Summer Research Provides High-Impact Experiences

07/29/2024

Student-faculty research can be transformative for our students. While students participate in faculty-led research projects throughout the academic year, the Muskie Fellows program provides an opportunity for students to work closely with faculty members over the summer in mentored research and creative works.

Students selected as Muskie Fellows typically receive a stipend for their participation in the program as well as summer housing within university facilities for the period of their fellowship.

"Student-faculty research is a high impact practice that transforms student learning," Provost Jennifer Dugan said. "Muskingum is proud to offer this distinctive program to our students and their faculty mentors."

This summer, four students were selected as Muskie Fellows.

Professor of History and Schwartz Faculty Scholar Laura Hilton has been working with Christopher Brison '25, an Education and History major, since January on a grant-funded project to develop continuing education workshops on the Holocaust. The Muskie Fellows program allowed Christopher to continue his research, which focused on the content as well as how to teach the Holocaust.

This summer Ethan Carpenter '27, a Biology major, is participating in data collection on focal grassland bird species at The Wilds. Homer A. Anderson Distinguished Professor of Natural Science Danny Ingold and Bill and Martha Lovejoy Professor of Biology Jim Dooley have been conducting research at The Wilds since 1988. Ethan's work continues to support the research, which provides insights into habitats that impact grassland birds.

Assistant Professor of Sociology Michelle Oyakawa is supervising the work of Rebekah Nolette '25, a Psychology, Pre-Social Work, and Gender Studies major, who is conducting research on LGBTQ+ homeschoolers and their mental health. Rebekah was homeschooled herself, and her research is unique in that it focuses on adult individuals who were homeschooled as children.

Gracyn Armstrong '27, a Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science major, is working with Professor of Chemistry and Director of Environmental Science Lois Zook on a collaborative study of water samples collected from farm tile drainage sites in Muskingum County. Gracyn's research is shared with the Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District, who shares the results with the regions farmers, so they can learn about any potential impacts on the environment.

The Muskie Fellows program not only supports our students in expanding their learning about their particular areas of study, it also affords them the opportunity to make a direct impact on the region and state.