JOURACA_SP_2017

Undergraduate research (UR) is a high impact
practice! What does that mean? It means that it
positively effects GPA, retention, graduation rates,
and acceptance into graduate programs. How does
it do this? Is it magic?
Well yes, sort of, it is! UR requires students to
learn new knowledge and techniques and to apply
them rapidly while they are being acquired. This
intense and goal-directed learning changes students
perception of College, of their relationship with
faculty, of their field of study, and of their place in
the world. This magical type of learning is called
transformational learning, and really changes students
lives.
When I first started the Student Organization for
Undergraduate Research, and hired the first Undergraduate
Research Ambassadors, I had no idea how
wonderful they would be. Now I can plainly see
that being student leaders for the SOAR has also
been transformative, and that the student leaders for
this journal have pushed the boundaries of the journal
in terms of scope and quality.
I want to give a special thank you to Dr. Al Chow,
who has sought out and taken charge of the Journal.
He has been a great sponsor, mentor, and friend to
me and the students this year, and his leadership is
greatly appreciated! I want to encourage all faculty
and students to read and submit to JOURACA,
South Alabama’s first and only truly interdisciplinary,
undergraduate journal.
Sincerely!
Jack Shelley-Tremblay, Ph.D.
Director of Undergraduate Research
Advisor of the Student Organization of Academic Research
Professor of Psychology
Department of Psychology
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