Purpose: Undergraduate Research in CAFNR Research is a high impact educational practice that provides a program that serves as an introduction to the multi-faceted nature of Agriculture that will be needed to expand the student’s experiences for successful careers in the agricultural fields; and increases the awareness of the importance of agriculture in our daily lives.
Scope: Undergraduate research complements classroom activities and aids in improving our students’ critical thinking, problem solving and communication skillsets. Thus, students with an interest in performing research are paired with faculty and staff scientists to become immersed in research related to real life issues. These include issues like considering the economic and technologies needed for providing healthy and nutritious food for the predicted 10 billion people who will populate the world by 2050. Hence, CAFNR Research students will: 1) gain hands-on experiences and help to develop skills that prepare them for graduate school, professional careers and to gain leadership skills; 2) began to learn how to adapt to changes and understand the importance of teamwork and become more confident in delivering a technical presentation; 3) be competitive and confident in presenting research findings at local and national research conferences; and 4) secure professional development activities through campus-wide opportunities.
Value: High Impact Practices, like other Undergraduate Experiential Learning Experiences, are a collection of strategies used to improve the retention and persistence rates of undergraduate students that ultimately lead to completion of desired degrees. HIPs activities include participation in studying abroad, internships, professional development conferences, student organizations as well as undergraduate research. These are committed strategies used to improve the retention and persistence rates of undergraduate students that ultimately lead to completion of desired degrees. Hence, involvement in CAFNR Research activities prepare well rounded, career minded students who are ready to successfully perform in the agricultural fields.