Students Find Success SURFing During the Summer

If your student has no plans yet for summer break, they should consider applying for St. Norbert’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, or SURF. This innovative research program, which began in 2018, provides numerous benefits for students in every field of study.

Students selected for the SURF program will spend eight weeks on campus working with a mentor on a collaborative research project. Complimentary campus housing is included, plus they’ll receive a $4,000 stipend for their work.

But unlike traditional collaborative research projects that students might work on during the academic year, the SURF program also includes weekly professional, social and personal development sessions, daily SURF lunches with the other students, and frequent scholarship meetings. This makes it a great choice for those new to research and collaboration, including first-generation college students and students of color, says Raquel Lopez (Psychology), director of undergraduate research and head of SURF.

It's also perfect for those interested in an interdisciplinary approach to research. “We have students participating from the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and the visual and performing arts,” she says. “This exposes them to different perspectives and viewpoints.” It also helps students learn how to explain their work to people outside of their area of study.

The program can also spur some intriguing collaborations. One previous participant, Cate Nelson ’24, is a studio arts and environmental science major who wished to create artwork representing nature at both the macro and micro levels. Working with SNC geology and biology professors, she studied topographical maps of rivers and peered at plants and small organisms through a microscope. Her resulting eye-catching paintings were exhibited at The Art Garage in Green Bay; several were sold.

In addition to honing their research skills, students learn how to give a public presentation, develop an elevator pitch, create a good workflow and communicate about difficult topics. They also polish their social skills by enjoying some off-campus outings. One year the group went to Bay Beach, a popular Green Bay amusement park, while another year they went rock-climbing, which was one participant’s passion.

At the program’s conclusion, parents are invited to campus to listen to the students’ presentations. Many are surprised by what they see.

“The students grow a lot in those eight weeks,” Lopez says. “They just blossom, and they are so proud to share their work with their parents.”

Applications for the 2024 SURF program opened Feb. 1. There will be approximately 10 spots available. Students can attend the SURF Open House on Feb. 29 to ask questions and learn more about the program.

Information about additional research grants and fellowships can be found here.

Last updated February 2024.