Student Engagement in Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (SERSCA)

SERSCA program funding available

The mission of the SERSCA Program is to provide California State University, Stanislaus students with resources and opportunities that may not otherwise be possible to engage in a comprehensive, multi-faceted, co-curricular experience led by faculty mentors. The SERSCA Program is available to both undergraduate and graduate students across all disciplines university-wide. Through Assistantships, Mini-Grants, the Student Research Competition, and Travel Grants, the SERSCA Program provides student support for engagement in research, scholarship, and creative activity (RSCA) from idea conception through dissemination. It is not required to participate in one aspect of the SERSCA Program to be eligible for other aspects, but the program is designed so that potentially a student could be guided by a faculty mentor and supported by the SERSCA Program through all stages of an RSCA project.

Follow us on Instagram @stansersca to stay up to date on SERSCA and research opportunities for students!

SERSCA Program Data - 2020-2023

SERSCA Program Data

 

SERSCA News

Stanislaus State Students Compete at 2023 CSU Student Research Competition

SERSCA Travel – Funding student research abroad in Italy, Ireland

#StanGrad: Eli Frazer, SERSCA Travel

#StanGrad: Derielle Coleman, SERSCA GA 2019-20

#StanGrad: Britney Hayes - SERSCA GA 2021-22 & SERSCA Travel

#StanGrad: Alliyah Johnson - ORSP Student Assistant

SERSCA Undergraduate Assistantships (UGA) promote student engagement in research, scholarship, and creative activity by funding awards for undergraduate students to work with faculty on research, scholarship, or creative projects.

SERSCA UGA Program Guidelines & Requirements 2023-24

All UGA awards for the 2023-24 academic year have been made. 

The purpose of Graduate Assistantship (GA) positions is to provide opportunities to engage in meaningful disciplinary-based activities related to teaching, research, and/or professional development. Students apply with a faculty advisor for employment awards for students to work side by side with faculty in teaching, research, and other scholarly endeavors.

GA Program Guidelines & Requirements 2023-24

All GA awards for the 2023-24 academic year have been made. 

 

SERSCA Mini-Grants promote student engagement in research, scholarship, and creative activity by funding project needs, including equipment, materials, and supplies. Mini-Grant funds cannot be applied towards travel costs. All Undergraduate, Graduate, and Postbaccalaureate students currently enrolled at Stanislaus State are eligible to apply. All applicants must be nominated by a faculty sponsor.

Mini-Grants Guidelines 2023-24 AY

Apply on InfoReady

Total awards available for 2023-24 AY: 22

Awarded to date: 22

Remaining awards as of 11/17/2023: 0

Mini-Grant applications for the 2023-24 AY are now closed. 


 

SERSCA Travel Grants promote student engagement in research, scholarship, and creative activity by funding travel for undergraduate and graduate students to present their RSCA at professional conferences, exhibits, or other professional venues. Awards are also available for attendance or participation at professional conferences, exhibits, or other professional venues.

  • Presentation travel grants - maximum of $1,200
  • Attendance travel grants - maximum of $800

All travel is subject to campus travel policy and institutional approval.

SERSCA Travel 2023-24 Program Guidelines

Apply on InfoReady

Student Research Competition

The Stanislaus State Student Research Competition promotes excellence in student research and creative activity by recognizing outstanding student scholarships across all disciplines. Students present their research before a panel of faculty judges; top presenters in each category earn monetary awards; and delegates are nominated to compete at the statewide CSU Research Competition, where they compete against other outstanding scholars in the CSU system.

This year's campus competition will be held on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled at Stan State, as well as alumni who received their degrees in spring, summer, or fall 2023, are eligible to participate. All applicants must be nominated by a faculty sponsor. Presentations from all disciplines are invited, as well as group presentations. The SERSCA office reserves the right to exercise discretion in grouping presentations by affinity to create equitable categories. The categories are as follows:

  • Undergraduate Arts & Humanities
  • Undergraduate Social Sciences
  • Undergraduate Natural & Physical Sciences
  • Graduate Arts & Humanities
  • Graduate Natural, Physical, and Social Sciences

Students must submit an application and written summary paper on InfoReady by Monday, February 26, 2024 by noon.

