History

Goals

Initiatives

Members

 

 REU Leadership Group Goals

While much has been accomplished, there remain several areas where improvements can be made. Specifically, the question of communication within the REU community is always a concern, especially with the uncertain (and reduced) funding rates of the past few fiscal years and the tremendous turnover in Chemistry REU sites and site directors. There are no formal mechanisms to communicate effective REU “best practices” established and tested at one site to other active or potential REU sites.  Also, the issue of increasing diversity in the REU population served remains an area where much more work is needed. Finally, finding ways to reduce the applicant pressure by increasing the number of student research opportunities and continued evaluation and assessment remain key goals.  As a result, the current LG grant from the NSF has the following goals specified as its primary mission:
A.          Increasing Communication within the Chemistry REU Community
B.          Expanding Diversity within the Chemistry REU Community
C.          Expanding REU Opportunities Overall
D.          Continuing Evaluation and Assessment

History of the REU Leadership Group

In March of 2001, the "Workshop for Chemistry REU Site Directors" (modeled after a workshop that had taken place 11 years earlier) was held at NSF. To maintain the momentum from the March 2001 workshop, and to address its recommendations, John Stevens, then the director of Special Programs in NSF Chemistry, solicited individuals to form the NSF Chemistry REU Leadership Group (LG). Working as a team, the LG crafted a plan and obtained funding for a number of initiatives in support of the chemistry REU community. The LG meets semiannually to discuss and plan action on issues related to the NSF Chemistry REU program. They serve as an important advocacy group for the chemistry undergraduate research community nationwide.

The Chemistry REU Leadership Group is composed of REU Site Directors and is supported by a special grant from the NSF. Its mission is to improve the REU program through workshops, travel grants, symposia, and other innovative activities. Members are elected to three-year terms by the current LG and are chosen to represent the broad diversity of Chemistry REU sites. If you are interested in serving on the LG, you are encouraged to contact the Chair and to participate in LG activities.

This material is based upon work supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation under Grants REU #0739442. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.