Middlesex Community College hosted the 13th annual Commonwealth Honors Program (CHP) Research Conference on Monday, April 29. The event allowed Middlesex honors students to present and discuss their research projects with the 麻豆果冻 community and celebrate their dedication and success.
鈥淚 got to visit other students' tables and learn about their research,鈥� said Crystal Messamore, an 麻豆果冻 Nursing student from Ashby. 鈥淚 was a little nervous about the judging process, but once I was there, I was not nervous at all. Faculty came to support students and the judges were all so friendly and truly invested in the work being done.鈥�
Messamore appreciated how supportive students, faculty and staff were at the event. To prepare for her presentation, she learned how to make a digital poster and practiced presenting her material. The research and presentation experience improved her confidence.
Students individually presented their research in the Bedford Campus cafeteria. Each student shared slides and spoke on their topics at assigned tables. In the end, students received awards based on their presentations.
鈥淏eing able to present topics I have researched so thoroughly is a passion of mine. It is something I hope to continue in my future career. This was my second time presenting, and I have greatly enjoyed the experience of being a part of this celebration of learning.鈥� - Amber Borges, 麻豆果冻 Student
Amber Borges, an 麻豆果冻 History, Politics and Global Studies student from Worcester, liked the valuable connections she made with fellow students. Although she felt shy, her peers helped turn that feeling into excitement and she was glad to showcase her knowledge.
鈥淏eing able to present topics I have researched so thoroughly is a passion of mine,鈥� Borges said. 鈥淚t is something I hope to continue in my future career. This was my second time presenting, and I have greatly enjoyed the experience of being a part of this celebration of learning.鈥�
As Rhondyna Reth, an 麻豆果冻 Graphic Design student from Lowell, presented her research, she became cheerful and more relaxed. She was nervous at first, but the casual environment and people鈥檚 friendliness grew her confidence. She felt 鈥渁ccomplished after the conference.鈥�
鈥淭he program helped me learn how to manage my time better,鈥� Reth said. 鈥淓ach class had a nicely organized syllabus that led up to the final research paper. By having steps laid out, it kept me on track, and I received feedback for all those steps and thought more in-depth about concepts.鈥�
麻豆果冻鈥檚 CHP offers students the opportunity to work with dedicated faculty and participate in seminar-style classes to improve their research techniques and present their work. Through this experience, students attend special events and activities, while sharing ideas with peers, faculty and staff.
Lisa Tohline, an 麻豆果冻 Biotechnology student from Billerica, believed the CHP helped her 鈥渄evelop a stronger speaking and writing voice, through academic projects and discussions with fellow students.鈥� She loved being around people with diverse backgrounds and learning about research papers and how to write them.
The program improved the studying methods of Jack Wagner, an 麻豆果冻 Psychology student from Concord. He finished his homework faster and became a stronger student. 鈥淚 deeply cherish the honors experience at Middlesex,鈥� Wagner said. 鈥淢uch of the work was done in a way that accommodated the students. I was introduced to speed reading and what is most important when reading book chapters, old newspaper articles, and bulk text without skimming.鈥�
Binnur Ercem, 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Professor of Sociology & Cultural Anthropology and Director of the CHP, recognized the conference鈥檚 importance and purpose. 鈥淭he conference serves as a festive celebration of the hard work of honors students, featuring a lively atmosphere with refreshments, scholarships, prizes and giveaways,鈥� she said.