Student Research Assistant Program
Future Applications
Applications for the Summer 2023 and FY 2023-2024 SRAP cycles will open in Spring 2023!
- Summer 2023 SRAP Application: Due March 31, 2023.
For projects during the Summer 2023 semester. - FY23-24 SRAP Application: Due April 14, 2023.
For projects during the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters.
Proposals are accepted for research or career-related projects that utilize undergraduate students on tasks which are related to the student’s major.
The student must be utilized in ways which are not solely clerical or secretarial, and project director(s) must be proficient in the project research or career area in order to provide appropriate mentoring to the SRAP student. Funds in the past have been used to hire students as research assistants, media relations and marketing assistants, teachers, trainers, student anchors and lab technicians, as long as there is a research focus.
Purpose
The Student Research Assistant Program (SRAP) enables faculty and staff to employ undergraduates to assist in research or other college-related work. There are currently two SRAP programs per year: one running during the Fall-Spring semesters and a second Summer SRAP program that runs specifically during the summer semesters.
The purpose of the Student Research Assistant Program is to encourage student participants to complete their college careers at the University of West Georgia. It achieves this through enhancing their learning experience, increasing their research and career skills in their chosen fields of study, and engaging them in activities and mentoring relationships that improve their quality of student life.
In addition to reducing undergraduate attrition rates, SRAP projects are intended to meet at least one of the following goals:
- Contribute in some significant way to the quality of life on campus.
- Advance a recognized academic or research project.
- Promote the University of West Georgia and enhance its reputation.
Overview
The Student Research Assistant Program (SRAP) was established in 1986 in connection with A Day and the Alumni Council fundraising. The program moved under the Office of Undergraduate Research in Academic Year 2012-2013. SRAP currently serves to provide faculty with funding to hire undergraduate students to work on research-related projects within their academic disciplines.
Funded Projects:
- Summer 2022
- 2022-2023 SRAP
- 2021-2022 SRAP Projects (PDF)
- 2020-2021SRAP Projects (PDF)
- Summer 2020 Projects (PDF)
- 2019-2020 SRAP Projects (PDF)
- Summer 2019 Projects (PDF)
- 2018-2019 SRAP Projects (PDF)
- 2017-2018 SRAP Projects (PDF)
- 2016-2017 SRAP Projects (PDF)
- 2015-2016 SRAP Projects (PDF)
- 2014-2015 SRAP Projects (PDF)
- 2013-2014 SRAP Projects (PDF)
- 2012-2013 SRAP Projects (PDF)
The SRAP Committee is charged with overseeing the Student Research Assistant Program.
- The responsibilities of the committee include the following:
- Creating and using procedures that screen job funding requests in accordance with the goals of SRAP
- Ensuring that the funds generated in the program are not used in ways that replace money currently funded by the university for similar purposes, such as the Work Study Program, student or graduate assistantships, co-ops jobs, etc
- Creating and using channels of communication, procedures and deadlines that make the funds clearly accessible to both students and faculty/staff and that use the funds for maximum benefit to both
- Maintaining a balance between previously funded projects and new projects
- Achieving and maintaining quality in the program by annually evaluating each project funded.
Student Work Advisory Committee:
| Name | Department | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jeffrey Zamostny | SRAP Administrator/Honors College | jzamostn@westga.edu |
| Dr. Natasha Ramsay-Jordan | Education: Dept of Early Childhood through Secondary Education | njordan@westga.edu |
| Melanie Hildebrandt | Business: Department of Economics/RCOB | mhildebr@westga.edu |
| Dr. Gavin Lee | Social Sciences, Civic Engagement, and Public Service | gavinl@westga.edu |
| Dr. Andrew Edelman | Science/STEM: Dept of Mathematics, Sciences, and Technology/CACSI | aedelman@westga.edu |
| Perry Kirk | Arts: Dept of Art, History, and Philosophy/CACSI | pkirk@westga.edu |
| Caroline McWhorter | Library: Ingram Library | caroline@westga.edu |
| Dr. Molly McCullers | Humanities: Dept of Art, History, and Philosophy/CACSI | mmculle@westga.edu |
| Dr. Kathleen Morales | School of Nursing | kmorales@westga.edu |
| Dr. Melanie Conrad | School of Communication, Film, and Media | mconrad@westga.edu |
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Dr. Jeff Zamostny, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research at jzamostn@westga.edu.
Available Student Research Assistant Positions
Available positions are often posted through the Office of Career and Graduate School Connections website. You may search for available jobs, including Student Research Assistant positions by clicking here: UWG Careers
Contact
The program is administered through the Honors College and the Office of Undergraduate Research.
Dr. Jeffrey Zamostny - Director, Office of Undergraduate Research
1601 Maple Street
Carrollton, GA 30118
678-839-6636
Email: jzamostn@westga.edu
For Faculty
2023-2024 Proposal Information
Applications deadlines:
- Summer 2023: March 31, 2023
- AY 2023-2024: April 14, 2023
Who's eligible to apply? Faculty, administrative staff members OR students working in conjunction with a faculty or staff member are eligible to submit proposals for projects which will generate student work opportunities (funding is only for undergraduate student salaries).
