Success Stories

Successes from last year

With the successful completion of the 2006 summer edition, the REU HCI program is now entering its second year. While it is too early to track successes in the 2006 program, there are many instances of positive feedback from the first group of young researchers.

For a brief description of the projects from last year's program, see the HCI REU 2006 Tech Report.

Check out the pictures from last year's research symposium, weekly lunches with HCI greats, and orientation.

Here is a selection of emails/feedback received from the 2006 HCI REU participants.

“… I'm taking our graduate NLP course now so that I can be more involved next semester. That class is turning out to be a lot more work than I bargained for during senior year, but is helping me a lot. It's very different being in a class that moves at such a quick pace and is filled with PhD students. I think all of the discussions that we had during the [sic] REU helped me a lot and I can see it in this class. I know its weird, but sometimes I get really shy around people who I think are smarter than me because I just get scared that I'll say something dumb. Now I feel like I can speak on anyone's level and sound intelligent so I have no problems talking in class. I really can't say enough about the program and how much it has lifted my confidence. Look for some more applicants from Pitt next year because I'm spreading the word…”

“Before the [REU] program, research, graduate school and the road to my PhD was this obscure amorphous idea and now I feel like I have a grasp on them. Now I'm more excited about research and have a more clearly defined plan of action.”

“I really enjoyed my time here [at the REU program] and have benefited tremendously. I have met peers that I will be in contact with for the rest of my life and established a network and support system that will help me navigate throughout the academy.”