Gifts to Undergraduate Research contribute to...
At the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning (OSEEL), we champion undergraduate research across diverse settings—classrooms, communities, fields, labs, art studios, stages, computers, and libraries. We support students from all majors in finding, securing, and excelling in these enriching experiences.
Undergraduate research is a high-impact practice that enables students to:
- Develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Build meaningful relationships with faculty mentors
- Strengthen their graduate school applications
- Demonstrate strong analytical skills to potential employers
- Enhance their communication skills, particularly through presentations at the annual NIU Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement, where all funded researchers showcase their work
When you give to undergraduate research scholarships, you empower impactful experiences like these:
Melanie Lytell: “Conducting research at NIU has deeply strengthened both my education and my overall experience by allowing me to bridge classroom learning with real-world application. Through research, I have learned how to think critically about complex problems, analyze data rigorously and communicate findings effectively. It has challenged me to take ownership of my learning, ask deeper questions and engage with material at a level that lectures alone cannot provide.”
Iliana Williams: “The funding I received had a large impact on me as I presented my research. Without receiving this funding, I would not have been able to afford to travel to the conference and present my research. Attending this conference allowed me to further my interest in the topic of my research. Additionally, I was able to attend talks hosted my scholars in the field of my research. Through attending these talks I learned what experts' interests and basis of their research is which has helped foster my understanding of sub-fields of Black Studies. As someone who values my education and the importance of learning, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to open myself up to information I never would have thought to research through attending this conference.”
