Story by Emily Kebert

Photos by Morgan Solomon

At the University of Missouri, research is a key part of how undergraduates learn, ask questions and prepare for what comes next. Whether students are interested in teaching, counseling, leadership or community-based work, research helps them develop skills that matter in any career, from critical thinking and collaboration to communication and problem-solving.

Undergraduate research gives students the chance to apply what they’re learning in class to real-world questions, explore their interests more deeply and build relationships with faculty mentors. Programs like Student Training Advancing Research (S.T.A.R.), offered through the Office of Undergraduate Research, are designed to help students get started, build confidence and understand how research fits into their academic and professional goals.

Last semester, two students from the College of Education and Human Development completed the S.T.A.R. program. Below, they share what stood out to them, how the experience shaped their goals and what advice they have for other Mizzou students curious about undergraduate research.

Emma Williams

Senior, Educational Leadership

What inspired you to apply for the S.T.A.R. program?

The S.T.A.R. program was a requirement for a Missouri Music class I took last semester. I had never heard of the program before, so I expected it would be mainly about getting involved in research on campus. While I did learn how to get involved, I also learned how to find research relevant to my career interests, how to keep a well-organized research journal, and how to be a well-rounded researcher.

 How has participating in undergraduate research influenced your academic interests or future career goals?

Participating in undergraduate research has pushed me to think more critically about school environments. As an aspiring school counselor, I want all students to feel safe and welcomed. Research has made me curious about the impact that school resources and systems have on students.

Was there a specific workshop, challenge, or moment during the program that felt especially meaningful?

Many of the workshops I attended had fewer than 10 students. This allowed the instructor to personalize the information to each of our majors, which made the experience much more meaningful.

What’s one experience or takeaway from the S.T.A.R. program that really stands out to you?

One thing that really stood out to me was the emphasis on what makes a good researcher, not just the logistics of getting involved or keeping a research journal. I learned that quality research comes from a quality research team!

What advice would you give to other Mizzou students who are considering undergraduate research?

I would encourage them to reach out to the office of Undergraduate Research and learn more! Research has so many different forms and topics, and it’s likely there is one that connects with their interests!

Brendan McLaughlin

Freshman, Secondary Mathematics Education

What’s one experience or takeaway from the S.T.A.R. program that really stands out to you?

One of my biggest takeaways was learning how important relationships are in research. Building connections with professors and other students can make a huge difference in your academic experience.

What inspired you to apply for the S.T.A.R. program, and what were you hoping to gain from the experience?

I applied to the S.T.A.R. program because I wanted to better understand how undergraduate research works and how I could get involved in research related to mathematics education.

How has participating in undergraduate research influenced your academic interests or future career goals?

The S.T.A.R. program strengthened my career goal of teaching high school math. It gave me an inside look at the kind of thinking and planning and reflection that are part of teaching and learning.

Was there a specific workshop, challenge, or moment during the program that felt especially meaningful?

The workshop focused on building relationships was especially meaningful to me. I learned how much professors can support students by sharing advice, personal experiences and even writing letters of recommendation.

What advice would you give to other Mizzou students who are considering undergraduate research?

My advice is to get involved as early as possible. Using Mizzou’s ForagerOne platform makes it easy to explore the research happening across campus and find opportunities that match your interests.

Ready to get started?

Undergraduate research at Mizzou is open to students from all majors and class years, and you don’t need prior experience to begin. Programs like S.T.A.R. are designed to help students build skills, confidence and connections as they explore research opportunities.

Students can also use ForagerOne, Mizzou’s online research-matching platform, to discover projects, connect with faculty mentors and learn where their interests fit into the broader research landscape. Faculty and staff use ForagerOne to share opportunities and connect with motivated students, making it a valuable tool for everyone involved in undergraduate research.

To learn more about the S.T.A.R. program or explore undergraduate research at Mizzou, visit the Office of Undergraduate Research.