Organized by the Network for Undergraduate Research in Virginia (NURVa), students from 16 Virginia colleges and universities showcased their research across various disciplines in a public session designed to highlight the impact of undergraduate research to members of the Virginia General Assembly. Among those helping to advance this mission is McGavacks Professor of Biology and Director of Undergraduate Research Michael Wolyniak, who serves as NURVa’s vice-chair and plays a key role in promoting and supporting undergraduate research.
“Our goal is to promote undergraduate research as a high-impact practice in teaching and learning across the commonwealth and to hold events and meetings that showcase student research activities to the public, as well as to those in positions to support undergraduate research as a central part of the undergraduate experience,” Wolyniak says. “I am one of the NURVa officers who plan and coordinate our in-person and virtual activities, including an annual research conference that Hampden-Sydney has hosted twice in recent years.
“In addition, my role as the director of undergraduate research and creative activity is to find ways to increase accessibility to research opportunities for students from all majors and programs across Hampden-Sydney, as well as to develop programming that showcases the wide variety of high-quality work our students do in classroom-based and independent research. This includes managing a robust summer research program in which a handful of our students work closely with faculty on projects on and off campus, coordinating the Hurt Scholars program to attract and retain top STEM talent at the College, working with students to identify off-campus research opportunities in national programs as well as with alumni, finding ways to support student travel to professional conferences across the nation, and running programs that celebrate Hampden-Sydney student research at various points throughout the year.”
That commitment to undergraduate research is reflected in the work of Hampden-Sydney students like Andrew and Luis, who present their research on and off the Hill. At the poster presentation, Andrew shared research conducted under Elliott Associate Professor of Rhetoric Sean Gleason on the development of a virtual museum showcasing Yup’ik archaeology and culture in Alaska’s Y-K Delta, while Luis presented his work under Myers Associate Professor of Government and Foreign Affairs Celia Carroll Jones, examining urban versus rural homelessness.
As Hampden-Sydney continues to cultivate top-tier scholars, this presentation highlights yet another example of our students engaging with influential audiences, showcasing their expertise, and demonstrating the transformative power of research. The extensive research opportunities at Hampden-Sydney prepare our students in countless ways, equipping them with the skills to engage confidently with diverse audiences on their research topics.
“The experience of preparing and presenting my research was very interesting,” Luis says. “I had never designed a research poster before and had to get creative with the information. Presenting at the General Assembly was especially exciting given my background in government research. I had the opportunity to meet with Virginia lawmakers and connect with recent Hampden-Sydney alumni, including Nathan Joyner ’23. This experience provided valuable insights into how I can further develop my research and contribute to efforts that support Virginia residents facing homelessness.”
Andrew added to the discussion, saying, “I always enjoy presenting my work in a professional setting, as it helps me see how the public will engage with these types of products. Speaking to the Virginia House of Delegates was a great opportunity to further advocate for the use of technology as a tool for preserving and passing on Indigenous knowledge and culture. In addition, presenting my research to archaeologists and history professors allowed me to receive valuable feedback from experts in the field, which is incredibly beneficial to my work.”
As our students continue to push the boundaries of research at Hampden-Sydney, the possibilities for their future are endless. These experiences help them cultivate essential skills in communication—clarity, ambition, and energy—that will not only benefit them during their time at the College but also pave the way for their success in their careers and their endeavors.