PURM 9.1
PURM 9.1 (2020)
Special Issue: Mentoring Student-Athletes for Undergraduate Research
Letter from the Guest Editors for Issue 9.1
Anthony G. Weaver, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs & Assessment, School of Communications, Elon University
William L. Sterrett, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Teacher Education & Outreach, Watson College of Education, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Research Article
Reflections on the Undergraduate Research Experience of Three Former NCAA Division I Athletes
Abstract: Three former NCAA Division I athletes from large, public institutions share their narratives and reflect upon experiences participating in undergraduate research while competing at the highest level in college athletics. Faculty and advising mentors connected them to research opportunities. Implications for institutions to involve college athletes in undergraduate research are offered.
Keywords: mentoring, undergraduate research, college athletes, first-generation
Lisa M. Rubin, Ph.D., Kansas State University
Alyssa A. Lombardi, M.S., Kansas State University
Kennedy Felice, M.S., Kansas State University
Michael A. Donato, M.Ed.
Dialogue
Touchdown! A Student-Athlete and Mentor Develop a Playbook for Undergraduate Research
Abstract: This co-authored essay is a dialogue between a teacher of a research methods course in Writing Studies and a student-athlete enrolled in the class who completed an IRB-approved study of the writing lives of football players at an NCAA Division I institution.
Keywords: undergraduate research, student-athlete, autoethnography
Joyce Kinkead, Ph.D., Utah State University
Cameron Haney, B.S., Utah State University
Dialogue
Engaging in Faculty Mentored Research with Student-athletes: A Successful Case at the University of North Carolina Wilmington
Abstract: Student-athletes’ demanding schedules limit their opportunities to engage in High Impact Practices (HIPs) like undergraduate research. We sought to develop a research experience that engaged student-athletes as both participants and research assistants. The dialogue included in this article shares outcomes from a faculty mentored research project with student-athletes at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington.
Keywords: undergraduate research, student-athletes, faculty mentor
James M. DeVita, Ph.D., University of North Carolina Wilmington
Brian Gano, Doctoral Candidate, University of North Carolina Wilmington
William L. Sterrett, Ph.D., University of North Carolina Wilmington
Sue Combs, Ph.D., University of North Carolina Wilmington
Research Article
Faculty Role Models: The Perceived Mentorship of Student-Athletes
Abstract: The role of faculty in college student development extends beyond the classroom. Informed by intergroup contact theory, researchers utilized the Mentor Role Instrument to survey 93 faculty, revealing that faculty at institutions outside the Power Five (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC) perceived themselves as role models to student-athletes.
Keywords: faculty, mentorship, mentoring model, mentor role instrument, role model, student-athletes
Sarah Stokowski, Ph.D., Clemson University
Alison Fridley, Ph.D., Northern State University
Kibaek Kim, M.A., University of Arkansas
Stacey A. Forsythe, Ed.D., Western Kentucky University
Samantha Roberts, Ph.D., Texas A&M University—Commerce
Research Article
Undergraduate Research Participation in Student-Athletes: Lessons Learned and What Mentors Can Do
Abstract: This paper investigated how student-athletes participate in undergraduate research. Based on these findings, the authors provide recommendations regarding recruitment of student-athletes into undergraduate research and how mentors can provide high quality mentorship to maximize benefits from this experience and to meet the needs of student-athletes.
Keywords: high impact practices, mentoring, undergraduate research, equity, athletics
Eric E. Hall, Ph.D., Elon University
Zoe Palomaki, B.S., Elon University
Caroline J. Ketcham, Ph.D., Elon University
Anthony G. Weaver, Ph.D., Elon University
Dialogue
The Grass Classroom and the Undergraduate Research Lab: First-Person Experiences in Being and Mentoring Student-Athletes in Undergraduate Research
Abstract: Four former collegiate student-athletes who engaged in undergraduate research, who are now faculty or doctoral students in psychology, reflect on their experiences. We used these experiences to inform recommendations and conclusions to help mentors empathize with and support student-athletes as they manage their simultaneous commitments to research/academics and athletics.
