If you are new to CRE and we have not been able to meet you in person (yet), we welcome you to join us, along with our friends at SCURC (the Student Council for Undergraduate Research and Creativity, an SGA bureau) on Sept. 15 at 2 p.m. for our workshop on “How To Get Involved in Undergraduate Research.” Alternatively, if you cannot make that, be sure to drop in for our open advising hours: https://cre.fsu.edu/step3. If you already know you are interested in one of our specific programs--ranging from research, to innovation, to global programming--check out the contact info for our Team CRE staff to schedule an appointment with the right person. You are already part of our community by receiving our monthly newsletter, but if you want more up-to-date info on our deadlines/programs/student profiles, be sure to follow us on Facebook (@CREFSU), Instagram (@fsu_cre), and/or Twitter (@FSU_CRE) and check out this podcast featuring some of CRE’s recent students created by FSU Admissions: Episode 18, http://emt-podcast.emt.fsu.edu/the-more-you-nole

Here's a summary written by Senior Associate Director, Alicia Batailles, detailing what UROP accomplished this summer and what the program is looking to accomplish in the upcoming academic year: "We have one of the strongest classes of UROP students this year. With over 1000 impressive applicants it was difficult to narrow them down to 415 participants. They are dispersed across 29 colloquia being led by 60 experienced UROP Leaders. This year will have new challenges with the colloquia and some research projects being virtual this fall, but I am excited to see how these students will rise to the occasion. We look forward to seeing how these students will engage with the 225 research projects that have been proposed."

Here's a summary written by Senior Associate Director, Alicia Batailles, on what FGLSAMP is looking to accomplish in the upcoming academic year: "Over the summer FGLSAMP students participated in various internships, research opportunities, a computer science workshop at Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the Frontiers of STEAM Thought Leaders' Discussion Series. With renewed funding from the National Science Foundation, the FGLSAMP program will nearly double this fall. We hope to include more opportunities for students to explore their STEM fields and solidify career goals through research and other academic endeavors. We're really excited for FGLSAMP this year!"

For more information about FSU's FGLSAMP Chapter, contact Alicia Batailles at alicia.batailles@fsu.edu.

Here's a summary of what IDEA Grant recipients accomplished this summer and what they are looking to accomplish this coming academic year from CRE Associate Director, Dave Montez: "The 2020 IDEA Grants winners faced a challenging and fluid research environment throughout the summer semester. At the beginning of the summer,, essentially all university funded undergraduate campus-based and field research was put on hold. However, the CRE is proud of how these students have been able to adapt their individual projects and work flows to the constraints of the situation. These project changes included things like installing a biology lab in a home game room, moving interviews to Zoom instead of face-to-face, and conducting field tests in their hometown instead of the planned location. For more information about some of these projects and how the students have overcome this summer's challenges, please visit the IDEA Grants blog at https://hsfhouseblogs.com/blog/idea-grants/."

Here's what the Global Scholars cohort accomplished this summer in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Warren Oliver, CRE Associate Director: "Despite the bans on international travel as a result from COVID-19, a group of the Global Scholars elected to remotely continue their development-related volunteer positions through the summer of 2020, which you can read more about through their blogs. Their positions included traditional Omprakash partners, domestic and abroad, as well as FSU departmental programs, the Center for Intensive English's TEFL certification program, and the Center for Global Exchange's English Conversation Partners. From these experiences, ten students completed Capstone projects (along with their Omprakash EdGE certificates), which we will feature throughout the fall and can be read in their entirety on the 2020 blogs. We are very proud of these students as they not only highlight their interest in the subject, but the program's flexibility to be able to properly meet students' needs in these uncertain times."

Here's a summary of what students in the Gap Year program accomplished this summer and what they are looking forward to this coming academic year: "As with most summers for Gap Year Fellows Program, Summer 2020 meant transitioning from one cohort to the next. However, Summer 2020 also marked a major milestone for the program: the addition of a fall course for the returning cohort. The four members of 2019-2020 cohort ended their six-to-twelve month-long independent, experiential learning programs early this summer and prepared for their first fall in classes at FSU. Meanwhile, the two members of FSU's 2020-2021 Gap Year Fellows cohort have recently completed planning their experiences and will commence them very soon. Feel free to follow their adventures through the fall and spring through their blogs!

As a part of their courses, the 2019-2020 cohort will also be piloting a brand-new class, Using Your Gap Year to Make the Most of Your Undergraduate Experience (IDS 1107). This new course, which will be open in the future to all FSU students who took a Gap Year before coming to FSU, helps these students reflect on their experiences and explore which future FSU student opportunities would benefit them the most. This new course also marks the transition from the Gap Year Fellows program into the Gap Year and Gap Year Fellows programs. With this change, the program will widen to accommodate up to five funded Gap Year Fellows and fourteen unfunded Gap Year Program Participants starting in Spring 2021. Both of these groups of students will be granted a 12 month deferment on their acceptance to FSU as well as the opportunity work with CRE to plan and document their Gap Year Experience."

Tech Fellow promotes diversity in the tech entrepreneurship sector by providing summer internships for first-generation college students (must be affiliated with CARE). In this program, students gain hands-on experience and connections in tech entrepreneurship through working with incubator staff, startup companies, and mentors. The Tech Fellows program seeks to expose students to the everyday work of product development, entrepreneurship, and ecosystem building. As a fellow you will spend a dynamic summer embedded with ecosystem building organizations and work alongside startup companies.

