STAR Scholars
STAR Poster Workshop 
The STAR program is a special program for academically talented students that matches Drexel University undergraduates with research faculty. Developed by former President Constantine Papadakis, and Joan McDonald, Dean of Enrollment Management, the STAR program was inspired by Drexel's philosophy of learning by doing, and by its history as a cooperative education institution. Through STAR entering freshman undergraduate students are provided with opportunities to participate in a summer research activity as a component of their undergraduate education: developing a research plan, proposal writing, conducting research, analyzing data, and presenting results in oral and written form. STAR Scholars are enrolled in the Pennoni Honors College and receive all benefits of participation in honors programming.
STAR Scholars are selected prior to their entrance to college, and are matched with a faculty member in the department of their intended major of study. Students are recruited as a cohort, and reside together for their first year in a special undergraduate learning environment managed by the Pennoni Honors College. Students enrolled in any department within the university are eligible to participate.
During freshman year, STAR Scholars participate in a series of seminar programs to support educational activities and prepare them for research. Students who are eligible for work-study assignments may be able to be employed as research assistants during freshman year in fulfillment of the work-study requirement. During the spring term STAR Scholars ad their mentors sign an agreement outlining their respective responsibilities for the summer internship. STAR research projects may take place within any college or school. department or interdisciplinary laboratory. While students are completing their summer research internship, they are compensated at a rate of $10.00 per hour and receive university housing.
STAR Scholars must be prepared to make a full-time commitment to their research to work diligently on their project, and to develop a professional attitude toward their work, their mentor and their colleagues. It is expected that STAR Scholars will meet with their mentor / supervisor throughout the academic year; however it is important that the parameters f the summer research should be agreed upon prior to the beginning of the program. During the ten-week program, participants are expected to work 30-40 hours per week on their research. It is expected that participants will meet with their mentors at least once per week. The role of the faculty mentor is to guide the research. Each participant is expected to seek and follow the faculty mentor's recommendation and advice. STAR Scholars may not register for classes during the summer research program nor are they permitted to have additional employment responsibilities.
The STAR program provides a means for students to get to know faculty, explore a major course of study, gain practical skills for career or graduate school, gain valuable research experience, and advance science.
Essential to all STAR projects are the following:
- Research work of a quality to merit academic credit
- Active communication between the undergraduate student and faculty mentor / supervisor who is responsible for guiding the student's work
- A statement of purpose, written by the student, outlining the planned research
Students selected as STAR Scholars:
- Receive all benefits of participating in the Pennoni Honors College
- Are provided housing in a special freshman residential living-learning community within the Honors residence hall
- Are matched with a faculty mentor upon admission to the university
- Receive a paid summer research experience between freshman & sophomore year that includes summer housing
- Participate in an undergraduate research seminar
- Are provided with special academic and learning opportunities
- Are expected to maintain a 3.2 cumulative GPA
