The mission of the P2R program is to guide EOP students in the Humanities or Social Sciences in exploring, developing, implementing, and excelling in undergraduate research. Each year, the program attracts young scholars with perspective that promises to transform the academy through research that critically examines issues of social and/or environmental justice. The goal of P2R is to guide students to develop a foundation upon which to build their scholarly identity.

P2R maintains a cohort of 30 students for a two-quarter commitment. During the Winter and Spring quarters, P2R scholars are paired up with a Graduate Student Mentor, themselves Ph.D. students in the Social Sciences, for guidance developing their research interest and navigating relationships with professors and graduate students. P2R scholars attend a series of information workshops and presentations related to the graduate school application process. Mentees will receive a $300 research stipend upon successful completion of the program.

Eligibility
Participants in the Pathways to Research Program will be selected on a competitive basis. Eligible students must:

a) Be EOP students majoring in the social sciences;
b) Have sophomore, junior, or senior standing;
c) Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above;
d) Have completed the C1 and C2 writing requirement by the end of Fall quarter; and
e) Demonstrate an interest in getting involved in research and pursuing a graduate degree

Program Description
During bi-weekly meetings with their graduate mentor, P2R scholars will determine their short and long term goals related to exploration of and involvement in research. Because this is a self-pace program, discipline and student follow-up will be essential and a key ingredient for successful completion of the program. Students should anticipate a 10hr/week commitment that includes outside reading and research. Because students will vary on their entry and exit points, the topics and skills students explore with their mentors will include but are not limited to the following:

Stage 1: Developing Research Interests
Graduate mentor will work with student to explore research interests and the overall goals and components of research including library research skills.

Stage 2: Researching Faculty and Research Opportunities
Graduate Mentor will work with student to research faculty’s ongoing work and read work related to their interests. Exploration of outside summer opportunities will also be included.

Stage 3: Contacting faculty members
Once interests are developed, the Graduate Mentor will work with the student to start approaching faculty members regarding their interests and participation in research labs and independent study research units in their respective departments.

Stage 4: Developing Research questions and Argument
Depending on students’ role in the research project, the Graduate Mentor will guide the student in developing their own research question(s) based on already existing data. Students will be informed about senior theses opportunities as well as conference proposal opportunities. Mentors will assist students on writing annotated bibliographies, developing the major components of a research paper.

Stage 5: Exploring Graduate School
Graduate Mentor will guide student in researching graduate programs, developing a strong CV and becoming a competitive candidate.

Keywords: Social Sciences; undergraduate research; graduate student mentors; acadamic year; EOP; graduate school plan

Contact: Maurice Nicholson