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Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Gives Students a Platform to Present Their Research

A field of 172 fellows in ¾Ã¾ÃÎçÒ¹ÐßÐßÓ°ÔºÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´ State’s 10th annual Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) showcased their research as they competed in the three-minute presentations. The fields were narrowed down to 51 first-and second-place winners. 

¾Ã¾ÃÎçÒ¹ÐßÐßÓ°ÔºÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´ State is an "R1" Top-Tier Research University.

¾Ã¾ÃÎçÒ¹ÐßÐßÓ°ÔºÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´ State Today was there when the students were announced on Oct. 25 at a ceremony at the Kiva auditorium. 

SURE is sponsored by the Division of Research and Economic Development, the Honors College and the Office of the President. In addition, SURE is supported by several individuals, departments, colleges, institutes, and other organizations.

Students majoring in psychology, computer science, aerospace engineering, fashion design, neuroscience, sociology and other fields gathered at the ¾Ã¾ÃÎçÒ¹ÐßÐßÓ°ÔºÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´ Student Center on Oct. 13-14 to present the research they conducted under the direction of faculty mentors. As a top-tier research university, ¾Ã¾ÃÎçÒ¹ÐßÐßÓ°ÔºÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´ State encourages undergraduate students to work on cutting-edge research with faculty mentors.

Before the winners were announced, ¾Ã¾ÃÎçÒ¹ÐßÐßÓ°ÔºÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´ State President Todd Diacon congratulated the SURE participants and thanked the faculty mentors and administrators in the Research and Economic Development office.

The SURE program, which runs for eight weeks in June and July, provides a $3,200 stipend (40 hours/week) or $1,600 stipend (20 hours/week) to students for their work throughout the program, in addition to offering on-campus housing for participants. Students gain valuable one-on-one experience with a faculty mentor, professional development and scholarship opportunities through student group meetings with fellow SURE participants.

The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience is a great opportunity for undergraduate researchers to work directly with a faculty mentor, gain valuable experience to clarify career and educational goals, enhance research skills and gain academic insight.

Participants in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience competition presented their research Oct. 13-14, 2025.

¾Ã¾ÃÎçÒ¹ÐßÐßÓ°ÔºÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´ State Awarded Prestigious R1 Designation

With the release of the new 2025 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, ¾Ã¾ÃÎçÒ¹ÐßÐßÓ°ÔºÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´ State has once again been awarded the prestigious R1 designation, recognizing ¾Ã¾ÃÎçÒ¹ÐßÐßÓ°ÔºÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´ State as one of the top research universities in the nation. This esteemed classification, which the university first received in 2022, is a testament to ¾Ã¾ÃÎçÒ¹ÐßÐßÓ°ÔºÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´ State’s commitment to excellence in research, innovation and scholarship.

The R1 designation is the highest level of research activity for doctoral universities, placing ¾Ã¾ÃÎçÒ¹ÐßÐßÓ°ÔºÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´ State among an elite group of institutions known for their significant contributions to research and development and the training of doctoral students. With the Carnegie Classifications’ new 2025 Research Activity Designation, ¾Ã¾ÃÎçÒ¹ÐßÐßÓ°ÔºÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´ State is now one of seven universities in Ohio to be designated R1, along with Case Western Reserve University, Ohio State University, Ohio University, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Dayton and the University of Toledo. Only 187 universities in the nation have R1 status, placing ¾Ã¾ÃÎçÒ¹ÐßÐßÓ°ÔºÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´ State in the top 5% of institutions with respect to research activity.

 Find the first and second place winners in each category of the SURE competition .

Find more information about ¾Ã¾ÃÎçÒ¹ÐßÐßÓ°ÔºÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´ State’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience.

POSTED: Thursday, October 16, 2025 02:34 PM
Updated: Friday, October 17, 2025 05:11 PM
WRITTEN BY:
April McClellan-Copeland
PHOTO CREDIT:
April McClellan-Copeland