Missouri State University is featured in a new book, Advancing Undergraduate Research: Marketing, Communications, and Fundraising written by Joyce Kinkead, Associate Vice President for Research at Utah State University. Lifeng Dong shares his experience in providing research experiences and opportunities with high school students to get them excited about the possibilities of doing research while in college.

Advancing Undergraduate Research is designed to share successful models and strategies for promoting and funding undergraduate research programs. This is the first book to address the growth and improvement of undergraduate research programs through advancement activities—marketing, communications and fundraising. As such, it is a critical addition to the library of the advancement professional, the undergraduate research director, and faculty mentors—in fact, anyone who wishes to advocate for the power of research in an undergraduate’s education.

According to Kinkead, “This book was a lot of fun to write as we had so many excellent examples from around the nation to share. Professor Dong offers specific advice that will be very useful to other campuses.”

Marketing, communications, and fundraising are all tools that help deliver the message to campus constituents, as well as to external audiences such as institutional donors, private foundations, government agencies, and state and federal legislators—that undergraduate research is a high-impact educational practice that can transform students’ lives.

Each of the three sections of Advancing Undergraduate Research focuses on key principles of advancement philosophy: how to market undergraduate research; how to engage in strategic communications; and how to raise funds and also serve as stewards of those funds for donors. Examples of best practices are included, gleaned from dozens of institutions, such as University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Michigan, to illuminate the concepts and principles introduced in the volume. Advice from savvy undergraduate research directors, as well as professionals in advancement, is incorporated to help readers formulate and customize their own advancement agendas.

The Council on Undergraduate Research, which is headquartered in Washington, DC, is the publisher.