Four Jackson State University students are preparing to embark upon a major research experience at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Education.
Selected to participate in the Summer Education Research Internship (SERI) program at UCI’s School of Education are Kayla Ballard (Social Science Education), LaQuinte Campbell (Elementary Education), Leonard Ealy (Elementary Education) and Sheila Malone (Mississippi Public Policy), previously a Professional Interdisciplinary Studies major. They will start their eight-week research journey June 19.
The students submitted competitive applications, and they have been paired with faculty mentors at the UCI School of Education who will guide their research project throughout the summer.
The Summer Education Research Internship (SERI) program is designed to mentor undergraduate students in education research and the graduate application process. SERI has three goals: 1) foster student interns’ research interests and skills; 2) strengthen the undergraduate to graduate studies pipeline; and 3) build institutional capacity to serve underrepresented students.
Housing and flight expenses will be covered by the UCI School of Education through the UC-HBCU grant. Interns will also receive a $4,000 stipend to cover additional expenses. The most promising summer interns will be encouraged to continue graduate-level studies, including at UC, where graduate fellowships for UCI-HBCU summer program alumni are available.
[pullquote]’I never thought that I’d have the opportunity to do something like travel to California to participate in a research program’ — (Leonard Ealy)[/pullquote]One of the students invited to participate in the program confessed that as a community college transfer student he couldn’t foresee the possibilities. When asked what he hoped to gain from the SERI experience, Ealy said, “When I chose Elementary Education as a major, I never thought that I’d have the opportunity to do something like travel to California to participate in a research program. For me, this summer research gives me the opportunity to broaden my horizon in the field of education.”
Campbell explained her reasons for applying to the SERI program: “I saw the SERI program as an opportunity to travel, network and gain more knowledge about educational research. I believe the work that I do while in the program will add tremendous value to my career because I’m learning how not only to be a consumer of educational research but to be a contributor to the field as well.”
For more information on summer research opportunities, visit the SERI website: https://sites.google.com/a/uci.edu/uciseri/home or contact Dr. Jie Ke at jie.ke@jsums.edu or Dr. Deidre L. Wheaton at deidre.l.wheaton@jsums.edu.