The mission of NCUR is to promote undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity done in partnership with faculty or other mentors as a vital component of higher education. Myall, who is from Jackson, Michigan, is a member of the Lee Honors College. She is a senior majoring in secondary education and history. The Dean's Summer Research Grants provide financial assistance to students who wish to begin research on their thesis, a requirement of the Lee Honors College program, between their junior and senior year. To be eligible, juniors in the honors program must have at least a 3.25 grade point average and must have completed all honors requirements through the junior level along with at least 85 hours of credit by the time of the proposed research.
Some seniors are eligible to apply as well.
Each applicant submitted a two-page description of the proposed thesis project. Stipend awards for the projects were made on the basis of feasibility, the student's background knowledge and the recommendation of a faculty member. Grant recipients, who work with a faculty member to complete the thesis project, are expected to devote 25 to 30 hours each week to their research. These grants are given to encourage students to get a jump start on their projects with an intensive two-month study phase during the summer. Her faculty mentor is Dr. Christine A. Browning, associate professor of mathematics and statistics.