CURE’s mission is to support and promote undergraduate research in all disciplines across the College of Liberal & Creative Arts. We aim to advance faculty-student research mentorships and collaboration through programming that includes professional development, skill-building workshops, curricular innovation and opportunities for students to showcase their work.
We are committed to fostering a culture of mutual engagement that benefits student researchers and their mentors. Undergraduate research in the liberal and creative arts empowers students to explore their passions, embrace their learning and develop lifelong critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the discipline and beyond.
Marcus Undergraduate Research Grants
The Marcus Undergraduate Research Fellowship award supports research and creative activity conducted by undergraduate students in partnership with a faculty mentor. Recipients of the Marcus Fellowship will be part of a cohort of fellows engaged in programming that supports research throughout the course of the fellowship. This fellowship opportunity is aimed at undergraduates interested in working closely with a faculty member to develop, complete and present a research project.
The Marcus Undergraduate Research Assistantship Grant is an initiative aimed at promoting student research in collaboration with a faculty mentor.
The Marcus Undergraduate Student Presentation Grant awards grants up to $1000 for undergraduate student majors in the College of Liberal & Creative Arts who will present their work at an in-person or virtual peer-reviewed or juried conference/meeting/exhibit (e.g., a presenter of a paper, exhibitor of a creative project or performer).
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis during the academic year.
Showcases
From food security to exploring evolution through dance, our students explore a range of subjects, stemming from their many curiosities, interests, and passions.
The LCA Undergraduate Research Showcase presents the research of undergraduates from SF State's College of Liberal & Creative Arts (LCA) and reflects the unique diversity of disciplines within the College ranging from the humanities to the social sciences, to the creative arts. We welcome and celebrate the research work of all students, regardless of discipline and research experience.
Research First is an opportunity for first-year students to better understand of the role of research in their current work, gain skills, and learn what opportunities the college and university can offer.
Workshops
Student Spotlight
Mikayla Cordero, International Relations Major
"Some people think that populism is only characterized with anti-immigration, anti-globilization, and anti-EU."
Mikayla Cordero, an International Relations major at San Francisco State University, hopes to uncover new perspectives on populism and nationalism in her research on Ireland.
This project is made possible by a Marcus Undergraduate Research Fellowship.
CURE Committee 2024-2025
The steering committee oversees subcommittees and is responsible for strategic planning.
| Person | Department |
| Fatima Alaoui | Communication Studies |
| See Won Byun | International Relations |
| Fernando Carvalho | Design |
| William Clark | English, Literature |
| Kathleen DeGuzman | English, Literature |
| Rebecca Eissler (Co-Director) | Political Science |
| Bridget Gelms (Co-Director) | English, Professional Writing & Rhetoric |
| Alexandra Hinck | Communication Studies |
| Sana Hussaini | Design |
| Arezoo Islami | Philosophy (Fellowship Coordinator) |
| Shirin Khanmohamadi | Comparative & World Literature |
| Laura Lisy-Wagner | History |
| Laura Moorhead | Journalism |
| Faith Rusk | Library |
| Macy Salzberger | Philosophy |
| Gintanjali Shahani | Dean’s Office |
| Saskia Van Kampen | Design |
| Cynthia Wilczak | Anthropology |
Contact
If you have questions or want to learn more about the College Undergraduate Research Experience, please email either of the co-directors, Rebecca Eissler at reissler@sfsu.edu or Bridget Gelms at bgelms@sfsu.edu.