Immersive Scholars are pre-selected, high potential sophomore level students who have received an award for up to $4,000. Over the past decade, students who participated in the Immersive Scholars program have benefitted greatly from working alongside UMass Lowell faculty and staff and local community organizations on research, scholarship, and creative projects.

Not only do the students gain skills and knowledge through their work, but they also build the relationships that help them persist to graduation.

Immersive Scholars may only use their award during the summer (May - August) before their sophomore year OR during their sophomore academic year (September - May).

Immersive Scholars have three program options for their award:

  1. Work in research, scholarship or creative projects on campus with a faculty or staff member.
  2. Work at a community organization (non-profit organization or government agency) in the Lowell area.
  3. Participate in an international experience approved through the UMass Lowell Office of International Experiences and Study Abroad

Hiring information for work supervisors

  • All Immersive Scholars on-campus work and off-campus community work positions MUST be posted on the UMass Lowell JobHawk platform, as students are paid via university payroll.
  • The Immersive Scholars award of up to $4,000 covers approximately 235 hours of work and students cannot exceed that amount.

General expectation for supervisors of Immersive Scholars

  • Post positions and hire student(s) via JobHawk
  • Approve student's hours in JobHawk/ Timesheet X bi-weekly
  • Clearly communicate work/projects / tasks to students
  • Meet with student(s) regularly to set goals and expectations
  • All Immersive Scholars must create a supervisor-approved poster or video for the Immersive Scholars program and the spring Student Research and Community Engagement Symposium