SURF is a student-faculty collaborative summer research program that aims to foster a culture of research, support ongoing faculty development, and promote student investigative learning, persistence, and success.

General Information and Expectation for Students

• SURF is a summer research program. For on-campus projects, most students should plan to begin research the week following the last day of the spring semester. In summer 2024, research groups worked from May 16th to July 11th.
• SURF is a full-time job. Students should NOT take classes or have other jobs while participating in this program.
• Students are paid $3,000
• Student on-campus housing is provided for on-campus projects. Students are expected to live on-campus unless they have exceptional circumstances; funds for local off-campus housing are not available.
• Students are provided with weekly social and academic events throughout the summer which enable students to become members of a tight-knit research community while fostering personal and professional development.
• Students are required to present their research at two events following the conclusion of the summer program: a poster presentation at the HIE Celebration in Fall 2025, and Southwestern’s Research and Creative Works Symposium in April, 2026.
• Some research mentors will expect students to continue their research into the fall semester following SURF. Students should check with professors they are interested in researching with if they want the student to continue research into the fall.
• Students are required to be in good standing with the university to be eligible for SURF.

Please direct questions to:

Dr. Jessica S. Hower
howerj@southwestern.edu
1595
Cullen 150 Suite