URF Ambassadors Program

The Utah State University Undergraduate Research Fellow Ambassadors (URF Ambassadors) Program is established to enhance undergraduate research engagement across all academic colleges at Utah State University (USU). The program aims to cultivate a diverse group of student leaders who will foster a greater appreciation for research, promote opportunities for student involvement, and support the mission of the URF program.

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Increase student involvement in undergraduate research.

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Provide a structured platform for communication and collaboration between the Student Research Office and academic colleges.

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Facilitate outreach and engagement activities that promote research opportunities within each college.

Selction and Appointment

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Eligibility

  • Applicants must have completed two semesters of the URF program prior to applying.
  • Applicants must be active URFs in good standing and enrolled at USU during each semester served as ambassador.
  • Preference will be given to students who have previously served as URF ambassadors.
  • Applicants may be considered for the ambassador position of any college for which they are enrolled in a major or minor degree program. Preference will be given to students with a major degree in each college.
  • Applicants may not be serving as ambassadors for any other university program simultaneously, such as the University Honors Program, Admissions Office, or their college. Nor may they serve as the Editor for Curiosity, USU’s Undergraduate Research Journal (though they may serve on its editorial board).
 
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Application Process

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Application cycles will be run within one semester when a position becomes vacant and will be open for ten business days. These will be advertised to all eligible URFs for that position via email.

Applicants must submit, via email:

  • A cover letter:
    • Explaining their motivation for becoming an ambassador.
    • Identifying a challenge that students in their college might face in becoming involved in research.
    • Outlining an example of how, as an ambassador, they might help students overcome this challenge.
  • A CV highlighting their research, academic, and service experience.
  • The selection will be competitive, with one ambassador chosen from each academic college.

A selection committee consisting of the Associate Vice President for Research, the Student Research Program Coordinator, and the applicant’s college Undergraduate Research Advisory Board (URAB) faculty representative will review each applicant and may choose to conduct interviews or request references as part of the selection process. Positions will be offered within fifteen business days of the application deadline.

 
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Appointment

Successful candidates will be appointed as URF Ambassadors for their respective academic colleges and will serve until graduation, provided they meet the program requirements. This is a 9-month role covering each fall and spring semester, with no responsibilities or compensation during the summer terms.

Students who take a leave of absence from Utah State University or the URF program will be replaced in an open application cycle and thus must reapply on their return if they are still eligible when their college’s position becomes available again.

Responsibilities and Requirements

Time Commitment

Commit to 20 hours per semester of service to the URF program, which includes:

  • Four one-hour meetings with the Student Research Office.
  • Four service hours for Office of Research programs.
  • Two hours of liaison meeting with their college’s URAB faculty representative.
  • Four hours of outreach efforts within their college as identified in collaboration with the URAB representative.
  • Six hours dedicated to organizing and leading an activity for the URF program.

Activity Examples

Service Hours: Staffing Fall and Spring Student Research Symposia, central university recruitment fairs, tabling at events, doing interviews.

Outreach Hours: Engaging with students at club and society events, running tabling sessions in college buildings, presenting research opportunities in introductory courses.

URF Activities: A star gazing party at the Observatory, a cooking class or potluck, a hike focusing on native plants, a book club, a painting or pottery evening.

Compensation

 Financial Award

Each ambassador will receive a financial award of $250 per semester for their service.
The financial award will be disbursed at the end of each semester as a P10 lump-sum wage, representing approximately $12 per hour.

 Payment Conditions

The financial award is contingent upon meeting all program requirements for the semester and submitting a brief report to the Office of Research.

Program Goals
  1. To foster a strong sense of community and involvement in undergraduate research across all academic disciplines.
  2. To provide ambassadors with leadership experience and professional development opportunities.
  3. To create a supportive network that encourages and sustains student participation in research activities. 

Program Evaluation
Ambassadors will be asked to compile brief reports indicating that they have met the requirements at the conclusion of each semester. Ambassadors' performance and contributions will be evaluated based on their adherence to the responsibilities and their impact on promoting undergraduate research as determined by the Associate Vice President for Research, the Student Research Program Coordinator, and the URAB faculty representative for their colleges.

To apply, email your cover letter and CV to UR@usu.edu