Bradley Chosen for National College Transformation Project

August 8, 2017

Bradley University is one of 12 universities and colleges in the United States to be selected as an institutional partner for the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Transformations Project.  Bradley representatives will be part of the national team to transform the way undergraduate research is incorporated on campuses across the nation.   

Bradley's project team is based in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) and encompasses the Department of Biology, Department of Psychology, and the Office of Dean.  LAS Dean, Dr. Christopher Jones, says the goal of this initiative is to more intentionally and fully incorporate research into an undergraduate's four-year academic experience. "These transformations will increase faculty-student interactions, improve student retention, develop students' capacity to conduct research before entering independent faculty labs, and improve students' postgraduate success whether they pursue a job or graduate school." 

The Bradley team will play a significant role in emphasizing and promoting undergraduate research, which, according to Jones, is a key to a fulfilling and successful academic experience.  "Participating in undergraduate research enhances student learning because it creates mentoring relationships with faculty. It also increases student academic success while increasing enrollment in graduate education and providing effective career preparation."  Jones says Bradley already offers significant undergraduate research opportunities and is unique because the institution is large enough to support research through laboratory facilities, grants, and fellowships while small enough to provide individualized faculty mentoring.  

President Gary Roberts says nearly 100 colleges and university applied to be a part of this initiative. "The CUR selection is a significant achievement. Working with this organization will bring Bradley considerable national recognition and academic standing."  The CUR Project is supported by a grant funded by the National Science Foundation.
To learn more about the program click here.