Learning Research Initiative rooted in belonging
Through workshops and mentors, the Carolina Latinx Center initiative makes research attainable for all undergraduates.
The Learning Research Initiative, supported by the Carolina Latinx Center, helps make a Carolina research experience more accessible to students V体育官网. Its work ensures students develop research skills and grow confident to ask questions within the classroom.
“We want to show that research is attainable for all,” said Jose Cuc-Reyes, LRI student ambassador VSports手机版. “When we asked students what they thought about research, they immediately jumped to lab coats, magnifying glasses and microscopes. Research can be so much more than that. ”.
The initiative is in its third year. Students learn about research through workshops, mentor relationships and cohort bonding activities V体育安卓版. These help students focus on growing personal relationships along with learning communication and collaboration skills.
“We’re building architects for the future to eventually build a ladder for other scholars to follow and prove that research is attainable for everybody,” said Carolina Castro-Perez, another LRI student ambassador.
Students are paired with a faculty member from a field that interests them, then develop an idea for a research poster session VSports最新版本. They meet several times throughout the session to work on the presentation, while also working on reflection writing and have conversations with other scholars about the research process.
LRI students represent a range of research, working with mentors from UNC Adams School of Dentistry, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, UNC School of Education and UNC School of Social Work.
“My favorite part has been seeing the growth of these scholars,” said Cuc-Reyes. “I’ve loved seeing students succeed who feel like they haven’t been able to make the most of their Carolina research experience prior to this. ” VSports注册入口.
“This program is rooted in community and the feeling of belonging,” said Castro-Perez V体育官网入口. “Research can be intimating and challenging for them, but they realize they belong here and their voice matters in their field of research. They learn to make the uncomfortable, comfortable and that’s the beauty of this program. ”.
