Writing a grant? Save time and copy boilerplate language about programs that support undergraduate student success.
Students Assessing Teaching and Learning (SATAL)
At the UC Merced Center for Engaged Teaching and Learning, undergraduates in the Students Assessing Teaching and Learning (SATAL) program partner with faculty to conduct assessment research projects. SATAL students work in teams with faculty to explore pedagogy and curriculum, centering student experiences and perspectives to support inclusive classroom practices (Signorini & Pohan, 2019). The program uses a wide range of assessment tools to gather student feedback on learning and engagement throughout the term.
SATAL undergraduate researchers receive ongoing professional development on how to gather, analyze, and report instructional data, such as student engagement, learning activities, and instructional time use. Students apply evidence-based tools including Small Group Instructional Diagnosis (SGID), Classroom Observation Protocol for Undergraduate STEM (COPUS), focus groups, interviews, and surveys to provide confidential, actionable feedback to instructors.
References
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Signorini, A. (2023). Design Study of a Student-Faculty Partnership Program Implementing Assessment as an Equitable Pedagogical Practice at a Research-Intensive MSI. Doctoral Dissertation, California State University, Stanislaus. ProQuest. http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100008134
- Signorini, A., & Pohan, C. (2019). Exploring the impact of the Students Assessing Teaching and Learning program. International Journal for Students as Partners, 3(2), 139–148. https://doi.org/10.15173/ijsap.v3i2.3683
For more information: Contact Adriana Signorini at asignorini@ucmerced.edu.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC)
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC) at UC Merced was established in Spring 2014 to encourage and support faculty-mentored undergraduate research across all disciplines. UC Merced is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and Minority-Serving Institution, with over 70% of students identifying as members of underrepresented groups.
Students in UROC programs participate in the nine-week Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI), conducting faculty-mentored research while attending graduate school preparation and professional development workshops. The program fosters peer networking, academic skill-building, and pathway development toward graduate education and research careers.
Weekly workshops focus on:
- Graduate school admissions, CV and résumé review, and writing for publication
- Abstract development and research communication
- Journal article analysis and library research training
- Lab and fire safety certification provided by Environmental Health and Safety
- Technical skills bootcamps such as MATLAB, Python, R, ArcGIS, and wet lab techniques
- Discussions on impostor syndrome, resilience, and research ethics
- Networking events, graduate admissions fairs, and social activities
- Mentorship from current UC Merced graduate students
- Participation in the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium
UROC conducts outreach and recruitment across disciplines through collaborations with student organizations, Research Week events, and ongoing communication with faculty mentors and new faculty.
Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI)
UROC hosts a series of summer workshops that support undergraduate researchers. Faculty may register students for participation in SURI, which runs from early June through early August.
- Full-day orientation for UROC and partner program participants
- General lab safety and fire safety training
- Graduate school preparation and professional development workshops
- Research ethics training and certification
- Networking and outreach events with graduate programs
- Reflective writing support and developmental summary guidance
- Participation in the Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium
Research Mentorship Training Badge
Faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars mentoring undergraduate researchers are required to complete training in effective research mentoring. Teaching Commons provides an online mentoring module based in part on Entering Mentoring: A Seminar to Train a New Generation of Scientists by Handelsman et al., developed with support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
The training reinforces best practices for communication, goal-setting, professional development mentoring, conflict resolution, fostering independence, and supporting research progress.
