The Research, Innovation, Service and Education (RISE) scholarships provide opportunities for students to compete for $2,250 in scholarship funding while working under the mentorship of a Life University faculty or staff advisor on an evidence‐based research, education, service, entrepreneurial or creative project.

Research and outside exploration prove critical to student development. Through the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), Life University (Life U) offers the RISE scholarship program in order to recognize and support students engaged in research, scholarly, creative/entrepreneurial and service activities. These activities are ones deemed to advance knowledge, spur innovation and develop proficiencies necessary “to become transformational leaders in an increasingly diverse, global and dynamic world.”

RISE scholarships are open to full‐time equivalent (FTE) students enrolled in degree programs in the College of Chiropractic (COC) and the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies (CGUS). Contingent upon funding, CETL will award eight scholarships each quarter. Four scholarships will be under the COC Track, and four go toward the CGUS track. The scholarship award applies toward tuition for the quarter following application submission and approval, as opposed to a direct cash award. Scholarships are renewable each quarter, pending progress and availability of funds.

One shining success story to come out of the RISE scholarship program is the powerful research with which RISE Scholar and D.C. student Heather Garrison is involved. Garrison has engaged in a research project known as a Seasonal Infectious Disease Patient Reported Outcome (SID-PRO) under the supervision of Dr. Stephanie Sullivan, Director of the Dr. Sid E. Williams Center for Chiropractic Research.

The SID-PRO tool is important to chiropractors because it will be a way to track patients’ seasonal infectious disease symptoms over time and record the influence of Chiropractic on these patients. As Life U is collaborating with ChiroHD to pilot the SID-PRO, any chiropractor that is currently using this software (more than 100 right now) will have access to this tool and can begin using it to track their patients’ symptoms after the tool’s expected summer launch.

“I was offered the amazing opportunity to work with Dr. Sullivan on a brand-new study and was honored to take part. As a full-time Doctor of Chiropractic student, time and money are always lacking in my life,” said Garrison. “Receiving the RISE scholarship has made it much easier to continue my work on the SID-PRO with Dr. Sullivan, not stress about getting paid per hour of work and truly focus on my school and research.”

“The RISE program is a valuable initiative that helps demonstrate Life University’s commitment and support for those students who choose to go above and beyond to advance their professions through research,” said Dr. Sullivan.

Erin Gilligan is a Project Coordinator for CETL that works closely with the RISE program, and he took some time to elaborate on the impact of RISE.

“[RISE] encourages research and scholarly activity in a way and ups the recognition factor. There is that nominal amount that students are awarded as a RISE scholar that hopefully covers their cost and encourages them to continue with the program,” said Gilligan. “It generates intercollegiate practices and introduces students to research in a way that connects them with advisors that can help them.”

RISE applications for each quarter are due on the Monday of Week 8. For more information on RISE Scholarships and how to apply, review the RISE Guidelines and RISE application form or contact CETL at CETL@life.edu.

 

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