FSU College of Education Celebrates Excellence in Research and Creative Works at 2024 Student Research Symposium

Fayetteville State University (FSU) hosted 86 student presenters during its 3rd Annual Student Research Symposium (SRS) in the Rudolph Jones Student Center on May 1.

Participants from diverse fields, such as STEM, Education, Business, Performing and Creative Arts, and Social Sciences, presented insightful research through poster presentations and engaging discussions, underscoring the richness of FSU's academic community. The SRS was a dynamic arena for intellectual exchange and collaboration highlighting the depth of research and creativity within the university community.

“There is an extraordinary amount of planning and preparation that occurs for a symposium to be successfully implemented; I am most grateful for the visionary leadership demonstrated” said Christy Swinson, Ph.D., assistant professor of nursing and symposium judge.

The esteemed event, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education HBCU Master’s Degree Phase II Grant, FSU’s Honors Program and Lloyd College of Health, Science, and Technology, and the College of Education, showcased the theme Celebrating Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities. The SRS was truly a memorable experience with a remarkable 179 attendees, including 66 faculty and staff members and 27 guests comprising of FSU alumni and other dignitaries.

"Attending this year's Student Research Symposium was truly inspiring,” said Dr. Chandrika Johnson, Dean of the College of Education. “Witnessing FSU students and faculty come together to share their innovative research and creative projects reaffirmed the profound impact of academic inquiry and collaboration.”

Symposium award winners were Leslie Mendoza and Frankie Boyer, 1st Place prize, Markis Hamilton, 2nd Place prize and Kelly-Ann Brown, Destiny Darden, and Emery Rausch, 3rd Place. Each winner received a monetary award ranging from three hundred to one hundred dollars for presenting their compelling research award.

The SRS featured remarks by Monica T. Leach, Ed.D., provost & senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, and keynote speeches from esteemed guests from Deloitte, Emmanuel Dawson, supply chain consultant, and Joe Lewis, managing director at Deloitte Life Sciences. The keynote speakers shared invaluable insights from their extensive experience in the industry, enriching the symposium’s theme of scholarship and creative activities with perspectives on real-world applications in their fields. It was concluded with a student panel discussion on the “Impact and Importance of Research”. The all-student panel was a highlight of the symposium.

The Symposium Steering Committee was led by Justin Graham, Ph.D., assistant professor & director of FSU’s Honors Program, and co-chaired by Kimberly Smith-Burton, Ph.D., professor & principle investigator of the HBCU Master’s Degree Grant and Erin White, associate dean of the College of Health, Science & Technology.