The up-and-comers of the research world are making their mark at Cleveland State University (CSU), where undergraduate researchers are stepping up to showcase their summer's work. The Undergraduate Summer Research Award (USRA) Program, a piece of CSU's puzzle under the 'Cleveland State University United' strategic plan, is bringing forward the 2025 USRA Poster Session. Set for Thursday, Sept. 18, from noon to 3 p.m., in the Student Center Atrium, the event will put nearly 70 posters on display.
True to the mission of fostering student development, the USRA program is more than just research; it's a mentorship and career development opportunity. Students, drawn into the depths of their subjects of interest, receive the sort of one-on-one guidance from faculty mentors that is invaluable, in the truest sense of the term. "Undergraduate research provides students with a tremendous opportunity to investigate a subject that is of interest to them and, with the help of a faculty member with deep expertise and experience, apply their skills and learn new ones," Ben Ward, director of research, development, and ethics at CSU, said in a statement obtained by Cleveland State University (CSU).
The program's benefits go beyond academics. Through additional seminars on research ethics, presentation skills, and career planning, these young researchers are being equipped with tools for success both in and out of academia. It's not just about the science or the math, it's about problem solving and communicative ability—skills craved by employers across fields.
The ethos of the USRA program is one of enkindling a research passion that often extends past undergraduate studies. Alumni have embarked on careers investigating everything from gravitational waves to the enigmatic world of particle physics. "Scholarly research requires problem solving, organization and attention to detail, and the ability to interpret and communicate results," Ward noted, according to CSU News. "These are skills that employers are looking for and abilities that students will utilize throughout their lives."
As the Student Center Atrium buzzes with intellectual vigor come September 18, attendees will encounter a realm where theory meets application. Faculty judging the posters will have the task of selecting the top works for cash prizes, yet each participant leaves with something more enduring than paper tender, an experience, a potentially career-defining moment, and perhaps a spark igniting a journey of discovery that will span lifetimes.