- Proposals are accepted for research or career-related projects that utilize undergraduate students on tasks which are related to the student’s major.
- The student must be utilized in ways which are not solely clerical or secretarial.
- The project director(s) must be proficient in the project research or career area in order to provide appropriate mentoring to the SRAP student.
- Funds in the past have been used to hire students as research assistants, media relations and marketing assistants, teachers, trainers, student anchors and lab technicians, as long as there is a research focus.
When is the deadline? April 14, 2023 (for Summer 2023 SRAP, deadline is March 31, 2023)
To apply, follow the steps below:
- Go here: https://westga.infoready4.com/
- Click on the Student Research Assistant Program Application for the upcoming academic year.
- Read all instructions and then click on the "Apply" button on the right side of the page under "Application Tools"
- Click on "Login for University of West Georgia Users" (at the top of the page) and log in with your UWG credentials.
- Complete the application and upload a proposal (6 pages or less) by the deadline date.
Need help? Questions should be directed to Dr. Jeffrey Zamostny, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, jzamostn@westga.edu.
Requirements and Information
OVERVIEW
The Student Research Assistant Program enables faculty and staff to employ undergraduate students to assist in research or other college-related work. There are currently two SRAP programs per year: one running during the Fall-Spring semesters and a second Summer SRAP program that runs specifically during the summer semesters.
The purpose of the Student Research Assistant Program is to encourage students to participate in research and other educational opportunities anchored to their chosen fields of study in order to enhance their learning experience, improve their quality of life, advance their academic research skills, and promote the University of West Georgia. The program will also help diminish the attrition rates among under classmen at the University of West Georgia while accomplishing at least one of the following goals:
- Contribute in some significant way to the quality of life on campus
- Advance some recognized academic or research project
- Promote the institution and enhance its reputation
Who's eligible to apply? Faculty, administrative staff members OR students working in conjunction with a faculty or staff member are eligible to submit proposals for projects which will generate student work opportunities (funding is only for undergraduate student salaries).
- Proposals are accepted for research or career-related projects that utilize undergraduate students on tasks which are related to the student’s major.
- The student must be utilized in ways which are not solely clerical or secretarial.
- The project director(s) must be proficient in the project research or career area in order to provide appropriate mentoring to the SRAP student.
- Funds in the past have been used to hire students as research assistants, media relations and marketing assistants, teachers, trainers, student anchors and lab technicians, as long as there is a research focus.
STUDENT QUALIFICATIONS
Any Undergraduate student who is eligible to hold a Student Assistant position may participate in a SRAP project. The student’s major should be related to the research.
STUDENT TRAVEL
There are limited funds available to SRAP students. Students may apply for funding using the Student Travel Award Application.
SRAP STUDENT RECOGNITION
It is highly encouraged that all SRAP students participate in the UWG Scholars' Day Undergraduate Research Conference in the Spring. SRAP student recognition will take place during this event.
SITE VISITS
During the Spring semester, a member of the SRAP Committee will schedule a visit with the student worker and supervisor to evaluate the progress of the SRAP project.
PROJECT OUTCOMES
Outcomes are due at the end of Spring semester and should be submitted electronically by completing a report through InfoReady. Student project outcomes could include
- Public Presentation at campus event (UWG Scholars' Day Undergraduate Research Conference, etc.)
- Submission for publication in scholarly journal or other professional outlet
- Submission for presentation at professional conference
- Career experience narrative (1 page minimum with supporting letter from career agency)
- Portfolio of work created during project
SRAP Travel
There is a limited amount of funds set aside each year for student travel to present their work at conferences or other professional meetings related to the students’ SRAP projects. These funds will be available through the Student Travel Award Application, in which ALL required paperwork has been completed and submitted according to the deadlines and guidelines below. All travel must be completed by the end of the Spring semester. Students are not paid while traveling, as all travel is voluntary.
This funding can be used ONLY to cover travel related expenses: airfare and other approved travel expenses, lodging, and required conference registration fees.
Note: Meals are no longer covered.
All SRAP student travel must adhere to and be in compliance with the travel rules and regulations enforced by the University of West Georgia.
TO APPLY FOR A STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD
- Go here: https://westga.infoready4.com/
- Click on Student Travel Award Application
- Read all instructions and then click on the "Apply" button on the right side of the page under "Application Tools"
- Click on the University of West Georgia Login (at the top of the page) and log in with your UWG login credentials.
- Complete the application and upload all required documents by the deadline date. Please note: The application requires that students list a faculty sponsor. Once the student submits the application packet, the packet will be routed to the faculty sponsor and the chair of his/her department for approval in lieu of signatures. Once approval is obtained, the application will be reviewed by the Undergraduate Research Committee who will select proposals based on the merit of research and benefit to the students.