Four students in the College of Merchandising & Digital Retailing have applied for and been awarded as UNT Undergraduate Research Fellows for the 2020-2021 academic year. The fellowship program was established in 2016 by the President, Provost, Vice President for Research and Innovation and the Vice President for Finance and Administration. As a Tier 1 Carnegie research university, it is imperative that undergraduate students learn and contribute to the research body, learning best practice research methodology from their faculty mentors along the way. The goal is to reward enterprising students for their research efforts by providing this forum for faculty-mentored research and projects that go far beyond the classroom.

Once accepted, students commit to a 9-month research and presentation process, which culminates in their participation and work presentation at the Honors College Scholars Day event which is held annually each April. Their efforts prepare them for rewarding careers as they develop skills in critical thinking, teamwork and communication.

Those honored this year are Mei May Chen, a Digital Retailing and Merchandising double major; Kaitlyn Sifford, a Digital Retailing and Retailing double-major; Alisa Torrence, a Digital Retailing major; and Marissa Lynch, a Digital Retailing major. Dr. Judith Forney, Dr. Dee Knight and Linda Mihalick are serving as their faculty mentors. The team is focusing their research on Modes of Digital Engagement in the Path to Purchase. During this pandemic year, all of their work, research and mentoring are occurring virtually.

Congratulations to these outstanding young women!