"Creating an institution of first choice for Alaskans requires the development of an institutional culture of discovery--research and creativity-- at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Discovery, engagement, and accountability are central to the success of UAA as an institution of first choice. Incorporating discovery into the entry level of higher education represents a paradigm shift meant to engage students in the process of critical thinking, inquiry, and systematic research early in their experience to help mold objectivity, creativity and civic responsibility in our graduates."
-- Task Force Recommendation (2002)
The Task Force on Undergraduate Research and Scholarship focuses on UAA's mission as a "frontier of learning, creativity, and discovery” as it applies to undergraduate education in general, and, more specifically, to initiatives and activities relating to undergraduate research and scholarship. Composed of university-wide faculty representatives, and chaired by the Faculty Associate for Undergraduate Research, the Task Force is charged with making recommendations to the Dean of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship for creating and implementing opportunities for the following:
- fostering undergraduate research as an integral element of the undergraduate experience at UAA
- promoting a culture of inspired learning and engaged teaching through the integration of research and scholarship across the curriculum
- developing, highlighting and supporting an active pool of faculty mentors across all the schools and colleges
- developing approaches to enhance and coordinate existing undergraduate research and scholarship award programs and the funding for those programs
- promoting the participation of students and faculty mentors in the Undergraduate Research & Discovery Symposium
- providing leadership to advance faculty opportunities and incentives to integrate research/creative activities inside and outside of their classrooms
2009-2010 TASK FORCE ON UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH & SCHOLARSHIP
CHAIR
Kenrick Mock, Faculty Associate for Undergraduate Research
Associate Professor, Computer Science
MEMBERS
Eric Murphy, Associate Professor, Psychology
Diane Erickson, Assistant Professor, Honors College
Mark Carper, Assistant Professor, Geology/Environmental Studies
Paola Banchero, Assistant Professor, Journalism and Public Communications
Page Brannon, Assistant Professor, Consortium Library
Tracey Burke, Associate Professor, Social Work
Sharon Chamard, Associate Professor, Justice
E.J. David, Assistant Professor, Psychology
Khrys Duddleston, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Chad Farrell, Assistant Professor, Sociology
Diane Hirshberg, Associate Professor, Education & ISER
Francisco Miranda, Associate Professor, Languages
Nadine Parker, Assistant Professor, Nursing
Maureen O'Malley, Associate Professor, Nursing
Mark Cole, Instructor, Communications
Don Rearden, Assistant Professor, Developmental Studies
Oliver Hedgepeth, Associate Professor, Logistics
Timothy Jester, Associate Professor, Elementary Education
Jens Munk, Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering
Dennis Valenzeno, Director, WWAMI Biomedical Program
Jeff Welker, Director, ENRI and Biological Sciences
Amanda Fitzgerald, Undergraduate Representative
