McCombs Launches Initiative To Fund More Undergraduate Research Assistants

Students gain practical research experience by working with faculty on real-world business problems

Becoming one of the world’s top research universities doesn’t come easily. Just ask the McCombs students who put in extra hours as undergraduate research assistants. They will tell you that the work is often tedious, detail-driven, and, well, riveting. That’s one of the reasons David A. Harrison, associate dean for research, is spearheading an initiative for a pooled endowment to support the school’s Undergraduate Research Assistant (URA) Program.

“Our students are absolute firebrands,” he said. “They are learning what happens in research and are able to connect that to what is happening in their classes. This is cutting-edge stuff.”

There are currently 80 URAs in the program, which pairs undergraduate students with faculty members to gain valuable research skills by applying psychology, economic theory, and statistical methods to real-world business problems. Aside from the practical applications provided through the program, URAs receive mentorship that can lead to new career pathways not previously considered. Harrison recalled a recent graduate who went on to medical school after being involved in the program.

“She really benefited from her time as a research assistant and was placed in one of the best med schools in the world,” he said. “This program gives students the confidence to do this kind of work. Plus, they have a say in what problems we’re going to solve, and that gives them ownership over the process.”

Endowed excellence funds provide a stipend of approximately $1,200 per student per semester in exchange for an average of 10 hours of research work per week. And while not a large sum, that money goes to pay for ancillary educational costs such as books and fees that can be difficult for many students in the program to cover.

“Some people don’t recognize how many first-generation students are working hard and scraping by to make it through college,” Harrison said. “So, that stipend can be a significant amount of money to them.”

Through the pooled endowment, Harrison is appealing to prospective supporters to contribute $25,000 to support the program, but gifts of all sizes will be welcome. He hopes to grow the number of participants to 150-200. By doing so, he believes that The University of Texas at Austin won’t just be a top research school. It will become the standard bearer for others to follow.

“I’ll stack my URA students against anybody, anywhere in terms of smarts and motivation,” he said. “And through this program, they are being involved in thought leadership and big ideas that will change the world.”

To learn more about the Undergraduate Research Assistant Program and how you can support the pooled endowment, visit the website at bit.ly/UndergradResearchAssistants.