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SURPASs

The Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Simmons (SURPASs)

The Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Simmons (SURPASs) is a paid, mentored summer research / creative scholarship experience for undergraduate students across all academic disciplines. The SURPASs intensive takes place for six weeks from the end of May to June. Students receive a $3,000 stipend and an additional $1,000 budget for materials, supplies, and professional development, along with room and board on campus. Faculty mentors receive a stipend of $2,000 and Simmons meal points.

To apply, students work with a faculty mentor to develop a project focus, objectives, timeline, and budget, along with a detailed mentoring plan. Acceptable projects vary in scope and scale, from chemical engineering and laboratory research to urban archival work and the examination of social, historical, and cultural topics through a disciplinary framework.

Info sessions for SURPASs 2022 will be held on the following dates (location TBD):

  • Tuesday, October 12, 5:00 – 6:00 PM | Zoom Meeting ID: 983 5306 0489
  • Wednesday, November 17, 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Zoom Meeting ID: 941 1534 5804
  • Thursday, December 16, 2:00 – 3:00 PM | Zoom Meeting ID: 976 7135 0163

RSVP to attend a SURPASs 2022 info session

Please note: We will continue to monitor public health recommendations and adapt our policies as needed. Priority may be given to projects that can be adapted to a remote / off-campus environment.

SURPASs is made possible by generous gifts from many alumni, including Trustee Regina Pisa and Trustee Pamela Toulopoulos '73, as well as support from the Office of the Provost.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2022 SURPASs program will be accepted until 8:00 AM on Monday, February 21. A complete submission includes:

  • Brief Project Summary (250 words max) + Title
  • Proposal Narrative
  • Budget
  • Resume
  • Letter of Recommendation from Faculty Mentor
  • Scholar and Faculty’s Mentoring Plan

The faculty-student mentor relationship is a significant component of the SURPASs program. Interested students are encouraged to get in touch with prospective faculty mentors early in the process (between December - January) to begin planning and preparing their proposal.

Submit your application materials through the online submission portal. For more information, email [email protected].

2021 SURPASs Scholars

  • Anna H. Burt, A Quantitative Exploration into Stereotypes Surrounding Nonbinary Gender Identities. Mentor: Megan McCarty
  • Maude Elovitz, Contributing Factors to Legalization of Recreational Marijuana. Mentor: Aaron Rosenthal
  • Madiha Kabeer, Analysis of non-invasive ultrasound neuromodulation of the dentate nucleus for epilepsy treatment. Mentor: P. Jason White
  • Kadijah McClean, The Correlation Between Coronavirus And Race. Mentor: Anne McCabe
  • Tabitha Miles, Gender and the Effectiveness of Goal-Oriented vs Traditional Education Methods in Computer Science. Mentors: Nanette Veilleux, Sherry Seibel
  • Sara Mitchell, The Effects of College Selectivity and Financial Aid Inequities on Student Access to Higher Education Following the Great Recession. Mentor: Masato Aoki
  • Gillian Unger-Mochrie, Examining the Impact of Diet Culture on Appearance Modification Among Simmons Students. Mentor: Valerie Leiter