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Summer Research Offers Students Valuable Learning Opportunities

Photo of Danielle Houston

The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) provides a unique and rewarding experience to participating students in the College of Public Health.

The program funds promising undergraduate researchers for eight weeks during the summer months to engage in faculty supervised research and provides real-world impact and real benefits for both the student and faculty. 

Danielle Houston, who is a junior majoring in Public Health, recently successfully completed the SURE program this summer. 

“I decided to participate in the SURE program because it seemed like a great opportunity and something I had never done before. My major is pre-dental/-med and research experience is very important. The project I worked on dealt with performance theater and the impact of the play on the audience's emotions and ultimately, their public health. I’m working hard to become a doctor or dentist, open my own practice and care for my own patients,” said Houston.

“Introducing research to undergraduates greatly benefits our students and community. They learn to conduct rigorous research, critically interpret results, and how they may impact public health. These are skills the students will use throughout their careers." said Jeff Hallam, PhD, professor and associate dean, College of Public Health, director, Healthy Communities Research Institute.” 

SURE aims to shape a student’s academic and professional career and mold them into informed citizens who impact our community long after graduation. Stipends are available for qualified students. SURE is sponsored by the Division of Research and Economic Development and the Office of the President. 

The SURE program is made possible by the generous support of the following:

  • DiCorleto Family Summer Research Fund
  • Anti-Racism and Equity Institute
  • Academic Diversity 
  • Beverly Warren SURE Award 
  • Brain Health Research Institute
  • College of Aeronautics and Engineering
  • Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship
  • College of Nursing     
  • Division of Student Affairs
  • Environmental Sciences and Design Research Institute 
  • Geauga Campus
  • Giving Tuesday Donors
  • Healthy Communities Research Institute 
  • Herrick Foundation
  • Honors College
  • KSU Foundation
  • KSU Libraries
  • LaunchNet
  • National Science Foundation- P.I. Dr. Edgar Kooijman
  • Office of the President
  • Office of the Provost
  • School of Health Sciences
  • University College
  • William Doane SURE Fund

If you would like to support the SURE program experience for public health students, please contact Tracy Figurella at tfigurel@kent.edu. For more information on the SURE program, click here or contact agosky@kent.edu.

POSTED: Thursday, September 7, 2023 02:24 PM
Updated: Friday, September 8, 2023 09:11 AM