Students! Are you ready for an academic research competition that includes cash prizes, course credit and one-on-one time with a staff mentor? Today, Jan. 21, is the last day to sign up for this competition; Concordia’s annual President’s Academic Showcase of Undergraduate Research. 

The President’s Academic Showcase is a unique experience open to all students on campus. This competition is highly regarded in the CUI community, giving participants an opportunity to learn from professionals on the moving parts of academic research and prepare them for future vocations. Students will learn to write a full research paper, design an academic poster and present their findings in front of a panel. Over $5,000 in prizes are awarded among the winners, and the top-ranking students will represent the CUI community in a live broadcast. 

Though the competition hones in on these specific skills, the showcase has additional value beyond writing, researching and presenting. Dr. Nathan Meier, CU Judo Club Instructor and Kinesiology Department professor, sees the competition as a way to grow in personal vocations, critical thinking, organizational skills and more.

Meier said that “most students learn a lot about how to manage a complex project, organize and analyze data, and develop strong written and oral communication skills. Time with a mentor, one-on-one, is a very formative process, which teaches students how to receive feedback and improve their work like few other experiences have offered.” After participating in the showcase, Meier explained that students often used their research experience for graduate school applications or as a resume builder for future interviews. 

Sign up today so you don’t miss out on this opportunity! “This specific event is a unique experience and a strength of our institution in preparing our students for their future vocations!  Take advantage of your chances to grow academically and personally,” said Meier. Sign up forms are found on www.cui.edu/academicprograms/undergraduate/showcase. Contact Dr. Nathan Meier at nathan.meier@cui.edu for any questions.

Tags: Academic Showcase, community, Education, event

---

About Adyson Casteel

Adyson Casteel is a senior undergraduate student at Concordia University Irvine, studying Mass Communications. Adyson works as the Campus Editor for the university’s student-led newspaper, the Concordia Courier. Adyson is from Minden, NV, about 20 minutes from South Lake Tahoe, where she has the unique pleasure of both living on a ranch and spending time on the lake. 

In Adyson’s current role as Campus Editor, she writes her own articles for each edition, and oversees other campus articles from her peers. Adyson investigates the latest happenings on campus and student life, and turns them into newsworthy articles for Concordia community to enjoy. She conducts interviews from various campus sources, strengthening her articles with credibility and connecting her to many diverse individuals in the community. 

Adyson believes that everyone should step out of their comfort zone, and go the extra mile to grow in whatever you love to do. She strives to gain experience from many different fields within communications and marketing, including her work experience at Weidinger Public Relations, the firm that puts on the largest media-covered event in Tahoe; the American Century Championship Celebrity Golf Tournament.   

More articles by Adyson Casteel