An Illinois State University team led by Dr. Gina Hunter, alongside undergraduate students Brenna Long and Tara Geyer, has earned the prestigious honor of participating in the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) 2024-25 professional development program titled Scholars Transforming Through Research (STR) Program. This program, designed to elevate the role of undergraduate research in fostering advocacy and communication, selected just 63 teams nationwide this year.
The STR program trains participants to translate complex research into accessible language and emphasizes the societal impact of their work. Teams also serve as CUR Advocacy Ambassadors, engaging with policymakers, funding agencies, and media to advocate for research’s value in addressing real-world challenges. Hunter’s team’s inclusion underscores their commitment to advancing undergraduate research and public scholarship.
Along with participating in a multi-month program, this team will travel to Washington D.C. to meet with elected governmental officials and staff. The team has created a Hatch campaign to raise funds for this travel. You can find their Hatch campaign at the following address if you would like to help support their travel here.
For further details about the program and the full list of participants, you can visit CUR’s STR Program page and the official 2024 participant announcement.
