mentor student2

Faculty mentorship is at the heart of successful undergraduate research experiences.

Responsibilities

While the USP coordinates project funding and associated administrative aspects of student awards, faculty mentors are responsible for the more direct, day-in-day-out oversight of student projects. As a faculty mentor, you will be in a position to coach, teach, model, and encourage students as they learn the skills and processes to successfully conduct research in their field of study. The USP expects mentors to work with their students at all levels of the research process – from proposal writing to conducting research and analyzing results to preparing a poster.

As the supervising faculty, USP mentors will be also be responsible for assisting students with any departmental or university level compliance items that pertain to the project.  This may include, but is not limited to:  

  • Assessing projects and assigning grades for academic credit (if applicable)
  • Filing travel authorization paperwork (for projects that involve travel and/or USP funded conference travel)
  • Obtaining IRB approval or any other permissions relevant to the project

Student-Mentor Expectations

Please work with your student to determine expectations for your level of involvement. The USP generally recommends that mentors meet/exchange substantive communication with their students at least every 1-2 weeks, but recognizes that this may vary based on the complexity of the project and the student’s level of experience.   

Nature of Student Projects

The USP funds research and scholarship in all academic disciplines, including original creative works in the arts and humanities. 

Projects may contribute directly to your research area (for example, assigning a student to a sub-component of your larger research goals) or come out of a more independent research interest proposed by the student. 

The student project should address a substantive research question or creative project. Student work should move beyond simple lab or research assistance (data entry, routine lab tasks, etc.) to active engagement in framing and answering the research question(s). Proposals must be student-written, although mentors are encouraged to provide guidance and editorial assistance during the drafting process. 

Multiple Student Applicants

In order to fund as many deserving students as possible with USP scholarships each year, a mentor who has access to external funding will be eligible for full funding from the USP for two students. A 50% match will be expected from the mentor for the third and fourth students, assuming the students are ranked as FUND or FUND IF POSSIBLE by the review panel.  Full funding for a third student from mentors who do not have access to research funding will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Mentors should not expect funding for more than four students in one semester.

Mentorship Training: The Center for Faculty Excellence offers resources to help you and your graduate students become better mentors. For more information, go to MSU's Undergraduate Research Mentor Resources and the CFE website.