At UNC Greensboro, research opportunities begin early – sometimes as soon as a student arrives on campus.
Each year, around 70 high-achieving students are selected to join the Undergraduate Research Fellows Program. The program introduces first-year students to the world of research, mentorship, and creative inquiry across disciplines.
“Being able to talk with professors who are engaging in research in biology and psychology was eye-opening,” says Kaylen Williamson, a current fellow and first-year planning to major in those subjects. “I didn’t really know what research was from a holistic view, but now I understand what I can do.”
How it works
First-year students participate in a one-credit, seven-week course that introduces them to the research culture at UNCG. Through lab tours, faculty and graduate student panels, library workshops, and networking events, they learn how to get involved in research, discovering the many paths available to them – often ones they didn’t know existed.
“The program was created to give students a sense of home and belonging,” says Dr. Mitch Croatt, Interim Director of the Undergraduate Research, Scholarship & Creativity Office (URSCO). “One of the best ways to do that is by integrating them into research.”
The course is designed to demystify research and make it accessible. Students don’t need to have a research idea or prior experience to get started. They’re shown how to connect with faculty, explore different fields, and understand that research isn’t limited to lab coats and microscopes – it spans the arts, humanities, sciences, and beyond.
“When we did lab tours, it wasn’t just chemistry and biology,” explains Croatt, who is a chemistry and biochemistry professor. “We toured the art building. We brought faculty and graduate students from music, art, psychology, and political science. A lot of times when people think about research, they picture someone in a lab coat mixing chemicals. But our office reflects the full spectrum of inquiry.”
URSCO assistant director Traci Miller emphasizes how the program helps students navigate what she and Croatt call the “hidden curriculum” of college life. “Most first-year students wouldn’t even know what to seek out. The research fellows are learning so many new things they wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to discover.”
Although Williamson hasn’t joined a lab yet, the program has equipped her with the tools to take the next step. “I’ve contacted some biology professors about joining their labs in the spring,” she says. “I never would have understood how to get into a lab if it wasn’t for the Fellows Program. They taught us how to email professors, go to their office hours, and make ourselves known.”
She’s especially excited about the possibility of joining Dr. Ayalew Osena’s lab, which focuses on genetically modifying plants to support sustainability in underdeveloped populations.
“I’m also looking at labs studying bee populations and wildlife,” she says. “Research was one of the main reasons I wanted to go to UNCG.”
Skills beyond the lab
Williamson also found mentorship through the program’s instructors. “Ms. Miller and Dr. Croatt have already been such great mentors,” she says. “They hold workshops on writing abstracts, reviewing literature, and more. They’re personal and approachable, and they really want us to succeed.”
For Renee Ejindu, a past research fellow and current student, the program was a gateway to confidence and connection. “Networking is definitely one of the biggest skills I gained,” she says.
She credits the program with helping her master professional communication.
“We had a whole day in class dedicated to writing emails – how to reach out to someone you know, someone you’ve met once, or someone you’ve never spoken to. I used those templates constantly. It gave me the courage to grab opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise.”
She says mentorship is one of the reasons she’s glad she chose to attend UNCG. “At first, I wasn’t sure about my commitment to accept the scholarship, but now I know it was the best decision I’ve ever made. The faculty here root for your success – even after you leave their class.”
Advice from the pros
Ejindu’s advice to new students is simple: “Take advantage of everything. Go to events. Make friends. Don’t stress too much. Your first year is full of opportunities, and you’ll miss them if you’re too focused on doing everything perfectly.”
Miller and Croatt emphasized the importance of active participation.
“Don’t just go through the motions,” Croatt says. “Ask questions. Go to office hours. Participate. The more active someone is with their education, the more they get out of it. You can be exceptional if you choose to be exceptional.”
Ultimately, the Undergraduate Research Fellows Program is about unlocking opportunities and creating pathways to success.
“You don’t have to know everything,” says Miller. “Just take the first step. Whether you go to graduate school or into the workforce, research helps you develop so many skills. It’s not just for future academics – it’s for anyone who wants to grow.”
By Sierra Collins
Photography by Sean Norona
