Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education

THInC - where Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education goes for research support

The Herb Innovation Center (THInC) serves as a pivotal resource for graduate students in the Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education. We are dedicated to fostering innovative research practices and enhancing scholarly development. Our mission is to support and empower students through comprehensive research assistance, workshops, and collaborative opportunities.

Summary of resources available to you

3M Competition: Our 3M Research Competition serves as the Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education preliminary round to the prestigious university-wide Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. Winners who place in late-track 3M will move onto UToledo's 3MT, and if chosen as a winner there can move on to the regional 3MT competition.

Research: We explain what research is (hint: it's not an essay) and offer personalized guidance on research design, methodology, data analysis, and literature review, helping students refine their research questions and develop robust proposals.

THInC Series: Our center hosts regular workshops on various research topics, including qualitative and quantitative methods, data visualization, and academic writing, equipping students with essential skills for their studies.
More: Supplemental writing assistance, faculty mentors, GSA reps, and resources

testimonials from current and past graduate students

Kristen Porter

Doctoral candidate in Educational Psychology

Our conversation was insightful and provided me with valuable direction as I navigate my journey. Engaging in discussions like ours greatly enhances my drive to balance full-time work, family, and the challenges of completing my dissertation. I’m now even considering the possibility of publication, which I hadn’t previously thought about. Thank you once again, and I look forward to our continued discussions and my participation in the SMART and SHARE series.

Christopher Wojciechowski

Doctoral candidate in Educational Research and Measurement

Participating in the THInC 3MT competition provided me with an opportunity to view my own research through the perspective of an outsider, paring down jargon and focusing on plain language. I believe that participation in the Early Track competition had a positive impact on the quality of my dissertation’s Chapter 1. 

Donovan Nichols

Doctoral candidate in Higher Education

As a doctoral student, writing dozens of pages isn’t the hard part for me. Synthesizing those dozens of pages into a few impactful words is the real challenge. The THInC 3MT competition pushed me in the right direction and stimulated me to be more thoughtful and purposeful as I conduct my research.

Carolani Green

Doctoral student in Higher Education

THInC is providing me with invaluable real-world experience in research and working in higher education as a Research Assistant. I’m a PhD student in the Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education and while I have a master’s degree, I never conducted or participated in university level research before. Getting guidance and support in real research is helping me prepare for my dissertation and giving me confidence in my research abilities. I’m very grateful for the help and opportunities provided by THInC and am excited to get into research!

Share your Testimonial

Have you worked with THInC recently and would like to have your testimonial put up for other students? Email us at herbinnovationcenter@utoledo.edu 

By fostering a vibrant research community, the Herb Innovation Center aims to cultivate the next generation of educational researchers, ensuring that graduate students have the tools and support needed to succeed in their academic endeavors.