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2026 SURF Cohort and Faculty Mentors

Faculty members provide mentorship and valuable experiential learning opportunity through annual SURF program

Nine Student Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) across several disciplines presented their research after spending 10 weeks working on their projects on campus this summer. The SURF program is an opportunity for students to engage in scholarship, research or creative process in collaboration and as modeled by faculty scholars.

"I have never done research before, and this project was built with concepts I didn't really know, so I was scared going into it. But working with Dr. Bauer has been very rewarding. He guided me through the whole process and broke down complex concepts so I could understand them better. I was able to learn a lot about myself as a researcher and also gain new skills in the laboratory and analytically that I'll use in the future," said Junior Chemistry Major, Alyssa Grim.

The SURF program promotes and rewards undergraduate Student Fellow and Faculty Scholar results-driven, collaborative research or creative projects that yield publication and/or presentations. It includes a rigorous process of professional development modeled by faculty, career development opportunities, workshops and experiential learning. Following the program, Student Fellows are expected to present their work at various board meetings and conferences in addition to their cohort presentations.

Alyssa Grim presenting her final chemistry research presentation in collaboration with Dr. Bauer.

"This gave me an opportunity to work with an excellent student outside of just the regular classroom setting. In addition to just doing the research, which was pretty intense and involved a lot of work, we did get to work on some of those skills that you really don't necessarily teach in the classroom," said Associate Professor of Chemistry, Brad Bauer, Ph.D. "Those skills include getting to think like a scientist, being able to tackle problems, reason your way through 'should I do this or that?' Those kinds of little decisions that pop up all the time in research that until you actually do it, you don't get to really have a full appreciation for what it involves."

The program is a grant-funded experience contingent upon the successful completion of the spring semester and registration for the subsequent fall semester. Students may submit one SURF grant per year and receive a $3,000 stipend and free housing. While living on campus, students attend weekly meetings and consultations with their faculty scholar and engage in activities and meals with their cohort.

"We changed things up a little bit this year and did a more interactive first event, and I think that really helped the cohort come together. I'm super impressed with the way that they supported one another," said SURF Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Psychology & Counseling, Erin Way, Ph.D. "They were constantly helping each other, building each other back up. They actually arranged some activities for themselves to do without the faculty to build on that cohort experience. So, I was pleased to hear that many of them are staying in touch and supporting one another as they go forward."

Marcus Ridley working on his SURF physics project with Dr. Teri Price