The purpose of the Community Research Project (CRP) is to encourage Excellence, Quality, and Leadership with a focus on Business Consulting, Data Analytics, Financial Optimization, and Process Optimization. CRP offers a unique space for research that aims to improve societal conditions through impactful solutions. 

It encourages innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship, giving students the chance to solve real-world problems before entering the professional world. 

Grounded in High-Impact Practices (HIPs), the CRP offers early undergraduates a low-stakes Senior Design project experience. This hands-on approach allows students to conduct valuable research while simultaneously developing essential professional skills such as team building, leadership, communication with local nonprofit CEOs, research poster design, and presenting their findings to a panel of judges.

Through this process, students gain exposure to both academic and practical applications, preparing them for success in their careers and making a tangible contribution to their communities. 

Key Collaborators of the Program: 

• Team Leadership Collaborations: Each Team Leader is paired with a trained Leadership Coach from the Leadership Education & Development Department. 

• Professional Development: 
  • Students receive presentations and poster design trainings from Dr. Brandy Blake, Director of Professional and Technical Communication
  • Team building training from Dr. Mary Lynn Realff, Director of the Effective Team Dynamics Initiative.
  • Career Center:  Staff helped students maximize their nonprofit project experience on resumes, interviews, career fairs, and LinkedIn to showcase skills.   

• Community Partnerships: Collaborate with organizations like Hartsfield Atlanta Airport Chamber and Foundation, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, STEM Atlanta, and the Ann Cephus Foundation. 

• High Impact Practices (HIPs): Engage in undergraduate research, collaborative assignments, and service learning to promote civic engagement and community impact. 

Benefits 

Participating in the Community Research Project offers numerous benefits: 

• Enhanced Retention: Hands-on learning improves knowledge retention. 

• Skill Development: Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and decision-making skills.