Undergraduate Research Advocates Make Their Voices Heard in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. – The Council of Undergraduate Research (CUR) recently hosted the Students Transforming Research (STR) conference on Capital Hill, bringing together over 100 student advocates from across the nation, including representatives from seven Texas schools. The conference aimed to highlight the critical role of undergraduate research in higher education and advocate for continued federal support.

The student advocates from Baylor University were Elise Zeigler, Chloe Kautt, and Berkley Ponce, accompanied by their faculty mentor, Dr. Tammy Adair, Director of Undergraduate Research in the Office of Engaged Learning. These students, all from different disciplines, were sponsored by the Office of Engaged Learning, an office that cultivates a variety of immersive programs that support education outside of the classroom.

During the conference, students visited the offices of Texas Representative Pete Sessions and Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. They advocated for the importance of research in undergraduate education, emphasizing how federal funding through work-study programs, Pell Grants, McNair Scholars Programs, and National Science Foundation internships directly benefits undergraduates. These students also described how federally funded faculty members provide opportunities for student to explore their curiosities.

Chloe Kautt, a senior Biology major, shared her impactful research story. "My research helps to understand how antibiotic resistance (predicted to kill 10 million people and cost the US 100 trillion dollars by 2050) happens in order to increase the efficacy of treatment for bacterial infections and prevent economic loss. NIH and NSF funding has allowed me to enter the research field and increase the discovery and productivity that will save millions of lives and prevent major economic loss," Chloe explained.

Berkley Ponce, a junior Political Science major, also shared her research journey. "In the US, social media use and political polarization are increasing simultaneously, which led me to investigate the potential correlation between these two trends among American voters. My study was made possible through the McNair Scholars Program, which is funded by the Department of Education. Through research, I aim to educate the US public on how to best preserve the health of our democracy in the midst of technological shifts in the digital age," Berkley stated.

Elise Zeigler, a sophomore majoring in Economic Development, highlighted her research on empathy-driven entrepreneurship. "Small businesses fuel 62% of new private-sector jobs, 44% of economic activity, and drive innovation and poverty eradication. Under-resourced populations get ‘stuck’ without an invitation to capital leveraging opportunities and training. Supported by Federal Work-Study, I research how impact investing through microcredit loans builds vibrant communities while dignifying low-income, Indigenous, and refugee populations," Elise shared.

The event featured professional development from CUR leaders, who underscored the transformative impact of undergraduate research on student learning. Dr. Adair summarized this impact; “Research enhances critical thinking and improves graduation rates; it may lead to advances in healthcare discoveries which promote human flourishing; research empowers career readiness and drives economic growth, and fosters discovery-driven, innovation-oriented cultures.”

As the conference concluded, the student advocates left with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to continue their advocacy efforts. They expressed hope that their voices would resonate with policymakers and lead to sustained support for undergraduate research initiatives. The summit empowered these students to keep open lines of communication with their local, state and federal leaders, as well as to become ambassadors for undergraduate research at Baylor.