InfoReady Application

Guidelines for the Written Summary


o The summary must include the name(s) of the student(s) and the title of the presentation.
o The narrative may not exceed one single-spaced page and must use fonts and margins that ensure legibility.
o Up to 3 additional pages of bibliography, appendices, tables, figures, or other supplementary materials may also be included.
o Research that has human or animal subjects’ involvement must also submit proof of appropriate institutional review and approval.
o It is expected that entrants will not make an oral presentation by simply reading directly from the written summary.
o The research/creative activity should be appropriate to the student’s discipline and career goals.

Competition Guidelines

  • Each competitor has 10 minutes to orally present their work before a jury and audience, and 3 minutes to respond to jury and audience questions.
  • Supporting audio-visual materials are encouraged.
  • Entrants presenting creative arts/design projects may present an audio and/or visual record of a performance they have given or a work they have created, and they are encouraged to focus the oral presentation on the rationale and historical context underlying their interpretation of the material.
Each entry will be judged on the following:
  • Clarity of purpose (15%)
  • Appropriateness of methodology (15%)
  • Interpretation of results (15%)
  • Value of the research or creative activity (15%)
  • The ability of the presenter to articulate the research or creative activity (15%)
  • Organization of the materials presented (15%)
  • Presenter’s ability to handle questions from the jury and general audience (10%)

Statewide Competition

As many as 10 delegates will be nominated to compete at the CSU statewide competition which will be hosted by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on April 26-27, 2024. Monetary awards are available to the outstanding presenters in each category.

Congratulations to the award winners of the 34th Annual Stan State Student Research Competition, held February 28, 2020!

At this competition, 14 students presented their research and creative projects to a panel of faculty jurors, student peers, faculty mentors, friends and family in three separate sessions based on discipline and topic.

Students competed for monetary awards for top presenters in each category, as well as for the honor of being nominated to represent our university at the 34th CSU Annual Statewide Student Research Competition, held at CSU East Bay on April 24-25, 2020.

Thanks to all of the students who participated and the faculty mentors who supported them. Our congratulations to the following outstanding presenters:

Campus Winners

Undergraduate Social Sciences - Session 1
1st Place Danielle Simpson Dr. Kelly Cotter
2nd Place Mary Vardeh & Arlena Liryce Gavino

Dr. Björg Jóhannsdóttir

3rd Place Adriana Savala Deborah Forester
Undergraduate Natural & Physical Sciences - Session 2 
1st Place Andy Ponce, Kohl James & Victoria Morado Dr. Jung-Ha An
2nd Place Ashley Bustamante Dr. Nhu-Y Stessman
3rd Place Arleigh Earnest, Garrett Bozzo & Omar Fernandez Dr. Matthew Cover
Graduate Arts & Humanities – Session 3
1st Place Monica Gudino Dr. Anthony Perrello
2nd Place Danni Brar Dr. Monica Flores
3rd Place Mariam Ohanlelham Dr. Betsy Eudey

All students listed above were also nominated as delegates to represent Stan State at the Statewide Research Competition!

Statewide Award Winners

Andy Ponce, Kohl James, & Victoria Morado placed 1st in the Undergraduate Physical and Mathematical Sciences session at the Statewide Student Research Competition! 

Competition Judges

Dr. Victor Luevano, Psychology
Dr. Mary Roaf, Ethnic Studies
Laura Rocco, Library
Dr. Stuart Wooley, Biology
Dr. Ellen Bell, Anthropology
Dr. Elvin Aleman, Chemistry
Dr. Matthew Moberly, English
Dr. Mirta Maldonado, English
Dr. Ashley Black, History

Special thanks to the faculty judges for their invaluable contributions – asking thoughtful critical questions, requiring the competitors to be sharp and to rise to the occasion, and making tough decisions in deliberation. Without them, the Student Research Competition would not be possible.


Previous SRC Archive

Updated: January 04, 2024