Our History
Diverse Student Scholars started in the fall of 2007 when in her first semester of teaching at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) Dr. Jeanetta D. Sims began making announcements in her undergraduate classes that she enjoyed working with students on research projects; she encouraged interested students to contact her after class for being a part of her research team. From that in-class announcement, one student enrolled in an independent study course to work on research during the fall semester.
Since 2007, the DSS program has grown, become more formalized, and expanded to be more nimble in accommodating research interests and schedules of more than 86 DSS students.
The growth has come from numerous UCO students working as research assistants through independent research studies, funded RCSA student grants, funded STLR student grants, funded faculty grants, and funded support from Dr. Sims’ university appointments.
Today, DSS is still the primary contribution of Dr. Sims as a single faculty member with additional faculty joining her in mentoring and working with DSS students when she collaborates with these faculty on research projects.
Fall 2007
Fall 2008
Fall 2008
Fall 2011
Spring 2011
Fall 2012
Spring 2013
Fall 2014
Fall 2015
Spring 2016
Spring 2016
Spring 2017
Diverse Student Scholars Work Begins
1st Funded RCSA Student Grant
Top Paper Award at the National Communication Association Conference
DSS Student Involvement Tops 25 Students
100% Research Integration in Digital Media & Content Marketing Course
DSS Independent Research Studies Tops 20
Top Paper Award at the Marketing Management Association Conference
DSS Achieves 10 Publications
100% Research Integration in PR & Marketing Campaigns Course
1st Funded STLR Student Grant
Top Paper Award at the North American Management Society Conference
Dr. Sims Elected a Councilor with the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR)
Spring 2018
Spring 2018
100% Research Integration in Business Leadership & Identity Course
Top Paper Award at the Marketing Management Association Conference
Spring 2019
Spring 2019
Fall 2019
DSS Funded Research on behalf of UCO Alumni Association
DSS Independent Studies Tops 35 Students
DSS Achieves 100 Conference Presentations
Fall 2019
DSS Published "Inspired Learning"
Spring 2020
DSS Funded RCSA Grants Tops 30