Miami, Nov. 28, 2022 – This semester, Miami Dade College (MDC) students have been immersed in original, qualitative research on a variety of topics in the humanities. They will present their research projects at the Humanities Edge Undergraduate Research Virtual Symposium on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m. The symposium is free and open to the public.
Students will be presenting projects as part of the Humanities Edge Undergraduate Research Program (HE-URP), a Mellon-funded program for Miami Dade College-to-Florida International University transfer students majoring in the humanities. The students work on developing research skills as they uncover surprising insights through their work.
“Research is not something you learn or accomplish overnight,” said Kirk Paskal, the Humanities Edge grant director. “Rather, it’s a journey that requires tenacity, creativity, discipline and passion.”
Numerous HE-URP students have also presented their research on national platforms, such as the Humanities Education Research Association (HERA) Conference, the National Conference on Undergraduate Research and the Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium.
“Through the Humanities Edge Undergraduate Research Program, we have seen our students tackle challenging, diverse and creative issues that mirror the realities of society, said MDC Vice Provost of Academic Affairs Dr. Michaela Tomova. “Developing a platform where students can publicly share their research and discoveries has enabled them to forge a gateway between academia and the world beyond the classroom. We consider this to be priceless.”
This opportunity has been made possible through the generosity of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, as part of the three-year Community College Partnership grant program that MDC and FIU were awarded first in 2017 and then again in 2020. MDC students that have participated in the Humanities Edge Undergraduate Research Program enrich their academic pathways through their own unique perspectives on student-led research topics as supported by a dedicated team of faculty mentors and librarians. Through this work, the Humanities Edge program contributes to an innovative and collaborative academic experience.
The Humanities Edge grant program aims to create a supportive academic experience that values and leverages diversity and seeks to broaden appreciation for the humanities. The program continues to build evidence-based practices for both MDC and FIU to address the national need for diverse humanities scholarship and application through activities including: enhanced workforce development preparation; student support; parallel cohorts at both institutions; robust curriculum alignment efforts; faculty development opportunities; and expanded advising and peer writing mentor programs.
Empowerment through Education, LLC planned and organized the undergraduate research program and the virtual symposium in coordination with The Humanities Edge: An MDC-FIU Pathway Partnership.
WHAT: The Humanities Edge Undergraduate Research Virtual Symposium
WHEN: Thursday, December 1, at 6 p.m.
WHERE: https://libraryguides.mdc.edu/HEURPFALL22
For more information, please contact Kirk Paskal, Grant Director at kpaskal@mdc.edu.