Our Vision
The Office of Undergraduate Education- Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry will enable undergraduates to stand at the center of creation and dissemination of knowledge.
Our Mission
The Office of Undergraduate Education- Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry strives to nurture and support mentored research pursuits of all undergraduate students to proactively transform and enrich their academic experience by providing inclusive and innovative research engagement opportunities and fostering collaborative partnerships in the world beyond the classroom.
Shared Values
As a unit of the Office of Undergraduate Education, we are committed to the core values of excellence and innovation, collaboration, community service, teamwork, inclusion and respect for diversity, integrity and personal accountability, openness, and trust.
Contact Us
Kuhn Honors & Scholars House
220 West 12th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
614-292-8307
ugresearch@osu.edu
Donate to the Office
Donations to The Office of Undergraduate Research Discretionary Fund (312045) support student research grants and fellowships.
Our Team
Claire Sweigart, JD
Program Director
Claire Sweigart has worked in advocacy and education since graduating from The Ohio State University in 2007 with a B.S. in Environmental Education. She completed a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 2010, focusing on public interest law. After a fellowship with the Natural Resources Defense Council, Claire combined her experience in education and policy and transitioned to working in higher education at the University of Cincinnati where she served as Sustainability Coordinator. In this role, Claire led initiatives with students, faculty, staff, and community partners to advance environmental and social sustainability programs and create a campus culture of engagement. She has also taught environmental law and policy as an adjunct instructor. Claire returned to Ohio State in 2015 as the Program Manager for the Office of Service-Learning and has served as Program Director since 2019. In 2020, the Program Director role expanded to include Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry within the Office of Academic Enrichment. Claire’s approach is informed by experiential education and high impact practices literature. She is particularly interested in the ethics of community-engaged learning and research as well as the power of experiential education and reflection practices to help students find purpose and meaning in their academics and life.
Zach Hooten, PhD
Program Specialist
Dr. Zach Hooten is a graduate of the PhD program in higher education and student affairs at Ohio State University. While pursuing his PhD, Zach worked as the Director of Research for the Assessment of Collegiate Residential Environments and Outcomes (ACREO) and a research associate for the Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Survey (IDEALS). Zach is passionate about learning design and assessment, teaching, and student support. He has taught college courses related to assessment in higher education, college environments, core issues in higher education, organizational leadership, and service learning and social justice. Before his time at Ohio State, Zach received a master’s degree in college student personnel, a master’s degree in theological studies, and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Dayton.
Caitlin Fagan
Program Specialist
Caitlin Fagan is a graduate of the Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Russian and International Studies. During her time as a student, she worked in front-facing roles as a resident advisor and conference assistant. Currently, she is responsible for student-facing activities within the office. She presents "How to Get Started in Research", hosts workshops related to research activities and meets with campus partners to get students more engaged in undergraduate research. Caitlin is passionate about local issues and being an advocate for members the Ohio State community. She is in the Master of Social Work program at Ohio State and is expected to graduate in Spring 2025.
Ashley Ostroot, PhD
Academic Success and Enrichment Specialist
Dr. Ashley Ostroot is a graduate of the PhD program in the Department of Sociology at Ohio State University. While pursuing her PhD, Ashley conducted research on identity and belonging among African immigrant college students and has taught undergraduate courses at both Ohio State and Columbus State. Before her time at Ohio State, Ashley received her bachelor's and master's degree in Sociology at Florida Atlantic University where she studied agency during the transition to adulthood among college students and worked as a Peer Mentor in the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry. Currently, Ashley oversees the Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP) in Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry at Ohio State. Ashley is passionate about empowering students through undergraduate research and developing evidence-based programs that enrich the student experience.
Office of Academic Enrichment
Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry is a part of the Office of Academic Enrichment. Housed under Student Academic Excellence at The Ohio State University, the Office of Academic Enrichment promotes academic success and community engagement by collaborating with university partners to provide access to high-impact experiential learning opportunities for all Ohio State students.
