How We Champion Academic Excellence
At St. Edward’s, we’re dedicated to helping you realize your full potential, both in your academic achievements and personal growth.
Our commitment to academic excellence is seen in our students’ robust curiosity and creative thinking, innovative problem-solving, multicultural awareness, and passion for equity and justice for all. Here are five important areas that cover academic programs, events, funding and other opportunities on the hilltop that support your academic success. Be sure to tap into these resources.
1. Centers for Excellence Expand Expertise
Our Centers for Excellence are a respected resource for scholastic activities that broaden your knowledge and critical thinking across all disciplines. Take advantage of the centers’ programs and opportunities.
Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4)
Our National Science Foundation-funded Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4) focuses on increasing your readiness for the world’s 4th Industrial Revolution brought on by smart technology. The institute builds skills in interdisciplinary sciences, informatics, and emerging technologies, and helps science students tap into paid summer research internships like this one with The Nature Conservancy. Talk with your science professors and success coach about research opportunities funded by this institute
Kozmetsky Center of Excellence
Enhance your understanding of world events by actively engaging in diverse forums hosted by the Kozmetsky Center. The center facilitates discussions with experts, students, faculty, and the broader public on the complex challenges of critical global issues. Guest speakers have included American foreign diplomats, policymakers, university scholars, and leaders of business, nonprofit and cultural communities.
Wild Basin Creative Research Center
This living laboratory provides exciting field research opportunities for students across all majors, from natural sciences to social sciences to humanities. Projects in the works include monitoring urban wildlife in Austin, tracking pollination activity for native plants and studying enhancements to songbird habitat. Email Wild Basin to learn how to get involved in Wild Basin Research Center projects that align with your major.
2. Summer Experiences Build Credentials
How can you use your summer to boost your education? Funded undergraduate research and internships open doors to summer projects that allow you to explore a passion or discover a new one.
Summer Academic Excellence Awards
Summer Academic Excellence Awards are presented annually to rising seniors who meet the program’s required GPA to pursue experiences that have a real-world link to their academic interests and career goals. Email Dina Guidubaldi, director of Fellowships, for information about the application process.
The Martin Scholars Program
The Martin Scholars Program provides students with two summers of funding for experiences that help them prepare for their career path, and a series of workshops that help students clarify their future goals. The program is open to first- and second-year students who meet the required GPA. Email Dina Guidubaldi, director of Fellowships, for details about the application process.
Summer Science Research and Internship Opportunities
Summer science research and internship opportunities available through our Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4) (see details above). Our students also participate in the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program in which they can join the lab of a professor at a major research university over a summer. Connect with your professors in the School of Natural Sciences for application details.
3. Seminars, Events and Societies Enrich Learning
At St. Edward’s, there’s no shortage of opportunities for Hilltoppers to present their research and creative work locally and nationally, and take part in events and programs that inspire innovative thinking.
SOURCE
Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE) is an annual forum for presentation and discussion of original work across disciplines, and to honor student accomplishments. SOURCE provides opportunities for students to share their creative work and research with peers, faculty, university administration and guests.
The Student Conference Fund
The Student Conference Fund offers support to students of all majors to travel to professional meetings and conferences. Students actively involved in the conference events — oral presentations, participating on a panel, designing posters, or performing/exhibiting a new composition — are given funding preference.
The Senior Seminar Symposium
The Senior Seminar Symposium gives senior students in the School of Natural Sciences an opportunity to present their research to the university community. Students graduating with degrees in Biological Sciences, Computer Science or Mathematics are encouraged to participate. Connect with your professors or success coach for details.
The Honors Thesis Symposium
The Honors Thesis Symposium is the culminating experience for Honors students. During their senior year, they focus on an intensive independent research project supervised by a research mentor within their major. Students present their work to the St. Edward’s community at this symposium and to their faculty mentor as their senior thesis.
Business Events and Competitions
Business events and Competitions are hosted by The Bill Munday School of Business throughout the year that help build career skills, connections in the Austin business environment and a strong, engaging Hilltopper alumni community. Check out the school’s Fireside Chats series, iChallenge Competition, 3-Day Start Up, guest speakers and more.
The Lucian Symposium
The Lucian Symposium, sponsored by the School of Natural Sciences and open to the public, brings nationally and internationally renowned scientists to campus each year to speak on vital topics in science research, such as solving global health inequity.
