Donna Llewellyn served as the founding director of the Institute and played a central role in advancing undergraduate research and mentoring at Boise State. She worked to make transformative change on campus by expanding mentored research opportunities, strengthening support and improving systems for students and faculty, and helping to bring initiatives such as ASSERT and Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) to Boise State.
Donna was also a key leader in major EPSCoR-supported efforts, including projects like GEM3 and I-CREWS, where she helped connect statewide research investments with student opportunities and faculty and workforce development. Her work in these areas shaped the infrastructure and partnerships that the Undergraduate Research and Mentoring Institute builds on today.
The Donna Llewellyn Fund for Undergraduate Research was created to honor Donna’s contributions and to provide ongoing support for undergraduate researchers at Boise State. The fund was launched at the 2024 Undergraduate Research Showcase in recognition of her retirement and long-standing commitment to student success.
Donna Llewellyn Fund for Undergraduate Research
Support from this fund helps undergraduates engage in mentored research and creative projects, reduce financial barriers to participation, and share their work with broader audiences.