Cascade Program

Program Requirements: In collaboration with their faculty-student research team, Cascade Scholars will conduct their research over an 8 to 10 week period in the summer, at the end of which they will submit an abstract of approximately 200 words describing the project and results. Additionally, Cascade Scholars present their results at a research poster session during Family Weekend in October.

Application Process: Cascade applicants will review project descriptions from participating faculty research groups, rank their top three choices, and briefly explain their interest in each project. Applicants will also submit a concise 300-word statement about how becoming a Cascade Scholar will help them achieve their goals at Kenyon and beyond.

Student Eligibility: The Cascade program is intended to provide a pathway into research for students who do not already have established research-based relationships with Kenyon faculty mentors in the natural sciences. Thus, students who, before the semester in which they apply, have received academic credit for mentored research in the natural sciences, or who have held a paid position working on research in a Kenyon lab group are not eligible for participation in Cascade program. They should instead consider an application to the Kenyon Summer Science Scholars program. A student may not apply for both the Kenyon Summer Science Scholars program and the Cascade program in the same year. Students or faculty with questions about student eligibility should contact the Cascade program directors, Drew Kerkhoff and Kerry Rouhier.

Selection Criteria: Cascade Scholars will be selected based on the following criteria:

1. The potential impact of Cascade participation on the student.
2. The match between student interests and the chosen project.
3. Considerations of disciplinary and student diversity, equity, and inclusion.

First generation students and students from groups underrepresented in the natural sciences are especially encouraged to apply.

Faculty interested in mentoring a Cascade Scholar must have an active research lab group with at least one student researcher for the summer, supported through the Kenyon Summer Science Scholars program or other College or external funds. Cascade Scholars are not expected to operate with as much independence as the typical Summer Science Scholar, so faculty are expected to take a more active role their research. They must also be willing to have their summer science students act as peer-mentors to the Cascade Scholar, guiding them in the research process and providing their perspective as a more experienced research student.