Staff Report
For years, UNM has looked for research opportunities that would increase student employment possibilities on campus.
University officials say they believe the Program of Research Opportunities for Undergraduates, PROFOUND, will be the answer to that problem and a lot more.
The program, the first of its kind at UNM, is designed to increase student retention rates, improve communication between faculty and students and provide unity within the University research community, according to a University news release.
UNM is sponsoring a campus-wide grand opening for PROFOUND from 1 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 4 in the SUB Lobo rooms A and B.
"I believe the key word in Program of Research Opportunities For Undergraduates is the word 'opportunities,'" said Theresa L¢pez, program coordinator, in a news release. "We are putting forth new opportunities for UNM undergraduates to explore."
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Lopez said she expects PROFOUND to also serve as a University resource for future funding opportunities.
The grand opening is aimed at acclimating students to the PROFOUND system, which will serve as a one-stop clearinghouse for all externally funded programs on campus that employ students for research.
"Undergraduate study does not have to be limited to attending class, taking notes and remembering the information for the exam," Lopez said of the important role she thinks PROFOUND will play in broadening the education available at UNM.
According to the program's Web site, it will give students and faculty interested in participating in undergraduate research a place to facilitate and build a working relationship.
Interested students can apply online and will be tracked by the office when a faculty member or research group employs them.
"It is a time in students' lives for undergraduates to actively begin taking part in planning their lives," Lopez said. "It is my belief that a handful of students come to college with a clear understanding of what they want to study and what they want to do for the rest of their lives, while the others are still looking."
For some it may cement their choice of careers, others may find that it is not at all what they envisioned and modify their area of study accordingly, Lopez said.
Rob Duncan, associate dean for Research and professor in the Physics and Astronomy department, said UNM receives more than 320 grants a year with a budget for undergraduate pay.
Duncan said the PROFOUND program is going to be an excellent way to leverage UNM's strong research position to help advance its primary undergraduate teaching mission.
He said the program was also designed with University faculty's needs in mind.
Faculty members can browse the online database of interested students and arrange interviews for possible research employment. The program will assist faculty in efforts to secure more sponsored research opportunities for undergraduates and also provide them with a resource to obtain more information on potential faculty research employment opportunities.
"This makes UNM an excellent place for students to get involved in world-class research efforts," Duncan said. "Students who are employed on campus typically have a much higher success rate, both in retention and in GPA."
