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Glasscock Undergraduate Summer Scholars (UGSS)

About the Program

The Glasscock Undergraduate Summer Scholars (UGSS) program is the result of a collaboration between the Melbern G. Glasscock Center for Humanities Research (GCHR), the University Writing Center (UWC), and LAUNCH Undergraduate Research. For 2024–5, UGSS is financially supported by the GCHR, the College of Arts & Sciences, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. The UGSS program provides high-impact undergraduate research in the humanities through an intensive summer research experience. Participation in the Glasscock Undergraduate Summer Scholars program sharpens students’ research and writing skills, positioning them for competitive applications for graduate and professional school. Summer Scholars receive a $2,000 scholarship for participation.

Once selected, Summer Scholars enroll in a two-week intensive seminar taught by their respective Faculty Directors and complete a series of writing workshops created especially for this program through the University Writing Center. Then, Summer Scholars develop individual research thesis proposals for submission to the LAUNCH Undergraduate Research Scholars thesis program for projects that they will complete during the academic year under the guidance of their Faculty Director. In March, Summer Scholars present their work at the Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium, sponsored by the Glasscock Center.

Experiences

"Teaching three highly motivated students in the UGSS program proved to be one of the most rewarding and intellectually stimulating experiences as a college professor. I had expected the course to be rewarding, but I did not expect the students to challenge themselves as well as the professor on a daily basis. I enjoyed the challenge of teaching contemporary race relations and social justice in the U.S., and watching the students grapple with complicated ideas and concepts and offer fresh perspectives."

-Dr. Albert Broussard, Faculty Director

"As a Glasscock Summer Scholar, the program has not only granted me the opportunity to explore my own academic interests, but has introduced me to new schools of thought. I believe that kind of collaborative spirit is what makes research so innovative and nuanced. I am privileged to do humanities research under the guidance of anthropologist Dr. Lemus, and being surrounded by my brilliant peers in my seminar group was what I enjoyed the most."

-Sidney Uy Tesy, Summer Scholar

"As an UGSS Faculty Director, I appreciate the opportunity to work closely with a small group of undergraduates who are serious about their research. I am grateful to have had three intensive weeks in May during the summer session to do what I can to provide them with the research tools and methods that they need to be able to do advanced scholarship."

-Dr. Ira Dworkin, Faculty Director

"Participating as a UGSS Faculty Director has been an intellectually rewarding experience as our seminar team immersed ourselves in a research problem, pulling together information and datasets that fostered deep exploration and analytical discussions. I am inspired by the research questions that the students have developed and am excited to see where their projects will lead."

-Dr. Heather Thakar, Faculty Director

"I truly enjoyed the research seminar on environmental humanities with Dr. Emre. While introducing our group to how the concept of religion plays into what we are learning, her genuine curiosity to learn more inspired me to ask more questions and immerse myself in the seminar. Dr. Emre's willingness to learn from students made the seminar more collaborative, creating a feeling of responsibility to stay on top of my reading so that I could contribute to the group. Throughout the seminar, Dr. Emre proved that she is on our team by advocating for us and showing interest in us as students."

-Chetana Kuchibhotla, Summer Scholar

"Dr. Emre's summer seminar provided me with an avenue to dive deeper into a more humanities look at a topic I've only seen from a biological perspective. It has also sparked meaningful debates and discussions that have shifted perspectives."

-Joseph Dib, Summer Scholar

Previous Seminars