2021 Holster Scholars (Defining Studios)
2020 Holster Scholars (Defining Studios)
2019 Holster Scholars (Bri Diaz/UConn Photo)
2018 Holster Scholars (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)
2017 Holster Scholars (Bri Diaz/UConn Photo)
The Holster Scholar Program is a selective enrichment opportunity available only to first-year Honors students. The program supports a small number of motivated students who pursue independent research, design, or creative projects during the summer following their first year. Holster projects are in-depth, individualized learning experiences pursued under the direction of a faculty mentor. Beyond some basic requirements, projects are self-designed.
Program at a Glance
Program At a Glance
In the fall of each year, Honors freshmen may submit applications with a preliminary project proposal. Approximately 12-15 students will then be selected to participate in a one-credit course to develop their proposals, connect with potential mentors and hone their ideas. They will then re-submit final proposals in March and interview with the Holster selection committee.
Approximately 7-10 students will each be awarded grants of up to approximately $4,000 to complete their projects during the summer under the guidance of a faculty mentor and present their work in the fall of their sophomore year at the Holster Scholar Symposium.
Possible Projects
“Think outside the box” in terms of the shape and substance your projects. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Scientific / technical research
- Archival or text-based research
- Creative arts: music, composition, drama, painting, photography, film
- Design work / invention
- Community-based work or service learning
- Field observation / data collection
- Experiential learning related to an academic discipline
Every project must include
- Some form of research and methodology
- Some form of reflection
- Academic writing (even for creative arts, engineering, or experiential learning projects)
Benefits
- Finalists receive permission to join the spring Holster Project Development course.
- Individualized mentoring and guidance from faculty and staff
- Peer support for your intellectual pursuits
- Experience designing, implementing, and presenting your work
- Selected scholars receive up to $4,000 of summer research funding
Funding for projects can be used to support housing, food, equipment, books, copying and printing, travel, and/or any materials you need to complete your project.
2022-23 Timeline
| August | Aug. 30 - 2022-23 application available |
| September | In Person Information Sessions:
Wed., Sept. 14 - 8:00PM, Buckley Classroom Wed., Sept. 21 - 8:00PM, Buckley Classroom Virtual Information Session: Wed., Sept. 14 - 12:00 Noon, Webex Wed., Sept. 28 - 12:00 Noon, Webex Wed., Oct. 5 - 12:00 Noon, Webex Check back for additional dates and times |
| September | Sept. 23: Holster Scholar Fall Symposium - 8:45AM-12:00PM in Konover Auditorium. Public Welcome! This is an Honors Event (#UHLevent10060), and prospective Holster Scholars are strongly encouraged to attend one or more panels. There's no better way to get a sense of what a Holster Scholar project entails than to see the current Scholars present their work. |
| October | Oct 5: 2023 Holster Scholar application will be available on the program website on or before this date.
Entire Month: Interested students should be working actively on their applications. All prospective applicants should schedule an appointment with Dr. Vin Moscardelli (vin.moscardelli@uconn.edu or via Nexus) to discuss their applications, mentor selection strategies, personal statements, etc. |
| November | Nov. 10: Application Deadline. The application will include a brief personal statement; a research proposal; a letter from a HS teacher, counselor, or mentor; and a preliminary recommendation from a UConn faculty member.
Nov. 30: Holster Scholar Program Finalists announced. 12-15 applicants will be selected as Finalists. |
| Spring Semester |
Holster Scholar Finalists take a one-credit proposal development and research preparation course. (The Spring 2023 course - UNIV-1730 - is currently scheduled to meet on Thursday afternoons from 3:30-5:30; please consider scheduling around this block if your application is still pending at the time of pre-registration.) |
| Mid March |
Final proposals due. All Finalists will be interviewed by the selection committee after spring break. |
| April | Holster Scholars (grant recipients) will be named. |
| Summer |
As a Holster Scholar, you will complete your Holster research project the summer after your freshman year. |
| Fall 2023 | You will present your work at a symposium on campus when you return as a sophomore. Your final presentation can take many forms: poster or slide presentation; research paper presentation; creative arts project (musical composition, dramatic staging; painting, photography exhibit; poetry reading, etc.); design model (for engineering, architecture, landscaping or environmental idea); a report on a community based initiative; film/podcast/radio piece. The symposium usually takes place in September. |
A Community of Scholars
In addition to receiving individualized mentoring, the Holster Scholars will provide peer support to each other as they develop their projects. In their sophomore year, they will have the opportunity to serve as mentors to new Holster Scholars and will be encouraged to pursue additional research and enrichment opportunities throughout their UConn careers.
Selection and Eligibility
Eligibility
- Candidates must be freshmen enrolled in the UConn Honors Program
- Currently, only students at the Storrs and Stamford campuses are eligible
- Holster Scholars must maintain “good standing” in the Honors Program
Selection
- Candidates are selected by an interdisciplinary panel of faculty, staff, and administrators
- Finalists are interviewed as part of the selection process
- Criteria for selection are outlined on the application and include a strong written proposal, personal statement, resume, recommendations, and an interview
Program History and Roster of Current & Past Holster Scholars
History
The Holster Scholar Program was inspired by Robert Holster's own excitement in discovering new paths of learning as a member of the inaugural class of UConn's Honors Program. In 2020, we celebrated the accomplishments of the 10th cohort of Holster Scholars.
Since its inception, the program has supported 91 Scholars and 76 different faculty mentors hailing from 36 academic departments spread across eight different schools and colleges (and two centers/institutes). Their work (some of which is archived here) represents the range of disciplinary diversity that exists at UConn and has resulted in patents, publications, art installations, and lifesaving community-interventions both here and abroad. In that time, program alumni have gone on to receive numerous prestigious, nationally-competitive scholarships and fellowships, including the Marshall, Mitchell, Truman, Udall, and Goldwater Scholarships, NSF Graduate Research Fellowships, and various grants awarded through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Alumni currently populate some of the best graduate and professional programs in the world.
Perhaps most importantly, Holster Scholars past and present constitute a community of scholars. Because the awards go to students at an early stage of their development, the program has an outsized impact on the students and their development. In the process, Holster becomes an identity that shapes Scholars' experience throughout their time at UConn, and often beyond.
Learn More About Past Holster Scholars and their Projects
2022 Holster Scholars (current cohort)
Apply or Submit a Recommendation for a Student
Holster Scholar Program Application
The 2022-23 Holster Scholar application will be available on or before October 5.
Deadline: November 10, 2022 @ noon.
Contact
Vin Moscardelli
Director, Office of National Scholarships & Fellowships
Coordinator, Holster Scholars Program
(860) 486-0087
John W. Rowe Building (ROWE) 426A