Photos by Ralph Freso
Grand Canyon University academic leaders choose a select group of students annually to present their projects at the Canyon Undergraduate Research Symposium in front of GCU President Brian Mueller and university's executives.
This year, students chosen for the symposium delved into a variety of topics, from early childhood education and Christian character to virtual reality, the use of artificial intelligence and the effects of student leadership.
“We have six phenomenal presentations today, and this is becoming highly competitive,” Ingram Honors College Dean Dr. Breanna Naegeli said. “These students have done so much work behind the scenes, and so much of it is outside the classroom. There were well over 30 different groups to sort through when making today’s selection, so it certainly wasn’t first come, first serve.”
The event was part of the annual Canyon Undergraduate Research Conference, which featured more than 110 poster presentations and 59 oral presentations on research and projects displayed in Antelope Gymnasium, the West Lecture Hall and the Engineering Building.
The students represented various colleges, but students in specific programs were highlighted, such as Canyon Emerging Scholars, Ingram Honors College and the Canyon Journal of Undergraduate Research.
The projects represent the culmination of students’ academic work throughout the academic year and dedication to research outside of the classroom. While each student is paired with a faculty advisor for mentorship, work primarily hinges on the students' own time and effort.
Juniors Judah Floyd, Mishayla Varner and Luke Lascurain decided to develop a research project called “Reimagining the Impossible: Leadership Inside Out,” on the effects of leadership in students’ academic, social and spiritual well-being at GCU.
“Through this research, we learned that where you live on campus is not what is important,” Floyd said. “It is the student leaders making consistent and positive impact across campus.
“We want to empower other students to step into leadership because we know it’s what makes this campus amazing, and they can influence our culture academically, socially and spiritually.”
Every resident hall on campus includes a group of resident assistants and life leaders. They are students who support fellow students socially and spiritually.
RAs host community gatherings and ensure students are informed on ways to get involved on campus, while life leaders host weekly Bible studies and support students in their spiritual growth.
Floyd, Varner and Lascurain wanted to find out what difference those student leaders make in one’s college experience and if the impact is influenced by specific buildings. They conducted a survey by visiting every residence hall and asking students a variety of questions about their living experience.
“We discovered that GCU cultivates an equally positive experience, no matter which building a student chooses to live in,” Lascurain said. “A student that lives in the Grove (freshman dormitory) saw no statistical change in their academic, social or spiritual well-being from someone that lives in the Rivers (East campus apartments).”
Added Varner, “We gathered a total of 872 responses when we only expected 300. Students answered these questions based off what they view as effective, and while there is usually a correlation with their building location, it is not a causation.
“To create a community, it all depends on your mindset, how you approach the world and being a welcoming servant like the Lord.”
Their research showed that 71.3% of students surveyed strongly agree or agree that RAs and life leaders have a positive impact on their daily lives.
With their results, the trio hopes to encourage the university to continue in its Christian model of student leadership and motivate students to become those leaders who can have a profound impact on someone’s college experience.
Additional oral presentations showcased at the symposium included:
- “Christian Character Education Platform” by Anna Zamora and Bryn Miller.
- “Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education Partnership” by Madeleine Emmons, Skylar Rick and Hailey Aguilera.
- “The Image Dei and the Life of Prayer” by Zachary Johnson.
- “Experiencing Awe in Virtual Reality” by Shagun Kamboj, Abigaile N. Goble, Ashley Lopez, Miranda Courtney and Colin O’Reilly
- “ASL Translator” by Gavin Higgins, Truong Anh Dao Nguyen, Victoria Howard, Tayton Cousineau and Kimberly Norton
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
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