Faculty

The Office of Student Research works with faculty to advance student research and creative activities in the classroom and beyond. Have a success story to share? Scroll down to submit a Shoutout!

Activate Your CUR Membership 

Illinois State University is an "enhanced" institutional member of The Council on Undergraduate Research which means that all ISU faculty, staff, and students have access to CUR's resources, professional development opportunities, and nationwide network in support undergraduate research and faculty mentorship. Activate your membership today  

Support for Faculty Research Mentors

Working with undergraduate researchers is often one of instructors' most highly rewarding experiences. Good mentoring relationships require shared expectations and regular communication. We encourage faculty to develop their own mentoring philosophy and to create mentorship agreements with their mentees.

What is a Mentorship Agreement?

A Mentorship Agreement is a “living document” that you may revisit with your student as you supervise their growth and development. Mentorship agreements commonly outline:

• The project goals
• Meeting times and communication preferences
• Compliance requirements
• Plans for student skill development and training
• Evaluation plans or plans for feedback
• Plans for the dissemination

See the following examples of Mentorship Agreements

• University of Wisconsin, ICTR
• University of California, Davis
• Arizona State Univeristy

Contact OSR for faculty or student professional development workshops:

• Using CIMER's Entering Mentoring curriculum, faculty workshops help new and experienced research mentors improve their mentoring practice. Topics include: aligning mentor-mentee expectations; addressing equity and inclusion; creating a mentorship philosophy and plan, assessing understanding; cultivating ethical behavior; fostering independence; maintaining effective communication, promoting mentee research self-efficacy; promoting professional development; fostering wellbeing; and enhancing cultural awareness.

• Student workshops (for undergraduate or graduate researchers) are based on CIMER's Entering Research curriculum. All FIREbird Program grantees are invited to participate in the Entering Research programs offered during the semester and over the summer. 

Gina Hunter is a trained facilitator of CIMER's Entering Mentoring curriculum and Entering Research curriculum.