Undergraduate Research Projects
According to the American Association of Colleges & Universities (2007), Undergraduate Research is included in a set of verifiable, effective educational practices that are correlated with positive educational results for students from widely varying backgrounds (see “High-Impact Educational Practices: A Brief Overview,”, pp.9-11). In connection with the AAC&U essential learning outcomes, Undergraduate Research fosters broad knowledge of human cultures and the natural world, strengthens intellectual and practical skills, and it is a practice of interactive and applied learning.
At Mesa Community College, Undergraduate Research (UGR) experiences occur in all disciplines. MCC’s HSI-STEM: Guided Pathways Enhancement Project aims to increase faculty and student engagement with undergraduate research as a way to increase student persistence, successful completion, graduation, and transfer. The HSI-STEM grant supports two types of Undergraduate Research: Special Projects (faculty-student mentoring) and Classroom-Based Research Projects. Grant funds are available for
- research materials,
- faculty development projects including faculty-faculty project development mentorship,
- faculty community of practice participation,
- tuition for grant-eligible students to enroll into UGR special projects courses,
- hourly wages for grant-eligible students completing UGR special projects, and
- grant-eligible student and faculty travel funds for symposium awards.
Faculty Undergraduate Research Development Projects
Funded projects require a full academic year commitment.

Fall Term
- Complete the MCC Undergraduate Research online training course.
- Determine if you will develop a special project or classroom-based project.
- Complete the UGR faculty development project application.
- Meet regularly with your assigned mentor and develop a project.
- Share the project plan with your department.
- Earn a $1500 one-time payment (equivalent to ~1.5 load hours).
Spring Term
- Special Projects ONLY: Identify students to enroll into the special projects course (Z formula funding applies).
- Implement the UGR project.
- Participate in UGR community of practice meetings to discuss projects and develop together.
- Earn a $250 one-time payment (equivalent to ~.25 load hours).
Funded by a U.S. Department of Education Title III HSI-STEM grant.