60-Second SoTL – Episode 70

How can Vertically Integrated Projects—VIPs—be designed so students don’t just participate in research, but feel genuine ownership of it? This episode features an article that explores how a biology VIP courses supported undergraduates in developing project ownership through agency, mentorship, and problem-solving:

Wozniak, Kasey L., Anna S. Grinath, Heather J. Ray, and Devaleena S. Pradhan. (2025). “Cultivating Student Project Ownership: Recommendations for VIP Instructors.” Scholarship and Practice of Undergraduate Research 8 (3), 38-48. https://doi.org/10.18833/spur/8/3/5

View a transcript of this episode.

Show Credits

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Jessie L. Moore, Director of the Center for Engaged Learning and Professor of Professional Writing & Rhetoric.

60-Second SoTL is produced by the Center for Engaged Learning at Elon University.

Music: “Cryptic” by AudioCoffee.

Image in episode art is by Freepik.

Explore Related Resources

Salient Practices

Following an extensive review of the literature on mentoring undergraduate research, ten salient practices emerged which support effective mentoring of undergraduate researchers. These practices can be used to develop a mentoring pedagogy of high quality.

Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research Cover

Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research

Cartoon image of four people in a chemistry lab, with two working at a white board and two working at a computer. Text overlays read, "CEL Podcasts. Making College Worth It. Student Ownership in Vertically Integrated Undergraduate Research Projects."

Student Ownership in Vertically Integrated Undergraduate Research Projects

Making College “Worth it” – Season 3, Episode 5 In this episode, Jessie and Nolan talk with Kasey Wozniak about how vertically integrated project (VIP) courses support student project ownership, authentic undergraduate research, and career readiness. Drawing on her research…

Two undergraduate women students worling together at desk with quote "College graduates who had these experiences are significantly more likely to consider college ‘worth it,’ considering both the costs and benefits.”

High-Impact, Career-Ready Internships and Research Experiences 

Last week, the Center for Engaged Learning released the topline results for our latest national survey of recent university graduates, exploring their experiences during college with the key practices for fostering engaged learning, high-impact practices (e.g., internships, undergraduate research, study away), and mentoring. In this post, I offer a closer…

A man and three women are gathered around a computer screen. They are all analyzing the computer with inquisitive intent. Text on the screen reads, “CEL podcasts. Making College Worth It. Paths of Inquiry: Course-based Undergraduate Research for First-year Students”.

Paths of Inquiry: Course-based Undergraduate Research for First-year Students

Making College “Worth it” – Season 3, Episode 4 In this episode, we explore a first-year course that provides a foundation to inspire and foster undergraduate research. We speak with Dr. Cynthia Fair, a Professor of Public Health Studies and…

Two women work on a research project in a lab. Text overlays read, "CEL Podcasts. 60-Second SoTL. Multi-Semester Undergraduate Research Experiences."

Multi-Semester Undergraduate Research Experiences

60-Second SoTL – Episode 67 What challenges do students encounter in a multi-semester, capstone undergraduate research experience, and what supports do they need to navigate those challenges? This episode highlights an open-access article that examines STEM graduates’ reflections on a three-semester capstone…

A college student is working in the library at a desk, text on the screen reads, “Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences in the Humanities”.

Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences in the Humanities 

Making College “Worth It” – Season 3, Episode 2 In this episode, we explore strategies to keep students engaged in research in the humanities. We speak with Dr. Mary Isbell, an associate professor of English at the University of New…