Highlands College Student Presents at National Conference

Highlands College Associate of Science student, Melissa Casey, presented research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) last week at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO). This gerontology study, about elders, focused on the intergenerational exchange of entertainment preferences between elders and undergraduate student researchers. This project was partially funded through a RAMP scholarship which is a faculty mentored and designed team project for freshman and sophomore students. Additionally, one Psychological Research Methods student, Logan Randall, and six Sociological and Psychology of Aging students contributed to this project: Charlena Isaacson, Michaela Bell, Heidi Fox, Kathryn Stephenson, Alexus Scott, and Brittany Tadday.

“It was exciting and a little overwhelming,” said Melissa. “It was wonderful to get to present my research. But it was amazing participating in this national conference and meeting other students and seeing their research.” This quote reminds me of my mentor, Dr. Lovell, “a lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could – she is my someone.”

Attendees at this national conference included more than 4,000 students and faculty mentors, representing 435 universities across all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C. and 13 other countries. NCUR is dedicated to promoting undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity in all fields of study and sponsors an annual national conference.

“I am proud of Melissa,” said Highlands College Dean, Dave Gurchiek. “It was impressive that this research was accepted at this national conference. It was very impressive, however, that she participated as a two-year student.”

Melissa was accompanied to the conference by her Research Methods and Psychology of Aging instructor and mentor, Dr. Elyse D. Lovell, who, coincidentally, received her bachelor and master’s degrees from UCO.

For any further information about this issue or any issue pertaining to Montana Tech or Highlands College, please contact Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828 or Dave Gurchiek at 406-496-3714.