Institutions earn prestigous award for undergraduate research

St. Ben’s and St. John’s is awarded one of the highest honors that colleges and institutions can get in the world of research given by the Council of Undergraduate Research

St. Ben’s and St. John’s was recently awarded the AURA award from the Council on Undergraduate Research.

AURA stands for Award for Undergraduate Research Accomplishments. CSB+SJU are one of the three colleges in the nation given this award. The other colleges that received this award were the University of Florida and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Any award given by the Council of Undergraduate Research is one of the highest honors that colleges and institutions can get in the world of research.

This award is given to colleges and universities that have exemplary programs that provide high-quality research experiences for undergraduates.

“The 2023 AURA recipients reflect achievements as leaders in undergraduate research that set their institutions apart,” CUR’s executive officer Lindsay Currie said.

Lindsey Gunnerson Gutsch, director of Undergraduate Research and Scholars, claims that this award is a way to show that research at CSB+SJU does not go unnoticed.

“Receiving this award says to our current students and faculty in our scholarly community that we immensely value the work you do,” Gutsch said via email.

The award was a result of a couple decades of work done by the staff and students on both campuses.

“Things that made CSB+SJU stand out was our dedication of over 20 years building a culture of undergraduate research through a diverse portfolio of research programs, course-based research experiences, dedicated administrative staff in its Office of Undergraduate Research & Scholars and dissemination opportunities,” Gutsch said.

CSB+SJU also has a unique program that has helped them stand out amongst all the other colleges and institutions that applied.

“Our Emerging Scholars Program [is distinctive], along with the fact that 100% of the first cohort of students in the program graduated on time in 2023. Although it is still a young and growing program, Emerging Scholars has clearly contributed to centering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Access in the research communities at CSB+SJU,” Gutsch said.

The Emerging Scholars Program allows select first-year students from diverse backgrounds to immediately dive into research with the guidance of faculty as part of a work study.

Catherine Bohn-Gettler, a professor in the education department and director of assessment as well as former co-director of Undergraduate Research, helped conceive the Emerging Scholars Program along with Gutsch.

Bohn-Gettler says many changes were made over the years to help CSB+SJU stand out amongst other colleges and universities.

“We transitioned from our college thesis to the distinguished thesis, and then we also conceived and launched the pathways to distinction program,” Bohn-Gettler said.

Bohn-Gettler offers some advice to new incoming students and current students because of this award.

“They should be really proud to be Bennies and Johnnies and to be at an institution that supports students so much that they are willing to invest resources towards providing their scholarship and creative work. Also, they should not be afraid to talk to faculty and ask about their scholarship and creative work and how they become part of it,” Bohn-Gettler said.

Bohn-Gettler also notes that the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship is always available to students. She encourages people to take advantage of the resources that they offer as they can provide meaningful experiences.

CSB+SJU Dean of Curriculum and Assessment Karyl Daughters also expresses her excitement for getting the award.

“We are thrilled by this recognition of the outstanding undergraduate research achievements on our campuses. This honor sheds light on the diverse opportunities offered at St. Ben’s and St. John’s, inspiring more students to participate in enriching research experiences,” Daughters said via email.

Daughters gives credit to the staff, faculty and students for all their hard work to earn this award.

“The credit for achieving this award goes to director of Undergraduate Research Lindsey Gunnerson Gutsch and all the faculty and staff mentors and students who engage in high quality scholarly and creative work on our campuses. I have the great privilege of being able to support and amplify those good works,” Daughters said.