HomeNews TypesElectionsNewly Elected 2024-2025 Councilors and Division Representatives

Newly Elected 2024-2025 Councilors and Division Representatives

In addition to the Board of Directors, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) has a governance structure that includes Councilors and Division Representatives who serve to further the mission of the organization. These individuals are highly engaged volunteers who have a passion for undergraduate research and contribute as thought leaders. Councilors and Division Representatives are charged from the 13 divisions, including Arts and Humanities, At-Large, Biology, Chemistry, Education, Engineering, Geosciences, Health Sciences, Mathematical, Computing, and Statistical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Psychology, Social Sciences, and Undergraduate Research Programs.

CUR congratulates these new and or re-elected councilors and division representatives on their new term starting on June 1, 2024.

The following CUR members have been elected as CUR Councilors. These individuals will serve as an advisory body to the Board of Directors and in a communication capacity, bridging the insight of the Divisions to the work of CUR as a whole by encouraging meaningful sharing of trends, challenges, and opportunities from the divisional level.

  • Arts + Humanities Division
    • Jamie Gilbert, Valdosta State University
    • Ian McInnes, Albion College
  • At-Large Division
    • Brandi Gilbert, Indiana University Indianapolis
    • Kimberly Schneider, University of Central Florida
  • Biology Division
    • Joyce Fernandes, Miami University
    • Karen Lee, George Mason University
  • Chemistry Division
    • Kraig Wheeler, Whitworth University
    • Rebecca Jones, George Mason University
  • Education Division
    • Tina Zecher, Northern Arizona University
    • Jacob English, The George Washington University
  • Engineering Division
    • Valentin Soloiu, Georgia Southern University
  • Geosciences Division
    • Lydia Fox, University of the Pacific
    • Jeffrey Ryan, University of South Florida
  • Health Sciences Division
    • Zacharias Papadakis, Barry University
    • Kim Davey, Samford University
  • Mathematical, Computing, and Statistical Sciences Division
    • Vinodh Kumar Chellamuthu, Utah Tech University
    • Kumer Das, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  • Physics and Astronomy Division
    • Hasitha Mahabaduge, Georgia College & State University
  • Psychology Division
    • Sarah Johnson, Moravian College
    • Tsu-Ming Chiang, Georgia College & State University
  • Social Sciences Division
    • Jeanetta Sims, University of Central Oklahoma
  • Undergraduate Research Programs Division
    • Dominique Galli, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
    • Susan Mendoza, Grand Valley State University

The following CUR members have been elected as Division Representatives. These individuals will serve as a crucial link between the organization and its members, helping to advance undergraduate research through programmatic resource development, networking, and mentor development opportunities, advocacy at their home institution, and other activities and events throughout their term.

  • Arts + Humanities Division
    • Chia-Ling Lynn Ho, Valdosta State University
    • David Gaer, Lone Star College
    • Jesse Guessford, George Mason University
    • Julia Gossard, Utah State University
    • Kevin Kaufmann, Loyola University Chicago
  • At-Large Division
    • Jennifer Thorington Springer, Indiana University, Indianapolis (IUI)
    • Laura Cruz, The Pennsylvania State University
    • Prajukti Bhattacharyya, University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
    • Susan Lynne Beckwith, Oakland University
  • Biology Division
    • Daniel Strahs, Pace University
    • Abdullah Salim, University of Tennessee – Knoxville
    • Jinjie Liu – Michigan State University
    • Jonathan Fitz Gerald, Rhodes College
    • Joshua Owens, Lipscomb University
    • Maryann Herman, St. John Fisher College
    • Nicole Najor, University of Detroit Mercy
    • Samantha Giordano-Mooga, University of Alabama at Birmingham
    • Susan Klinedinst, Schreiner University
    • Tessa Durham Brooks, Doane University
  • Chemistry Division
    • Aimee  Tomlinson, University of North Georgia
    • Arun Sharma, California State University, Monterey Bay
    • Catherine Mauck, Kenyon College
    • Geneive Henry, Susquehanna University
    • Hector Palencia, University of Nebraska at Kearney
    • Jeremy K. Klosterman, University of California San Diego
    • Joseph Baker, The College of New Jersey
    • Vanessa McCaffrey, Albion College
  • Education Division
    • Holly Hansen-Thomas, Texas Woman’s University
    • Ruth J Palmer, The College of New Jersey (emeritus)
    • Sarah Straub, Stephen F. Austin State University
  • Engineering Division
    • Christina Ivler, University of PortlandIrene Reizman, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
    • Timothy Kane, The Pennsylvania State University
  • Geosciences Division
    • Elizabeth Heise, Cal State University Los Angeles
  • Health Sciences Division
    • Huda Makhlu, National University
    • Leann Laubach, University of Central Oklahoma
    • Terri Breeden, The University of Central Oklahoma
  • Mathematical, Computing, and Statistical Sciences Division
    • Alain Togbe, Purdue University Northwest
    • Charlotte Simmons, University of Central Oklahoma
    • Haseeb Kazi, Trine University
    • Yunus Zeytuncu, University of Michigan-Dearborn
  • Physics and Astronomy Division
    • Chris Hughes, James Madison University
    • Christopher Fasano, Monmouth College
  • Psychology Division
    • Amy Buddie, Kennesaw State University
    • Christopher Dabbs, Valparaiso University
    • Chrysalis Wright, University of Central Florida
    • James Mantell, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
    • Patricia Xi, Knox College
    • Sara Goodman, St. John Fisher University
  • Social Sciences Division
    • Brian Lagotte, University of Kansas
    • Carol Strong, University of Arkansas – Monticello
    • Christopher Josey, University of Missouri
    • Doreen (Dee)  Sams, Georgia College & State University, Retired
    • Ethan Ankrum, University of Washington
    • James LaPlant, Valdosta State University
    • Matthew Fails, Oakland University
    • Tiffanie Turner-Henderson, Wingate University
  • Undergraduate Research Programs Division
    • David Salomon, Christopher Newport University
    • Donna Chamely-Wiik, Florida Atlantic University
    • Jordan Cofer, Georgia College
    • Kevin Walden, George Washington University
    • Marie Sheneman, University of California San Diego
    • Sarah Ferstel, Louisiana State University
    • Sarah Humfeld, University of Missouri
  • Margaret Cassidy, Adelphi University

Founded in 1978, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) focuses on providing high-quality and collaborative undergraduate research, scholarly, and creative activity. Among the many activities and networking opportunities that CUR provides, the organization also offers support for the professional growth of faculty and administrators through expert-designed institutes, conferences, and a wide-range of volunteer positions. The CUR community, made up of nearly 700 institutions and 13,000 individuals, continues to provide a platform for discussion and other resources related to mentoring, connecting, and creating relationships centered around undergraduate research. CUR’s advocacy efforts are also a large portion of its work as they strive to strengthen support for undergraduate research. Its continued growth in connections with representatives, private foundations, government agencies, and campuses world-wide provides value to its members and gives voice to undergraduate research. CUR is committed to inclusivity and diversity in all of its activities and our community.

CUR focuses on giving a voice to undergraduate research with learning through doing. It provides connections to a multitude of campuses and government agencies, all while promoting networking and professional growth to its community.

By Todd Waggoner

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