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William Paterson University has earned designation as one of the nation’s “Research Colleges and Universities,” in a newly created classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education.
The new classification, announced this week, recognizes 218 institutions across the nation for their contributions to academic research and development. The new one includes institutions that award, on average, at least $2.5 million per year for research and development without offering higher numbers of doctoral programs like Research 1 and 2 institutions.
William Paterson University’s faculty research often includes undergraduate students working alongside their professors in laboratories across campus, making research presentations at industry conferences, and some even landing joint authorship on their professors’ academic journal articles.
At institutions with a stronger focus on doctoral degree programs, such high-level, hands-on experiences are typically reserved for doctoral students.
“I am proud of the faculty and staff who have powered William Paterson to this new classification through their innovative research and critical support of grant-funded activities,” says President Richard J. Helldobler. “When our faculty are engaged in cutting-edge research, our students benefit both in the classroom and through expanded opportunities for the kind of experiential learning that will give them a real advantage when they graduate and launch their careers.”
Expanding its successful model for experiential learning, William Paterson University has just launched an innovative career experience program that is required for all undergraduates beginning with this year’s first-year students. The comprehensive program gives every student the opportunity to obtain a significant hands-on experience, that will prepare them for success in the job market. Working on faculty-led research is among the ways students can fulfill their new requirement.
“Our new classification is a testament to the excellent research coming out of William Paterson University – research that is, by and large, funded through grants, fellowships, and other contract awards,” says Joshua Powers, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
William Paterson faculty have earned funding for their work from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Fulbright Scholar Program, United States Department of Education, United States Department of Justice, and many others.
The University sponsors several events that feature faculty and student scholarly activities over the course of the year including its annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, entering its 18th year, that brings college students from across New Jersey to William Paterson’s campus to celebrate undergraduate research achievements in the biological, chemical, and environmental sciences.
“Our students and alumni experience first-hand how much we excel in research, and to be recognized nationally for it—as a mid-sized public regional university, especially— is a big source of pride,” Powers adds.
02/20/25