Dave Montez, CRE Associate Director and Tech Fellows Coordinator, wrote about the Tech Fellows Summer 2020 accomplishments and Fall 2020 plans and goals here: "The 2020 Tech Fellows, like everyone, had to adapt a great deal this past summer. The students were unable to attend in-person their normal internships at business incubators in Tampa, Orlando, and Tallahassee. However, the Tech Fellows and our incubator partners were able to transition their work into fulfilling virtual internships. Their duties ranged from website technical auditing to helping craft return to work policies. For more information about some of these projects and how the students have overcome this summer's challenges, please visit the Tech Fellows blog at https://hsfhouseblogs.com/tech-fellows/. During the Fall semester, the 2020 Tech Fellows will finalize their research projects from over the summer and be preparing for the President's Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence in November."

Please contact David Advent at david.advent@fsu.edu and Yanira Campos at ycampos2@fsu.edu with any questions.

We're excited to announce that we have a new Graduate Assistant with our office: Yanira Campos! Yanira is an MS candidate for the Higher Education Program at FSU. She received her BA from East Carolina University, where she majored in Sociology and minored in Psychology. As an undergraduate, Yanira participated in research through an REU at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Additionally, she conducted an independent study, analyzing identity within the Latino Community. Upon graduating, she joined Teach For America and served as a special education Teacher for a K-8 School in Rocky Mount, NC. She is passionate about engaging students within research and creating equitable opportunities in Higher Education.

Due to this strong interest, we are hosting another event in this series on September 15 at 2:00pm. At this event, you will learn more about how to get involved in undergraduate research at FSU. See the flyer for more information! Please follow the Zoom link below to register for the event. We also encourage you to RSVP on our Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/744939909693669.

If you have any questions, please email Assistant Director David Advent at david.advent@fsu.edu

Registration Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwscu2tpj0vHNfD-2v-jvUqE47DPNRjWNMo

Topic: Careers in STEM, navigating STEM as a female, and ways to maximize your undergraduate research.

To submit a question for Olivia, please do so here: https://bit.ly/OliviaQA

Student Moderator: Jessica Dixon

Registration Link:  https://fsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEtfuiqrD4uHtRR-ppt3-NwKRr1iVnX_JlK

Topic: How to effectively choose a masters degree.

Student Moderator: Alyse Wilson

Please submit your questions to Sophie here: https://bit.ly/SophieQA

Registration Link:  https://fsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAudO6srDMiEtRvo-r1R_nvRNclHgB0pqMe

Topic: How to find your way into the politics field and how to find your way into a job in DC.

Please submit your questions to Hunter here: https://bit.ly/HunterQuestions

Rachel was recently featured as one of FSU's August 2020 Student Stars! She is a 2020 IDEA Grant recipient pursuing a project entitled "Food for Thought"

"For her Honors thesis, Corry is working with College of Communication and Information Associate Professor Patrick Merle to conduct a study on existing consumer perceptions toward sustainability and organic agriculture.

Corry, who works at Orchard Pond Organics farm in Tallahassee, received an IDEA Grant to complete this project during the summer and fall 2020 semesters. It will focus on local organic farms throughout the Southeastern United States and their outreach strategies.

“There is a fundamental need for new knowledge in this area due to insufficient research connecting communication and sustainable farming,” she said. “Interviews with local farmers are necessary to understand organic farms’ collaboration with their surrounding communities.”

Initial interviews will direct the design of surveys measuring consumer perceptions of sustainability and the effectiveness of different marketing tactics.

In Fall 2020, through an online survey, she intends to examine current consumer views on sustainability and organic agriculture. An online experimental survey will then compare communicative approaches farmers utilize and their public reception.

“My ongoing IDEA Grant project and Honors in the Major thesis should have a positive impact on the FSU, Tallahassee and Southeastern communities,” Corry said. “My research will reveal the strategies that organic farms can implement to broaden their support base. It will also present relevant findings on consumer awareness and understanding of sustainability as it relates to organic agriculture.”

After graduation Corry plans on pursuing her master’s degree at the University of Georgia’s Interpersonal and Health Communication program with career aspirations of becoming an account manager for a global communications firm specializing in the healthcare and environmental sectors.

“There are almost no words for the many opportunities and experiences that I’ve had at FSU. I am so lucky for the people that I’ve met and the mentors that I’ve had, especially Dr. Patrick Merle, Dr. Craig Filar, Professor Mark Zeigler, and Betsy Couch,” Corry said. “I cannot express my gratitude or my love for that university enough.”

To join Florida State Anywhere, please let us know your plans for the fall semester by August 10 by completing this short survey: https://fla.st/30zkKDW

Applications are open for the ‘20 – ‘21 HSF Student Advisory Board! Are you interested in serving on a board where you can provide critical feedback about HSF student priorities to HSF staff – apply today! Applications will be open through September 11^th, apply here: https://bit.ly/HSFSABapp

We are looking for students moderators for alumni speaker series virtual Q&A’s. Are you interested in moderating a virtual event? Let us know here: http://bit.ly/HSFStudentModerator