As an R2 institution characterized by a high level of research activity, UCCS faculty are deeply engaged in original scholarship and creative works, as well as teaching their own courses.
Despite the impacts of COVID-19 on research capacity, UCCS has witnessed a banner year for sponsored programs — research funded in whole or in part by external funds — and research publications.
In the past year, UCCS faculty secured over $16 million in research funds, published over 250 peer-reviewed journal articles and 60 books, delivered 400 research presentations and produced 60 artistic works. Two faculty members were inducted into the $5 Million Club for sponsored research, and an additional faculty member was inducted into the $1 Million Club.
The exceptional research and creative accomplishments of the past year were made possible by the scholarly activity conducted at all levels throughout the university, from faculty to graduate and undergraduate student researchers. The 2021 Undergraduate Research Cohort was the largest in the program’s history, matching 28 undergraduate students to faculty members to conduct year-long collaborative research projects. The mentor-mentee partnerships don’t just result in research outcomes; UCCS students who receive personalized mentorship from faculty members are more than twice as likely to graduate, and 35 percent more likely to pursue an advanced degree.
In these ways and more, research activity across the university supports innovation, ingenuity, new knowledge to benefit society and transformational outcomes for students.
To see a sampling of the past year’s research accomplishments, dive into the 2020-2021 Celebrate Research booklet and the 2020-21 research highlights produced by the Office of Research.