The UScholars program builds community by prioritizing strong peer-to-peer social supports and administrative supports. With this two-pronged approach, students have an enriching research experience in an environment that promotes belonging, inclusion, and respect. Read below to learn more about how we construct our scholarly community.
Program Advising
UScholars receive multiple opportunities for individual and small-group advising throughout the year. Prior to the end of the Fall semester of their sophomore year, students must meet with the Program Coordinator for an advising meeting. This meeting serves as a check-in to ensure that Scholars are receiving adequate programmatic support and making sufficient progress towards finalizing their research proposal. The formal research proposal is due by all sophomore students in the Annual May 1 Report. See Program Requirements for more information.
In addition to individual advising with the Program Coordinator, students also have the option to attend Group Advising Sessions. These in-person and virtual small-group sessions are hosted by the Program Coordinator and Graduate Fellow throughout the academic year and cover various topics that support student success, research readiness, and professional development.
Overall, students are strongly encouraged to develop a good working relationship with the University Scholars administrative staff and seek advising check-in appointments as often as needed throughout their time in the program.
Faculty Mentorship
The UScholars Faculty Director and Faculty Council serve as additional advising resources for students. Scholars are strongly encouraged to attend office hours with Faculty Council members to discuss research pathways. These advisors can answer questions and help students navigate the richness of the University’s vast resources.
By the end of sophomore year, in their formal research proposal, each Scholar identifies a Penn faculty mentor who guides the student’s original research project for the duration of their time in the program. This mentor provides the Scholar with the discipline-specific skills and knowledge that is necessary for a successful undergraduate research experience. The faculty mentor also communicates with the Program Coordinator and Faculty Director on their mentee’s research progress and occasionally attend UScholars events.
Alumni Mentorship
The UScholars Alumni Mentor Database serves as another layer of support and community for University Scholars. Upon graduating from the University, all program alumni are invited to submit a profile to the database and build a supportive relationship with incoming and continuing Scholars in a voluntary “give what you can” opportunity.
Alumni mentors serve in the following ways:
- Participate in informational interviews about current or past research positions/projects via email, phone, or in-person conversations.
- Develop relationships with current UScholars by sharing appropriate personal information about their own successes, setbacks, school and career choices, experiences, etc.
- Support students through the process of locating a faculty mentor, including facilitating direct connections between a student and former mentor(s) at Penn.
- Introduce Scholars to others in their field, both within and outside of Penn.
- Share insights on research funding, conference, or fellowship applications, as well as the peer-review publishing process, if applicable.
- Serve as a general resource for information, support, and advice for current UScholar students.
University Scholar alums who are interested in joining the Alumni Mentor Database may contact the Program Coordinator, Taryn Painter (tpainter@upenn.edu) for more information.
Peer Mentorship: Peer Mentor Groups (PMGs) and Group Leads (GLs)
Peer Mentor Groups (PMGs) are an integral part of University Scholars programming and serve as another layer of student advising, support, and cross-disciplinary community for students in the program. All students in University Scholars are placed into a Peer Mentor Group for the duration of their time in the program.
Structure
There are four PMGs that make up the UScholars community. Each PMG is led by three Group Leads (GLs), who partner to support 15 to 20 UScholars within their group. The Group Leads in each PMG are UScholars with research experience in one of the three major disciplines (humanities, social science, or STEM).
GLs are responsible for planning and leading PMG meetings throughout the academic year; incorporating incoming first-year and newly accepted Penn students within the UScholars community; and sharing their insights and expertise on the UScholars research pathway. GLs work closely with the UScholars Graduate Fellow and Program Coordinator to organize, plan, execute, and evaluate PMG meetings.
Purpose
Peer Mentor Groups and their accompanying meetings are intended to serve as a means for students to continue their intellectual research-based conversations outside of formal programming. In meetings, GLs may facilitate an informal conversation on research or conference funding applications; selecting a faculty mentor; or how to narrow down a specific research question. Peer Mentor Groups members also collaborate with one another to complete University Scholars Research Bingo, an activity that allows students to explore or deepen their existing research interests across the academic year with their peers. Occasionally, PMGs may organize social activities, such as study breaks or game nights around campus. All in all, PMGs serve as a way for students to build cross-disciplinary community around a shared passion for academic research.
Expectations
First- and second-year general member students are expected to attend at least four PMG meetings each academic year. Third- and fourth-year general member students are expected to attend at least three PMG meetings each academic year.
Students who joined the UScholars program through the Fall on-campus application process as Sophomores or Juniors are expected to attend all PMG meetings throughout the following Spring semester.
Community Events
Throughout the academic year, the University Scholars program will occasionally convene community-wide events for students. These include the Spring Ice Cream Social, where graduating seniors collect their UScholars commencement cords, and the Winter Hot Cocoa Bar. Students are expected to make every effort to attend these community-wide events.