UGR social media
- Announcing upcoming research programs at RA staff meetings
Past UGR Ambassadors have had access to the following benefits:
- Compensation through either existing Federal Work Study awards or allocated funding
- Opportunities to take on larger leadership roles within UGR programming and initiatives
- The development of transferable skills such as public speaking, outreach, messaging, accountability, and professionalism
- Marketed attire to wear at recruiting events
- Free food at meetings and events
Apply Now
If you meet the above requirements, can perform the outlined expectations, and are still interested in pursuing this opportunity, please click on the button below. If your application satisfies the needs of UGR, you will be contacted to sit for a brief interview. Positions are expected to be filled by early February.
