GVSU collaboration powers return of national conference on student research

"This partnership with NCUR is a proud moment for GVSU,” said Ryan Otter, interim vice provost of Research and Innovation. “It highlights the long-term commitment we've made to providing high-quality experiences for undergraduate students both in and out of the classroom. I’m excited to have students from around the country connect with GVSU and Grand Rapids."

The 2025 conference opened with remarks from Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jennifer Drake, who spoke on the transformative impact of undergraduate research.

“For students, the opportunity to do research as an undergraduate can be profoundly life changing,” Drake said during the opening plenary. “It can be the first time someone says, ‘Your ideas matter, and you belong here.’

“Undergraduate research builds confidence. It builds capacity. It nurtures curiosity and critical thinking and it helps students move from learning about the world to engaging with it and shaping it.”

Student research has a long history at Grand Valley, and the 2025–2026 academic year marks a milestone as the Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement celebrates the 30th anniversary of Student Scholars Day, a tradition honoring student research and faculty mentorship. The anniversary makes the return of CUR’s national conference to the region especially significant for the university.

"Bringing the NCUR to Grand Rapids demonstrates our shared commitment to fostering student inquiry, innovation, and academic engagement on a national stage,” said Susan Mendoza, director of the Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement. 

“This collaboration not only showcases GVSU’s dedication to undergraduate research, but also strengthens our region’s role as a hub for scholarly exchange and development.”