Research and Academic Excellence
The Research and Academic Excellence team focuses on providing research and academic quality support across the institution. These partnerships aim to increase student success, develop innovative curriculum, and enhance resources for students and faculty. Our aim is to ensure that programs exemplify academic rigor at all educational levels and help students develop the research, thinking, and communication skills to contribute to their field and advance their careers.
Leadership
Director, Research and Academic Excellence - Dr. Kelsey Hotaling
Associate Dean
Associate Dean, Curriculum and Assessment - Dr. Stacey Tucker
Director
Director, Academic and Library Services - Kara Rawlings
Staff
Manager, Research and Academic Excellence - Corey Huffman
Academic Coordinator - Michelle Shuff
At APUS, research culture is defined as a community of scholars and practitioners who share a commitment to research and scholarly integrity, a passion for the production of new knowledge, and expertise in the application of that knowledge in innovative, interdisciplinary contexts. Providing resources for faculty and student research is a priority for our institution. The Graduate Studies and Research team supports research initiatives across the university:
- Awarding $100,000 in faculty research grants on an annual basis through a peer-review process.
- Sponsoring the 3 Minute Thesis competition annually for master’s students and offers webinars on preparing for the graduate capstone requirements.
- Providing research support and maintaining research integrity through the Institutional Review Board for approving human subjects research.
- Partnering with the Policy Studies Organization to co-sponsor conferences and peer-reviewed journals edited by APUS faculty.