Edward H. Arnold and Jeanne Donlevy Arnold Grant Program

These experiential learning grants are intended to stimulate independent and student-faculty collaborative research in diverse disciplines. The Arnolds hope that the program will “enable faculty to engage students in research across the curriculum and possibly open new avenues of exploration previously unconsidered.” Dr. Marc Harris, dean of the faculty, notes, “Student-faculty research projects and independent student research experiences provide transformative learning opportunities for our students and are a hallmark of an LVC education. We are so grateful for the Arnold’s commitment and support of these high impact experiences, their unwavering generosity has led to transformative outcomes for countless students across the Institution.”

Another purpose of the grants is to encourage students to take advantage of unique internship opportunities that will provide valuable, résumé-boosting experience. Previous recipients have secured exciting internships in Delaware, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Washington, D.C., Florida, and Spain. 

Funds are awarded through a systematic process overseen by Dr. Laura Eldred, assistant dean, and director of constellation LVC, and the Arnold Grant Selection Committee, which includes faculty representatives from the three major academic divisions. Dr. Erica Unger, assistant professor of biology, represents the natural sciences; Dr. Kshama Harpankar, assistant professor of economics, represents the social sciences; and Dr. Justin Morell, assistant professor of music, represents the humanities. 

The experiential learning grants fund:

• Student-faculty research projects across the curriculum
• Independent summer student research or scholarly projects
• Independent student domestic or international internships

Award ranges for each of the three categories are as follows:

• Student-faculty research projects can request grant funding in the range of $3,000 to $10,000 each.
• Independent student research project proposals can request from $500 to $3,000 each.
• Internship experience proposals can request from $500 to $3,000 each.

The Arnolds hope that "These grants will help remove financial impediments and enable students to pursue research and internship opportunities they could not previously consider due to their personal economic situation."