Assistantship Program to Fund Student Work on Faculty-Led Projects

Mar, 2021
Trees on the HSU campus and students walking

Humboldt State University’s new assistantship program in the College of Professional Studies (CPS) will award 20 students funding to participate in faculty-led research and professional development projects..

The CPS Scholars Program is a unique opportunity for HSU undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students to engage with faculty mentors in the process of research and scholarly productivity. 

The concept of the program has been in the works since 2019. With a generous gift from an anonymous donor, the student-success oriented program became a reality this semester. 

“When I was in graduate school, I had an assistantship position that changed my entire professional trajectory,” says the donor. “I worked alongside a faculty mentor, filming student teachers, coding, analyzing, and interpreting data, and presenting findings at a local teaching symposium.

“The realization that this work was actually impacting students’ learning experience was eye-opening. I realized then that I wanted to become a college professor and I wanted to help support similar kinds of experiences at HSU in the College of Professional Studies.”

The CPS Scholars program will provide more opportunities for all CPS students to engage in transformational hands-on research, scholarship, and creative activities under the guidance and mentorship of a faculty member, while potentially impacting the communities that HSU serves.  

“It’s difficult for students, especially undergraduates, to find paid research opportunities in fields like education and social work. We’re excited to offer students an opportunity that’s feasible for their work-life balance,” says Corrina Wells, an instructor in the Department of Critical Race, Gender, & Sexuality Studies and the program coordinator of the CPS Scholars Program.

In order to apply, students must have a faculty sponsor who will lead and engage student assistants in work on research, curriculum development, grant proposals, and other scholarly projects. Students from Business Administration, Child Development, Economics, Education, Kinesiology & Recreation Administration, Leadership Studies, Psychology, and Social Work are eligible to apply. 

“This program is all about students gaining hands-on experience by working alongside faculty,” says Wells. “During their assistantships, students will participate in activities like collecting and analyzing data, presenting findings to stakeholders, and writing up results for publication.” 

The first 20 successful applicants who qualify will receive $500 at the end of their project. With funding available, the program will renew this July, reopening applications to 20 new students. 

“We see this program as a way to foster long-lasting professional partnerships between CPS faculty and students,” says Wells. “It’s a win-win for everyone. 

For more information, visit humboldt.edu/cps.

Support HSU students today! To learn more about the ways to give to HSU, go to giving.humboldt.edu or call (707) 826-5200.