The Most Reverend John McCarthy Lecture Series
The Most Reverend John McCarthy Lecture Series underscores the university’s commitment to its Catholic roots and Holy Cross heritage. Held on campus by the School of Arts and Humanities, the series hosts Catholic religious and lay experts from around the country to discuss issues facing the Catholic Church in the 21st century.
The St. Edward’s McNair Scholars Research Symposium
The St. Edward's McNair Scholars Research Symposium is an annual forum for our McNair students to present their faculty-directed research to the university community in preparation for their doctoral studies. Our McNair students also present their research at national McNair Scholars conferences.
The Texas Academy of Science
The Texas Academy of Science fosters student mentorship and research excellence through its annual scientific meetings and the publication of the Texas Journal of Science. Hilltoppers studying the natural sciences present their research at the academy’s conference each year, competing in and frequently winning oral and poster competitions.
National Honor Society Chapters
National Honor Society chapters are well-represented and active on the hilltop. These student-led organizations promote advanced scholarship and encourage leadership, excellence, and innovation in academic and professional fields. A few of the prestigious honor society chapters on campus include Delta Mu Delta (business administration), Tri-Beta (biology-related majors), and Psi Chi (psychology). Contact the chapters’ faculty sponsors for details.
The Honors Program
The Honors Program at St. Edward’s provides two paths for joining. Students may qualify for automatic Honors admission based on the academic strength of their admission application. Or if you’ve begun your studies at St. Edward’s, you may apply during your freshman year. Please email Emma Woelk, the program director, for more information.
4. Fellowships and Grants Fund Big Opportunities
We know how confusing applying for funding can be — especially for busy students. Whether you’re seeking funding for next semester, this upcoming summer or eventually graduate school, consider these funding resources that can lead to life-changing learning experiences.
Office of Fellowships Funding
Hilltoppers can explore their passions through fellowship programs offered by private foundations and government agencies, which are available in diverse fields of study. The Office of Fellowships can assist you with identifying and preparing applications for a variety of fellowships. Email Dina Guidubaldi to schedule an appointment to discuss your interests and options.
St. Edward’s University Funding
St. Edward's University Funding includes three programs that fund student experiences outside the classroom: The Student Conference Fund, Summer Academic Excellence Award, and the Martin Scholars Award. Each of these programs is described above in this email.
External Undergraduate Funding and Post-Graduate Funding
External Undergraduate Funding and Post-Graduate Funding are available for a wide range of academic study. The Office of Fellowships can provide a list of excellent options for scholarships, fellowships and grants, including examples of prestigious funding opportunities that Hilltoppers have been awarded recently, such as the Fulbright Student award. Meet our recent Fulbright winners.
School Sponsored Funding
Academic schools at St. Edward’s offer endowed scholarships open to students pursuing specific majors, as well as opportunities for students in any major. Check with your professors in your area of study to learn about this funding. Here are examples of several options:
The BSS Research Award
The BSS Research Award is offered by the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences for students who demonstrate exceptional research and scholarship. Recipients receive academic and financial support to further their advancements of the field. The school also awards the Dr. Emma Lou Linn Endowed Student-Faculty Research Grant.
The Dr. Allan W. Hook Endowed Wild Basin Creative Research Fund
The Dr. Allan W. Hook Endowed Wild Basin Creative Research Fund provides funding for student projects at Wild Basin or other lands in the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve system. Hook Fellows’ projects can be research-based or creative endeavors, and grounded in any major
The Marilyn Schultz Memorial Endowed Scholarship
The Marilyn Schultz Memorial Endowed Scholarship is awarded by the School of Arts and Humanities Department of Communication to students majoring in Communication who exhibit academic excellence, leadership in social justice and service to the university .
5. Expert Teaching Inspires Academic Success
At the core of your academic journey at St. Edward’s is the highly personalized teaching and advising you experience throughout your time on the hilltop. Our talented faculty within each school want to get to know you and are ideal advisors and mentors in helping you navigate college. If you have questions or concerns about a course, be sure to stop by for a visit during their office hours or schedule an appointment to meet with them.
Like your success coach and career coach, your professors can speak with you about careers in your field of study, minors that will complement your major, research opportunities, internships, and graduate school. They can also write letters of recommendation for internships, fellowships, jobs, and graduate studies, and connect you with hands-on learning activities that enhance your résumé and job skills. Partnering with your success team is the best way to make the most of your St. Edward’s experience. Professor Robert Denton Bryant works with a student in a video game development class.
