Center for Transformative Undergraduate Experiences
The Center for Transformative Undergraduate Experiences (TrUE) supports student and faculty success to spark, scale, and sustain innovative programs and activities to enhance undergraduate high-impact educational experiences. The Center’s goal is to engage TTU undergraduate students in transformative experiences such as undergraduate research, service learning, and study away.
TrUE Scholars
The TrUE Scholars Program supports selected first-year and current TTU students through the entire continuum of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) during their time at TTU. The program recruits, trains, launches, and provides funding for talented students to participate in URCA experiences.
TTU Undergraduate Research Conference (URC)
Beginning in 2008, the Texas Tech University Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) is one of the Nation’s largest interdisciplinary undergraduate research conferences. The URC is a wonderful celebration of the rich Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) landscape at Texas Tech and provides undergraduates the opportunity to present their work.
TTU Transformative Undergraduate Experiences Symposium
The Transformative Undergraduate Experiences Symposium brings undergraduates, faculty, and TTU programming together to showcase their work in the form of synchronous three-minute Impact Talks. These sessions focus on giving students the opportunity to articulate the impact of their projects and hone their skills in communicating their projects to a non-expert audience.
TrUE Funding Opportunities
- TrUE Transformers Program
- Funded by the Helen Jones Foundation, the TrUE Transformers Program supports Texas Tech University faculty in launching transformative experiences for TTU undergraduate students. Funding supports projects in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
- Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities Project Funding
- TrUE supports TTU undergraduate students who are performing research and creative activities under the guidance of a TTU faculty mentor. This funding goes directly to the student for hourly compensation, research supplies, or conference travel.
- Sparked by TrUE
- Sparked by TrUE provides unique opportunities for TTU faculty and TrUE staff to collaborate in co-creating new transformative experiences in all disciplines. Sparked by TrUE prioritizes support for projects with the potential to rapidly scale up the number of opportunities available to TTU students.
- More Funding Opportunities
Contact us or drop by Drane Hall room 239! You can reach us by email at true@ttu.edu or by phone at 806.742.1095. Check out our social media: https://linktr.ee/ttutrue
Cooperative Education
The Cooperative Education program integrates classroom study with paid, practical, and supervised work training in public and private employment situations. By applying their academic training in a work setting, students not only enhance their self-confidence while earning wages, but they also gain career direction and may receive offers for future full-time employment.
Co-op programs include both the alternating and parallel patterns. The alternating option allows students to alternate semesters of work and school, working a minimum of two semesters. The parallel plan permits students to work at least 15 to 20 hours per week concurrently with their academic progression.
Students considering a Co-Op experience should consult with an advisor in the University Career Center as early as possible. In addition, the student must obtain approval from his or her departmental advisor before enrolling. Ordinarily a student must have completed the sophomore year to be considered for the program.
For more information, visit the University Career Center, 150 Wiggins Complex, 806.742.2210, careercenter@ttu.edu, www.careercenter.ttu.edu.
Essentials of Scholarly Research
Essentials of Scholarly Research is a one-hour course designed to introduce students to lifelong information literacy skills and establish tools for effective and efficient research in a university library. Because information comes in many forms, students sometimes find the multitude of printed publications, Internet resources, and microform and audiovisual materials overwhelming. They need to know how to identify, find, evaluate, and use resources that are most appropriate for their assignments.
Essentials of Scholarly Research has four main objectives: to present the arrangement and services of the Texas Tech University Libraries; to introduce resources and search strategies; to outline a transferable, systematic plan for critical evaluation and use of these resources in a variety of ways; and to promote the effective use of information to accomplish specific tasks.
Course content (readings, quizzes, and activities) is accessed through Blackboard for onsite and distance students. Onsite students will meet for lecture and hands-on sessions.
Contact: Donell Callender, 806.834.2944, donell.callender@ttu.edu
Government and Public Service Internship Program
The Government and Public Service Internship Program at Texas Tech provides students with an invaluable, first-hand experience of how federal or state government functions. Administered by the Office of the President, the internships offer students the opportunity to work in offices in Lubbock, Austin, or Washington, D.C.
Internships are offered each semester, and students are selected through an interview process. Through this opportunity, interns earn academic credit, receive a scholarship, gain valuable work experience in a professional setting, and develop networking opportunities.
The internships are open to students of all majors and academic disciplines. Students who apply need a minimum 3.0 GPA and to have completed at least 60 semester credit hours. The internship program is also available for graduate and law students.
For program and application information, please see the website www.depts.ttu.edu/ttuintern/ or contact Ronald Phillips at gpsip@ttu.edu.
Institute for Studies in Pragmaticism
The Institute for Studies in Pragmaticism offers graduate and undergraduate level courses on research methods. The only prerequisite is approval of the instructor. Students in any branch of Texas Tech University or Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center are eligible to enroll.
As course participants, students will have direct access to Institute resources such as:
- materials on its long history of interdisciplinary research
- individual consulting and study opportunities
- scholarship opportunities
- international scholarly network
For details, please visit the website of the Institute, www.pragmaticism.net.