Keywords: mentoring, student-athletes, undergraduate research
Donald A. Saucier, Ph.D., Kansas State University
Ashley A. Schiffer, Doctoral Student, Kansas State University
Tucker L. Jones, M.S., Doctoral Candidate, Kansas State University
Slava Prokhorets, M.S., Doctoral Student, Kansas State University
Amanda L. Martens, Ph.D., Simpson College
Dialogue
Set and Spike: Mentoring a Student-Athlete in STEM for Undergraduate Engineering Education Research
Abstract: It is well known that student-athletes are more diverse and higher academic achievers, on average, than their collegiate peers. However, little research has explored the mentoring relationships of student-athletes who conduct undergraduate research. Unique challenges and opportunities exist for student-athletes and faculty when it comes to mentoring undergraduate research in fields like science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Using a collaborative autoethnographic methodological approach and apprenticeship theory, our personal narratives detail how an engineering professor mentored a former engineering student-athlete for undergraduate engineering education research. We offer several findings and recommendations.
Keywords: mentoring, engineering, student-athletes, race, gender, equity
Leroy L. Long III, Ph.D., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
McKenna D. Gooch, Graduate Student, University of Arizona
Research Article
Student-Athletes Narratives about Engagement in Undergraduate Research
Abstract: This article examines the impact of undergraduate research with two Division I student-athletes using narrative research methods. The findings highlight the influence of coaches, academic advisors, and athletic department culture and obstacles associated with athletic responsibilities as significant factors for student-athletes who engage in undergraduate research.
Keywords: undergraduate research, student-athlete, psychology
Tomika Ferguson, Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University
Sofia Hiort-Wright, Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University
Noumea Witmus, Virginia Commonwealth University
Kelly Graves, University of Illinois, Springfield
General Submissions
Research Article
Undergraduate Research Programs: Challenges and Opportunities
Abstract: Students engaged in research earlier in their educational careers are positioned as ideal candidates for graduate school and beyond. The focus of this work is to assess structured opportunities at the undergraduate level, identify areas of strength and concern in this effort, and offer general recommendations to strengthen research opportunities.
Keywords: undergraduate research, mentoring, teaching, scholarship, community
Dana Battaglia, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Adelphi University
Patrick R. Walden, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, St. John’s University
Dialogue
Systematic and Scoping Reviews with Undergraduates
Abstract: Systematic and scoping review projects allow undergraduate students to learn and execute research in a virtual format and increase scholarship for students and faculty. Methods are described for conducting a successful large-team undergraduate online literature-based research project. Undergraduates engaged in systematic review projects attain learning outcomes like those in other research settings.
Keywords: undergraduate students, research, systematic review, scholarship, transferable skills
Christine Loyd, Ph.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham
James Boyett, B.S., University of Alabama at Birmingham
Cameron Pittenger, B.S., University of Alabama at Birmingham
Shannon Lynch, B.S., University of Alabama at Birmingham
Elizabeth Rachel Huckaby, M.S.W., University of Alabama at Birmingham
Marissa Brasher, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Samantha Giordano-Mooga, Ph.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham
Research Article
Building Place-based Research in a Study Abroad Program: Interdisciplinary Pedagogical Approaches to Learning about Cultural Sites
Abstract: This paper outlines an interdisciplinary project of history education and computer science to examine innovative pedagogical approaches in teaching cultural sites. It demonstrates that place-based research projects provide students a theoretical framework to rethink their engagement with the environment and motivate them to conduct and present research about specific sites.
Keywords: place studies, cultural sites, study abroad, undergraduate research, interdisciplinary pedagogy, proactive map
Zhan Zhang, M.A., University of Pittsburgh
Xiaolin Duan, Ph.D., North Carolina State University
Noboru Matsuda, Ph.D., North Carolina State University
Dialogue
Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning Opportunities and the Development of Inquiry-Driven Undergraduate Researchers: Experiences from a Multidisciplinary Honors Program
Abstract: The present dialogue documents how Tucker Collins (mentee) worked with Dr. Shannon Davis (mentor) on his undergraduate research project. The paper presents Dr. Davis’s and Tucker’s individual reflections on their research partnership. The paper concludes with recommendations for other universities looking to create a more interdisciplinary learning environment for their students through undergraduate research.
Keywords: interdisciplinary undergraduate curriculum, mentoring relationships, inquiry-driven coursework
Tucker Collins, B.S., George Mason University
Shannon N. Davis, Ph.D., George Mason University
Research Article
Expanding the Reach of Undergraduate Research in the Arts and Humanities through Academic Posters
Abstract: Arts and humanities undergraduate researchers can present scholarship effectively and with greater versatility to diverse, multidisciplinary audiences through the distinct genre of academic posters. Sharing scholarship through posters is especially important during a pandemic when accessibility in virtual spaces is essential.
Keywords: posters, presentations, arts and humanities, dissemination, conferences, design thinking
Amy Woodbury Tease, Ph.D., Norwich University
Jenny Olin Shanahan, Ph.D., Bridgewater State University