2013 -14 Research Rookies Faculty Mentor Orientation Luncheon Julia Spears, Ph.D. & Rachel Tripodi, M.S. Ed. Office of Student Engagement & Experiential.

2013 -14Research Rookies

Faculty Mentor Orientation Luncheon

Julia Spears, Ph.D. & Rachel Tripodi, M.S. Ed.Office of Student Engagement & Experiential Learning

Northern Illinois University

Session Agenda• Lunch & table talk• Introductions• Example of successful mentoring relationship• Research Rookies dates & deadlines• Meeting information• Program goals & outcomes• Expectations• Other program components & resources

Introductions• Name• College• Department• First time mentoring a Research Rookie?• One thing you are excited about• One thing you are nervous about

Power of Mentors“Behind every successful person, there is one

elementary truth: somewhere, somehow, someone cared about their growth and development.

This person was their mentor”Dr. Beverly Kaye, Up Is Not the Only Way, 1997

Example of SuccessfulMentoring Relationship

• Dr. Marc Adler– Assistant Professor,

Chemistry & Biochemistry– Research Rookies Mentor

Program Dates & Deadlines• Due Date for Proposals – Friday, November 15, 2013– Send to [email protected]

• Annual Research Rookies Reception– Monday, December 2, 2013 from 3:00-4:30– Altgeld Auditorium

• Undergraduate Research & Artistry Day– Tuesday, April 22, 2014– Holmes Student Center, Ballroom

Proposal Guidelines• Abstract• Project Description (Limit 3 pages)– Background & context– Statement of significance & impact– Statement of project objectives– Methods– Outcomes

• Literature Cited• Timeline

Continuum of Research Proposal Designs

Faculty-Initiated Project

• More developmental• Stronger mentoring

component

Faculty and Student Directed

Project• Mutual investment• New inquiry

Student-Initiated Project

• Strong student development

• Demonstrated cognitive readiness

Reception• Monday, December 2 from 3:00-4:30pm• Altgeld Auditorium• To formally welcome and honor students and

mentors in participating in Research Rookies• Students will be asked to give “elevator

speech” about their research– Video recording

Undergraduate Research & Artistry Day

• Tuesday, April 22, 2014Holmes Student Center, Ellington Ballroom

• Registration opens:– Monday, January 13, 2014

• Deadline to register and submit abstracts:– Friday, March 7, 2014

• Posters – no larger than 40” x 32”• Volunteers needed for judging!

Research Rookies Monthly Meetings

• Meetings are mandatory• If a student cannot attend a meeting, notify

OSEEL before missed meeting• Each unexcused absence will result in 10%

stipend deduction• More than 3 unexcused absences will result in

dismissal from Research Rookies

Research Rookies Monthly Meetings

• Come prepared– Bring pen & paper to take notes– Be prepared to give updates on progress

• Come hungry– Dinner will always be served

• First Monday of each month• Typical agenda:– Announcements & housekeeping– Check-in with Natalie– Speaker– Small group activity

Research Rookies Monthly Meetings

Research Rookies Monthly Meetings

• Topics reviewed so far– Handbook/expectations– Proposal guidelines– Office of Research Compliance & Integrity (IRB)– Defining research variable & operationalizing your

research

Program Goals• Engage students in faculty-mentored research • Provide a positive learning environment • Help students pursue their goals • Introduce students to research• Give students the opportunity to meet other

driven young people• Give students the opportunity to present at

Undergraduate Research and Artistry Day

Research Rookies• Participate with faculty mentor to develop,

understand and complete a research or artistry project

• Spend approximately 5 10 hours per week on your ‐project

• Participate in formal programming (i.e. monthly meetings)

• Notify your faculty supervisor AND the OSEEL of any change in research focus

• Immediately address personal difficulties that arise during your research experience with OSEEL

Peer Leaders• Assist with questions or concerns from small group ‐

members• Obtain progress reports from small group members‐• Coordinate one group activity per month with small group ‐

members• Notify OSEEL staff of any issues with small group members‐• Follow up with students: phone calls and/or emails• Assist with documenting group activities • Attend mandatory monthly Peer Leader meetings• Help first year Research Rookies become familiar with ‐

university resources

Peer Leaders• Peer Leaders qualifications:– Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher– Have completed one year of the Research Rookies

program– Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively

with first-year students– Be able to serve as a positive role model for first-

year students

Faculty Mentors• Provide learning resources and necessary tools for

the research/artistry project• Meet with the student to plan and complete the

project• Attend the Research Rookies Reception on

December 2, 2013• Assist the student with preparation of project

materials for URAD presentation• Attend major research presentations that the

student makes on the NIU campus• Notify OSEEL of any issues or concerns

Time Commitment• Research Rookies should expect to spend 5-10

hours per week conducting research• These 5-10 hours may include:– Student writing proposal– Student conducting literature review– Student working with a GA– Student working in lab– Student working with faculty member (one-on-

one meetings, time in lab)

Blog• All Research Rookies are required to blog

about their experience• Blog prompts will be given at meetings• Upload pictures

Stipend• Students will receive stipend, ONLY if:– Present at URAD– In good academic standing– Have less than 3 meeting absences during school

year

Communication• Communication is KEY!• Email is main form of communication• [email protected]

Research Results• Most important thing:– Learn the research process

• Would like to reinforce:– Student will not disappoint OSEEL if research has

no results as long as the student learns the research process

Resources• New Research Rookies Website– www.niu.edu/researchrookies

• NIU Faculty Development Portal– Responsible Conduct in Research Mentoring is an

online training module for faculty engaged in research mentoring.

Contact Information

Student Engagement & Experiential LearningEvans Field House 110

[email protected]

www.niu.edu/ugresearch