by Amari Lindo on October 26, 2024
Junior Zoe Jones (Communication and Creative Writing double major with a concentration in Publishing & Editing ‘25) conducted research this summer as part of the Summer Scholars program with the help of her mentor, Dr. Teresa Milbrodt, Roanoke College English and Communication Studies professor. Her project titled, Here, Queer, Black, and Functional: Mending Holes in Black Literature, focuses on the expansion of Black authors and specific topics of ethnic conflict in literature to write a novel. A majority of her research involved reading one book per week for nine weeks, then completing an annotated bibliography discussing how helpful the book was for her novel. From this process, she could reflect on the works of other Black authors and how she wished to further craft engaging works that discuss certain topics in Black contemporary literature. Zoe would go on to write her weekly chapters ranging from 5,000 to 11,000 words, and her hard work would ultimately become a novel draft of 100,958 words total. Her novel touches on complex topics including struggles in the corporate world, childbirth, and mental health for Black women, reaching out to people and doing personal research to achieve an authentic portrayal of her characters. Participating in the Summer Scholars program allowed Zoe to grow and learn as an author using her knowledge of publishing whilst combining her passion for writing and communication to simulate the journey of a full-time author. With this research, Zoe plans to revise her novel and send it out into the world of publication.
Congratulations and we cannot wait to read your first novel!
by Amari Lindo on October 7, 2024
Senior Madison Snyder (Psychology major & sociology minor, December ’24) conducted research over the summer through RC’s Summer Scholars program. Her project titled, Differences in Stress Between Freshmen and Seniors Focusing on Presenting, investigates the differences in stress between college freshmen and seniors while enduring public speaking. Using the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) model, she has started collecting data from senior participants focusing on a variety of details such as stuttering, eye contact, and the accuracy of the presentation. Applying to Summer Scholars gave Madison great opportunities to further conduct research and allowed for the growth of new and existing skills. During the summer, she gained experience with the Institutional Review Board to approve her study as well as undergoing Social and Behavioral Research CITI training. Additionally, Madison learned how to compose multiple surveys, how to use electrodes, and the Mindware device responsible for collecting heart rate data. Her short-term goals for this research include accurately collecting physiological and self-reporting data; she aims to understand how heart rates differ between baseline, preparation, and presentation segments. Furthermore, she aims to determine whether seniors’ experience with presenting correlates to the amount of stress involved. Her long-term goals are to seek further research and understand stress management options, utilizing the results to consider which options are best for specific groups. Madison would like to thank her advisor, Dr. Kennedy-Metz, Roanoke College psychology professor, for providing guidance throughout the process, and Dr. Carter, Roanoke College psychology professor and Director of Experiential Learning, for hosting the Summer Scholars events, providing research information, and explaining the process.
Congratulations and we look forward to seeing your success in the future!