Vicky Munro

Retirement After 40 Years

I came to undergraduate research in the fall of 1986 and now in 2026, 40 years later, I am retiring with mixed feelings. I know there are many things I will miss about working in this amazing field. Although I was a graduate student in 1986 and eventually completed my PhD in American Studies, I stayed with undergraduate research as my career and found it very rewarding.  

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), started in 1985, was the first of many programs, in what became the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), that was created to provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to work on research projects with faculty mentors in any discipline on any UMN campus. Working in OUR gave me the opportunity to get to know many undergraduate students, faculty members, college and University staff, and colleagues in undergraduate research who all work together to make OUR programs a success. I've seen many of my students complete graduate work and even some who became UMN faculty and mentored students themselves through OUR programs. I've watched undergraduates create MURAJ and other student groups dedicated to helping their fellow students navigate not only the research itself but the understanding of professional articles and the presentation of their own research.

I can think of nothing bad to say about this field of work. We need more opportunities, more funding and more people involved to continue to give students as many opportunities as possible. My advice is to get involved as early and as often as you can in undergraduate research. Students are doing amazing things and the hands-on aspect of every field is vital.