Middlesex Community College hosted the 14th annual Commonwealth Honors Program (CHP) Research Conference on Wednesday, April 30. During the event, Middlesex honors students presented and discussed their research projects with the community.
“My experience in the Honors Program at MCC has been incredibly rewarding and transformative,” said Nilsu Buyuk, an MCC psychology honors student, of Watertown. “The CHP conference is an excellent environment for students to develop a variety of skills, especially public speaking and presentation abilities. Additionally, the honors conference offers a chance to build a strong network with other MCC honors students and faculty members. It’s inspiring to see what kinds of projects others are working on, and it creates space to exchange ideas and learn from one another.”
Buyuk’s presentation compared teenage girls’ lives in Afghanistan with those in the United States. Crediting her professors for their guidance, she believes her experience working on the presentation was “enjoyable and slightly challenging.” Participating in the CHP has built her confidence, as well as helped her improve her leadership, communication and collaboration skills.
An MCC world languages honors student, of Dracut, Carina Rivera created a project entitled “Resistance in the Form of Art.” Focused on artists using their art to spread knowledge, Rivera worked with her professors to expand her research from one artist to include others. A visual learner, she was nervous about how to best create her presentation, but she felt supported by the college faculty and staff.
“I struggled in school as a kid and never thought of myself as an honors student,” Rivera said. “I wanted to try [the honors program] out and see if I could prove myself wrong. I have felt right at home among my professors and peers. This opportunity has taken me out of my comfort zone and given me a confidence boost as a speaker and student. It’s great to see everyone showcase their hard work.”
Setting up their projects in the Bedford campus cafeteria, students shared slides and spoke on their topics. At the end, the participating students received awards for their presentations. For CJ Muenks, an MCC history, politics and global studies honors student, of Lowell, the CHP was a way to expand his learning opportunities. His presentation focused on Native American religious practices and how European colonialism affected them.
“I had never had the opportunity to present to my peers as a confident adult,” Muenks said. “Just being able to practice public speaking is incredibly beneficial, but also our professors were incredible instigators of critical conversation. Middlesex has reignited my passion for learning, as I have had extremely supportive professors and made numerous friends.”
Jason North, an MCC biology honors student, of Groton, was recommended to join the CHP by his professors. Focusing his presentation on the emergence, evolution and culture causes of a stigma behind nuclear technology, he combined his interests in nuclear chemistry with history and politics. Through the program, North improved his research and time management skills, as well as honed his professionalism.
“I benefitted from having what I wrote critiqued and examined, because I got a taste for what the expectations are for prestigious research,” North said. “I feel closer to my professors now having connected with them, both on the mechanics of the research and their interest in my topic itself.”
MCC’s 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.
Required for every honors course, students are expected to present their research projects at a conference before graduating. After selecting a topic, students develop a research question and use both primary and secondary sources to guide their project. The goal is to hone students’ research, analysis and organization skills, according to Binnur Ercem, MCC’s Professor of Sociology & Cultural Anthropology and Director of the CHP.
“Students refine their arguments, create visual or multimedia presentations, and practice their public speaking skills to confidently share their work with the campus community,” Ercem said. "CHP’s annual research conference is an opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate our students' intellectual curiosity, academic achievements, determination, perseverance, hard work, and love of learning."