The Office of Undergraduate Research is pleased to announce the Faculty Mentoring Award to honor an Undergraduate Research Mentor for his/her success in mentoring undergraduate students in research. We are accepting nominations and self-nominations. The OUR Advisory Committee members are eligible for the award.  Please send all nominations to cbahrim@lamar.edu with the subject line “OUR-Faculty Mentor Award 2022”.

Deadline for submitting your complete application package: 8 p.m., March 1 

Application Materials

Applicant's Letter of Interest

The mentor will provide an explanation of all their mentoring activities involving undergraduate researcher(s). The applicant’s letter should explicitly respond in a narrative manner to the three Evaluation Criteria listed below and should include a brief discussion of the applicant’s mentoring goals and philosophy. (Three-page limit).

Curriculum vitae

List only information relevant to applying for the award, including brief bio with contact and education info, the names of undergraduate students mentored and their research projects (title, program, and period). Offer clear information about the research course number(s), if appropriate, presentations given by these students, publications and awards received as result of the common research effort, etc. Please follow the instructions under the Evaluation Criteria below. (Three-page limit).

Letter from a colleague

A recommendation letter from a colleague of the applicant who can address the applicant’s abilities and performances in mentoring students in undergraduate research projects. (Two-page limit).

Letters from students

Two letters of support from students who were mentored as undergraduates by the applicant. At least one such letter must be from a student who was mentored by the applicant within the past three years. The student submits the letter by email in one attached file named 'Mentor_Name-FMA_2022' to cbahrim@lamar.edu with the subject line “OUR-FMA-2022." (It should be one page limit for each letter).

Submit all three items (application letter, curriculum vitae, and colleague letter) electronically as a single PDF file named “faculty_name-FMA-2022." to cbahrim@lamar.edu with the subject line “OUR-FMA-2022."

The OUR Advisory Committee will review the completed applications and determine the award winner. The winning mentor will be recognized at the Annual Undergraduate Research Expo scheduled on March 9 (12 - 2:30 p.m. in Landes Auditorium). The winner will receive a certificate and an award of $500 from O.U.R.

Main Evaluation Criteria

Below is a list of criteria for evaluation of the applications for the OUR Faculty Mentoring Award.

1. Evidence of undergraduate student (here below indicated as 'student') mentoring

1. The names and total number of students mentored in research or creative activities over an unlimited timeframe as supporting evidence.
2. Research settings (SURF grants, OUR grants, McNair projects, Honors projects), name and number of research courses taught as independent projects with students, honors thesis, etc., and other relevant documentation per student.

2. Evidence of professional development of students mentored

1. The number of students presenting their work at conferences and meetings. National and international conferences are generally considered more important than internal or regional conferences. Give full reference of conference presentations by students mentored.
2. The number of publications co-authored or single-authored by student mentees of the applicant. Publications in discipline-specific journals are considered more important than those in general undergraduate research journals. Give full reference of publications authored or co-authored by students mentored.
3. Evidence of activities within the research programs that develop students into effective researchers as they are going through the experience. These activities should provide support that enables student success. Examples: structured mentoring programs (like pairing with more advanced students), regular faculty-student meetings, expectations for students to write research reports and to disseminate research findings.
4. Reflective discussion about mentoring goals and philosophy should be included in the letter of interest.

3. Evidence of impact and student success.

1. 1. Impact of research experience on post-graduate success including either graduate school, professional school or career. We are looking for a meaningful influence on the research experience on post-graduate success.
   2. Awards received by students for their presentations or publications inside and outside Lamar University.
   3. Awards or grants received by faculty for mentoring students. This includes OUR grants, SURF grants, McNair, CICE, REU, etc. Travel grants to national labs or other universities.
   4. Publications or invited presentations given by the faculty member about mentoring students.
   5. Examples of the impact of the mentoring experience on student’s ongoing success should be included into the letter of interest by the applicant and the letters of support written by the colleague and students.

All application packets are due to the Office of Undergraduate Research by March 1. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Please submit the proposal electronically to cbahrim@lamar.edu with the subject line “OUR-FMA-2022”. All submissions should be in one file, which should be named: ” faculty_name-FMA-2022“.

Important Dates

• March 1 – Application Deadline: 8 p.m.
• March 9 – Finalists of FMA will be recognized: Noon - 2:30 p.m.
• March 30 – Award Notification
• April 13 – Winner receives Award (at EXPO)