The primary mission of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is to teach, not to conduct research. However, across the United States community colleges are beginning to realize the benefits of independent research opportunities for their students. Numerous studies and articles have recognized that student research benefits the students by improving their knowledge in the chosen discipline, their writing and verbal skills, and self-confidence; and it enhances their problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills.
Implementation of undergraduate research programs at Virginia’s community colleges will stimulate curriculum improvements. Students transferring to four-year colleges and universities will have transcripts showing their enrollment in more rigorous courses and their involvement in research-related classes and activities, which advances their knowledge and experience. Further, students can establish important relationships with transfer institutions through community college research activities.
Development and implementation of undergraduate research also leads to better use of the college’s resources (e.g., labs and libraries) as students engaged in research spend more time using these facilities. Independent research can open opportunities for outside funding. It also opens new doors for community connections and support of the college.
Undergraduate research at community colleges also impacts faculty. Faculty involved in student research are more engaged in the college. Faculty indicated they would participate in research conducted by students if they were encouraged to do so by the administration. Every discipline can be considered for undergraduate student research experiences. The faculty are more likely to engage in independent student research projects if they have a Model to follow.
A Model for the Implementation and Engagement of Independent Research by Community College Students has been developed and can help to achieve the VCCS and the College’s goals. This Model provides the suggestions and processes for faculty and administrators to follow for successful implementation of such independent student research.
Contact Richard Groover for a copy of the Model for the Implementation and Engagement of Independent Research by Community College Students.
--Richard Groover
Assistant Dean, School of Mathematics and Science
2 comments:
Richard,
I applaud your efforts to enhance the scholarly work we conduct at JSRCC. It is exciting to imagine we might add to the world’s body of knowledge, in addition to teaching it. I endorse your suggestions without reservation.
In light of the current budget austerity that we face, I cannot recommend assigning resources to research initiatives of this nature, however there may be a strategic approach where everyone wins. I suggest the following funding mechanism:
• Various grant sources are traditionally available (Perkins, NSF, etc.) to community colleges. In our future efforts to receive grant awards we could include a research component to appropriate grants. For example, measures of student achievement resulting from grant-funded research activities would adequately support qualitative research. Alternately, quantitative empirical research could be conducted within many occupational-technical programs.
I don’t suggest we position student research as the focus of grant proposals, but there should certainly be consideration of collaborative faculty/student research as a component of grants.
I also believe that the need for an IRB should be further considered. Perhaps it could exist as a standing college committee.
Finally, I believe that some of us might benefit from support in constructing research models (or overseeing those developed by students) and other research activities (data collection, analysis, dissemination). Do you envision a cadre of peer mentors to support our researchers?
From Richard --
Regarding: "assigning resources to research"
Response by RSG: no funds are requested by this Model. Current facilities and equipment may support independent research if a professor wishes to be engaged in such. Outside grant funding supporting the professor as the lead PI (with student learning while participating) may also provide outside funds for the College.
Regarding: "Do you envision a cadre of peer mentors to support our researchers?"
Response by RSG: I think that student-peer mentors might not work at JSRCC because of the time limit students are here. I do think that mentoring during a project is best handled by the lead faculty person (1 person) and the relationship the student establishes with the professor (1 person) at the 4-year institution as the Model suggests.
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