In January, NSU’s Farquhar Honors College will be opening the application for the 19th annual Undergraduate Student Symposium (USS) for all undergraduate students. Through poster displays, oral presentations and film showcases, this event celebrates research and creativity, encouraging students to verify their hypotheses on varying topics through innovative approaches.
Since 2001, the USS has been a highlight of NSU’s increasing engagement in research opportunities. “[This] wasn’t the case 20 years ago,” said Don Rosenblum, Dean of the Farquhar Honors College. Rosenblum realized NSU’s commitment to students’ degree completion stating, “I hoped to start [the symposium] so that it could be a beacon [attracting] faculty members who wanted to help students get involved in research and to equally attract students’ attention and interest.”
Unlike most of honors events which are only open for honors students, the symposium welcomes all undergraduate students from all disciplines. “We care and share deeply about every student. There is no sense of competition from one college over another,” explained Rosenblum.
The USS is a multistage event, and preparation for the application may take longer than students think. The proposed project must be secured by a faculty sponsor, so students may want to have a culminating experience in research alongside a faculty member for substantial time before applying for the symposium. The faculty members are considered the most instrumental factor in assisting students with the application as they have the opportunity to see great works from their students in research papers and advise students to expand and present their accomplishments at the USS. Students can also certainly request faculty for a mentorship.
“There is a mandatory CITI training for projects involving human objects for the protection of identity,” said Robin St. George, the Farquhar Honors College’s Academic Program manager. The training is offered online on the CITI training website (about.citiprogram.org/en/homepage/) and is part of the application documents including an online application form and an abstract approved by a faculty member. After being selected to be included in the symposium, participants are recommended to join two optional workshops which will provide clarification for any inquiry and guidance regarding presentation skills.
Since there is no limit for subjects that students can do research on, in order to guarantee the objectivity and accuracy of the judgment, there is a group of 60 to 70 faculty members who will be judging not only the contents of the presentations but also the conveyance of information in which students are able to explain what they have learned and why it is important.
“It is just so intimidating and inspiring to see what those [students] have done and will be able to do in the future. I usually get emails or letters from associates around the country saying that I should be very proud of what my students are doing,” stated Rosenblum eagerly sharing his pride.
“Last year we had a student take third place in national conference and another one who won the first place and [surpassed] doctoral and graduate students. They do impressive things for sure,” said St. George as she reflected on the achievements of the previous USS participants.
Prospective students are encouraged to attend the symposium in April. To learn more about the USS and when applications are open, you can online at honors.nova.edu/student-symposium/index.html or contact Dean Rosenblum at donr@nova.edu or Robin St. George atrobidoug@nova.edu.
Photo: B. Kraus
