Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program

The MSMC Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to work directly with a faculty mentor to conduct scholarly research and creative projects over the summer academic sessions. This competitive program is open to all undergraduate students from all academic disciplines (except graduating seniors). Students selected to participate receive course credit or a monetary stipend and have access to free on-campus housing in the dormitories throughout the SURE program.

SURE Program summer scholars join an active community of faculty and students from various disciplines. In addition to conducting research, community members participate in regular meetings to discuss research progress, attend developmental workshops, volunteer in the local community and gather for social events (hikes, kayaking, picnics, baseball games, etc.).

Application

Faculty publicize their available creative or research projects at the beginning of each spring semester. Students have the option of selecting one of the faculty projects or proposing a creative or research project of their own design when applying. Students and faculty submit a joint application outlining the roles of the student and creative/research mentor for the selected project. A committee of faculty, staff and administrators review and rank these applications. Top ranked student applicants may earn either a summer stipend or 3 credit hours at no cost to them. Award recipients sign a contract agreeing to dedicate 120 hours over 7-8 weeks, as well as participation in programmatic events. Faculty mentors agree to mentor the students, as well as participate in and help facilitate programmatic events.

The SURE Program is overseen by the SURE Coordinator, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.