Contact: Dr. Elize Bisanz, Director, Institute for Studies in Pragmaticism, Box 40002, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-0002, 806.834.3966, elize.bisanz@ttu.edu
The Institute for Studies in Pragmaticism, a unit within the Provost’s Office, was founded in 1971 at Texas Tech University. It is situated in the main Library Building, third floor, room 305.
Courses and Programs:
Programs for Student Achievement (PSA)
Programs for Student Achievement houses the Programs for Academic Development and Retention (PADR) course, which is designed to provide opportunities for students to acquire and build effective learning strategies and personal management skills to aid them in college and beyond. These courses are open to all students at Texas Tech University. The course is conducted as a seminar styled class and meets for 12 weeks and averaging 30 to 35 students in each section.
Students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements designated by the college of their major (see PADR course descriptions for requirements) will be required to successfully complete a Strategies for Academic Achievement course.
Additionally, students returning from Academic Suspension who have not already successfully completed a PADR course are required to enroll in PADR 0090 (Theory and Development for Academic Achievement) and fulfill all course requirements in order to maintain their academic standing with the university.
The PADR student will learn to develop focus, purpose, and direction to achieve success not only in academia but also on a personal and professional level. PADR courses address factors that limit academic performance and implement strategies to overcome such factors. Students in PADR will also learn to effectively locate and utilize campus resources to aid in building and maintaining academic success.
In addition to classroom interaction, students have the opportunity for individualized plans which might include one on one time with an instructor or university life coach. This time allows for the collaboration between student and instructor as they work on specific problems hindering success.
Contact: Box 45020 Lubbock, TX 79409, Room 214 Drane Hall, https://www.depts.ttu.edu/ucsa/, 806.742.3928.
Study Abroad Program
The Study Abroad Office in the Office of International Affairs coordinates all study abroad programs for Texas Tech University students. In today’s globalized job market, students who participate in a study abroad program, to include international internships, service-learning, and research, can be more competitive in almost every field. An educational experience overseas can equip college students with an international perspective that helps them function more objectively and comfortably in the global marketplace while earning credit towards their degree.
Texas Tech students may choose from several types of study abroad programs. The Texas Tech Center in Sevilla, Spain, offers students the opportunity to take Texas Tech catalog classes. Students may participate in an intensive Spanish language program (equivalent to four semesters) or take engineering, architecture, or pre-health courses. Students live with host families and are immersed in the language and culture through excursions and day-to-day experiences.
Many academic departments offer faculty-led programs, usually in the summer, with a wide variety of course offerings and locations to include the TTU Center in Sevilla and TTU Costa Rica. Students can earn Texas Tech credit while taking a catalog course in an international location with Texas Tech faculty.
Other study abroad programs available to Texas Tech students range in length from three weeks to a full academic year. Study Abroad Counselors assist students in choosing a program that best fits their individual needs and goals. The Texas Tech Study Abroad team also provides guidance during the application and orientation processes.
Students participating in any credit-bearing Texas Tech study abroad program and international students seeking a degree at Texas Tech are encouraged to apply for the Study Abroad Competitive Scholarship. This scholarship is funded by the International Education Fee paid by all Texas Tech students. Students participating in credit-bearing Texas Tech study abroad programs also remain eligible for Texas Tech financial aid to help fund their international program.
Contact: studyabroad@ttu.edu; www.studyabroad.ttu.edu; 806.742.3667; International Cultural Center, 601 Indiana Avenue, Lubbock, TX.
Areas & Program Offerings
Office of the Provost
National Wind Institute Undergraduate Programs
RaiderReady Program
RaiderReady Program includes four one-credit seminar courses meant to assist students in academically transitioning and maintaining success throughout their college years and beyond.
RaiderReady: First Year Seminar (RRP 1100 ) is a one-credit course designed for students to successfully manage the transition from high school to Texas Tech University. RRP 1100 serves to acclimate, prepare, and guide students as they begin their academic journey at Texas Tech University. The program assists students by developing and honing their academic success skills as they build relationships and community with their fellow Red Raiders. RRP 1100 encourages students to engage with campus and develop into well-rounded campus citizens. Students who enroll and complete the course have earned higher GPAs, are more connected to Texas Tech, and are more likely to continue on to their second year of studies at Texas Tech.
First-year student athletes must take both RRP 1100 and LDR 1200 , with the latter designed specifically to meet the unique demands and constraints on first-year student athletes.
RaiderReady: Second Year Seminar (RRP 2100 ) is a sophomore-level course to assist students in successfully navigating their second year of college. This course covers topics such as living off-campus and choosing a career, to budgeting, stress, and time management. RRP 2100 continues to help students feel connected to campus and remind them of resources and opportunities available to them.
RaiderReady: Service and Research Seminar (RRP 3100 ) is a junior-level course to begin preparing students for life after graduation. Through this course, students will gain knowledge and experience in service learning and research as well as learn applicable leadership skills.
RaiderReady: Experience and Professional Skills Seminar (RRP 4100 ) is a senior-level course to assist students in the transition from college to the workplace. Students who take RRP 4100 should experience better results in their job search as a result of course content designed to enhance their ability to identify their own strengths and use those strengths to enter the workplace successfully.
RRP courses are general university courses that cannot be taken pass/fail. For more information contact Box 45020, Lubbock, TX 79409; www.raiderready.ttu.edu, 806.742.5928.
