SC State connects students with undergraduate research opportunities
BECT Institute, Undergraduate Research Office partnership helps students explore research interests and collaborate with faculty
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State University is connecting undergraduate students with faculty research opportunities through a new partnership designed to encourage collaboration across academic disciplines.
The university's Undergraduate Research Office and Institute of Business, Environment, Communications and Transportation (BECT Institute) have partnered to create the Research Ready Series, which helps students explore research opportunities and collaborate with faculty.
Students explored their research interests and learned how they could build confidence and professional skills during the series' first session, Exploring Research, held Oct. 8 in the James E. Clyburn Engineering and Computer Science Complex.
Students explore research opportunities
Jada Jackson, 22, a senior computer science major from Charleston, South Carolina, said the session was informative
“I plan on applying to Clemson’s biomedical data program. So, I wanted to come and try to see if I can get any information that can help me on my research,” Jackson said.
Jackson said her medical history has influenced her research interests.
“Since I was in high school, I had something called idiopathic intracranial hypertension. So, I just want to expand more on that and how hypertension and obesity kind of tie together,” she said.
Jackson said she appreciated learning how she and other students could participate in undergraduate research, including how to apply for four undergraduate research assistant positions through the Undergraduate Research Office.
“You can get anywhere from here. So I feel like this is a good event,” she said.
Elise Harding, 19, a sophomore biology major from Atlanta, said she was particularly interested in research on the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation to improve motor function and other outcomes for some stroke survivors.
That research opportunity was presented by Jacqueline Jones-Brown, an associate professor in SC State's Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology.
“I just feel like that’s very interesting. As a biology major, I can contribute to that with what I want to do in med school. In case I want to do a fellowship or anything, that would be a good step forward for me,” Harding said.
Jones-Brown was among several faculty members who shared information about their research and how students could get involved.
Martin Hair Jr., 22, a senior computer science major from Charlotte, North Carolina, said the session helped him explore research opportunities related to his career goals.
“I have done research before, and I wanted to get more information because I want to pursue a Ph.D. in data science in the future. Part of what I want to research is how we can use data science and machine learning to help with injury prevention,” he said.
“I’m currently on the track and field team. I’ve seen a lot of my teammates and friends have their seasons either end or be impacted by injury. So that’s something I really want to look into,” Hair said.
Partnership expands undergraduate research opportunities
“Many faculty are conducting research, but you may not know how to engage the students. So , we’re trying to bridge that gap and make that connection; it’s about providing support for the students and the faculty simultaneously,” said April J. Thomas, executive director of the Undergraduate Research Office.
The Undergraduate Research Office is developing a Faculty Summer Research Grant that will provide up to $10,000 for a new faculty-led research project in summer 2027.
Thomas said undergraduate student participation will be required and that the application is expected to be available soon.
Barbara Adams is executive director of the BECT Institute, whose mission is to support the university in building and sustaining inclusive programs that foster innovation and educational and career opportunities.
She said the partnership between BECT and the Undergraduate Research Office is expected to increase participation in BECT's Faculty-Student Research Symposium, which brings faculty and students together to develop and present research proposals.
The symposium is scheduled for Feb. 25, with abstracts due Jan. 15.
“We are now an R2 university. So we need to get more of our faculty and students engaged in research. One day we want to move up to R1,” Adams said.
The Carnegie Research 2 (R2) designation recognizes universities that meet established thresholds for research spending and doctoral degrees awarded annually.
SC State exceeded both criteria in 2023, devoting $7.8 million to research and awarding 25 doctoral degrees. The designation positions the university to compete for additional grants and sponsored research opportunities.
New initiatives aim to strengthen research collaboration
Adams also introduced Hope Goodwin as BECT's new program coordinator. Goodwin said the BECT Connect app was created to centralize the institute's activities and initiatives.
“We’re building up the research community, where students and faculty are getting together. So between this department and BECT, we are going to make sure that you guys are made aware of everything that’s available to you,” she said.
Thomas said the partnership aims to strengthen connections among students, faculty and internal and external resources.
“We’re proposing a research academy, a research transcript that will follow the students and a journal publication so that we can let the students know that this is not the ceiling. You can still go higher, but let us teach, train and help you,” she said.
Adams said the proposed research academy could provide a foundation for a research journal featuring work by students and faculty.
“I think that research academy will give us a great backdrop to actually start publishing a research journal, where students and faculty can actually publish their research,” she said.
Adams said the academy would also provide opportunities for faculty to mentor students, with the goal of presenting their collaborative research projects on campus and at regional or national conferences.
Thomas said the university is also considering a partnership with SC State's Office of First-Year Experience to develop a Research 101 course. Another proposed initiative is a summer program to help high school students strengthen their writing and research skills.
These efforts could also contribute to SC State's broader focus on student success by giving students additional opportunities to engage in academic research and develop skills that support their educational goals.
“I think in the interim we can also help with retention and graduation rates,” Thomas said.
For more information about the Undergraduate Research Office and its activities, email uro@scsu.edu.