Research

As a Carnegie-classified R1 institution, UIC is deeply rooted in research and evidence-based practice, and that commitment extends to Student Affairs. At the Office of Student Affairs Assessment and Planning, research is central to our mission. We conduct student-centered research to inform and enhance the engagement, development, well-being, and success of all UIC students.

Research is a process of inquiry that generates new knowledge, tests theories, and solves problems. Within Student Affairs, we use research to guide our work and inform decision-making. As strengths-focused researchers, we explore topics that matter most to our students and the division, including co-curricular learning, access to basic needs, mental health and well-being, financial challenges, and other barriers to academic and personal success. Our work is often collaborative, involving partnerships with colleagues across the division and the university, notably through the Student Affairs Faculty Fellows program. Much of our research is supported by external funding.

Recognizing the depth of expertise among UIC faculty, we intentionally partner with them to bring academic insight into Student Affairs practice. The Student Affairs Faculty Fellows program offers competitive grants of up to $25,000 to faculty members conducting research aligned with divisional priorities. This initiative fosters enduring partnerships between faculty and Student Affairs, while generating actionable insights that inform and advance our work. Faculty are encouraged to share their findings through national conferences and publications, extending the impact of their research beyond UIC.