Undergraduate research experiences are valuable components of higher education that provide workforce development opportunities and career training. For the unique student populations at primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs), including two-year colleges, these opportunities serve as catalysts that encourage a sense of belonging and persistence within STEM. This session is a space for attendees to connect and share strategies for creating and strengthening undergraduate research, both at and between PUIs and research-focused universities. We are interested in research and best practices addressing how to cultivate and nurture undergraduate research opportunities, for example: (1) Are you completing research within the classroom (e.g. CUREs) or as part of a funded program (e.g. ITYC)? (2) How can we use programmatic strategies to support these students and faculty (e.g., near-peer mentorship, campus visits, experiential learning, professional development)? (3) What strategies and networks can we build across institutions so that all undergraduate students benefit?

• EP - Earth and Planetary Surface Processes
• H - Hydrology
• OS - Ocean Sciences
• SY - Science and Society