Editorial by Jay T. Akridge, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Diversity

Akridge, Jay T.

English

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We are very pleased to pres-ent the Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research, a professional, scholarly pub-lication featuring the work of our talented Boilermaker students.  e positive e ects of undergraduate research have been well documented. We know that when stu-dents conduct research, they develop critical-thinking skills, become analytical problem-solvers, and learn to work well in teams. Research experience helps stu-dents strengthen oral and written communication skills, deepen their understanding of their disciplines, and, in some cases, clarify career goals. Self-con dence grows as students advance new knowledge and build resiliency in the face of setbacks that are a near certainty in the ebb and  ow of the discovery process. Because of these great bene ts, we encourage all of our undergraduates to include research as part of their academic experience wherever they can.  e posi-tive outcomes from a research learning opportunity will serve them well for a lifetime, and the skills these students develop align beautifully with attributes that today’s employers are seeking. Each year, the National Association of Colleges and Employers asks members of hiring organizations to identify the key attributes they look for in college gradu-ates.*  e 2021 respondents indicated that the skills they sought most were: the ability to work in a team (81%), problem-solving skills (79%), analytical/quantitative skills (76%), verbal communication skills (73%), and written communication skills (72%).  e data tell the story—the parallel of employer needs and the capabilities developed through undergrad-uate research is striking. Purdue alumni bear this out. In this issue of JPUR, you will  nd some exciting interviews with alumni who describe how their own undergradu-ate research experiences at Purdue served them well in their careers. We’re extremely proud that Purdue undergraduates from every college and the School of Management par-ticipate in research. You’ll  nd fascinating articles in this publication that cover a broad range of subjects. For the  rst time, JPUR includes an inside look at the publishing process. Of course, COVID-19 had a big e ect here as it did in all areas of our lives. In-person meetings had to be moved to digital connections for the student editorial board, proposal reviews, and faculty decision making. Student researchers needed to develop innovative ways to continue their research programs and connect with their mentors and peers. Flexibility, cre-ativity, and perseverance quickly became the watchwords for all of us at Purdue in 2020 and 2021—and especially so for undergraduate researchers and their advisors. e Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Researchis a student-run publication with professional sup-port from members of the Purdue University Press, Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies, the Online Writing Lab, and Purdue Marketing and Communications. My thanks and congratulations to everyone involved with the excellent content and out-standing quality again represented in this edition. Undergraduate research is one of the many, many ways we engage with—and challenge—our students every day. We emphasize these high-impact experiences because we believe they help our students maximize their full potential and reach their highest professional and personal aspirations. At Purdue, we want our stu-dents to experience a transformative undergraduate edu-cation. We believe they deserve nothing less.* Source: Job Outlook 2021 Spring Update, National Association    of Colleges and Employers.EDITORIALLetter from Jay T. Akridge, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic A airs and DiversityVolume 11 of JPUR, published in fall 2021, operated on a calendar year of September 1, 2020–August 31, 2021. Student rank in this volume re ects the 2020–2021 school year.http://dx.doi.org/10.7771/2158-4052.1530

Editorial

https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1530&context=jpur

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