Between the mandatory papers, research projects, academic obligations and, dear I say, personal commitments, some Temple undergrads have gone above and beyond and made their extra-curriculars a priority too. It’s the dedication that Temple’s student, faculty and staff are known for, from the most celebrated department chair to the newest of freshman.
On Thursday, April 12th, the Temple Undergraduate Research Forum – Creative Works Symposium (TURF-CreWS), will hit a major milestone as the event will be the 19th annual of its kind on Temple’s campus. This conference highlights the work, both vocational and academic (and everything in between), by undergraduates as mentored by graduate students, doctoral candidates and academic mentors. Such topics as Sustainablity, Education, Self-Expression and Technology will of course be on the table, but more refined, specific matters like “The Constrictions and Construction of Gender” will also be discussed.
The Communication Studies Program’s own Kandace Kohr, a sophomore who doubles as the Advertising/Marketing Director for the Communication Studies Club, will be presenting on the informative blog she writes as a “peer adviser in the SCT Student Affairs/Academic Advising Office.” Kandace is a good friend of mine and I feel very proud to be interviewing her on her topic, let alone congratulating her on this special opportunity, so, without further adieu, I give you her responses:
Darragh Friedman: This symposium is a pretty big deal since it means you have to have something to show for the effort you have supposedly put into your “research” project, as all other presenters must. Please describe your presentation and, in your own interpretation, why you believe you were chosen to represent the subject topic of “Experience and Expression.”
Kandace Kohr: My presentation will be on the conception and production of the SCT Student Affairs Student Blog. This blog has stemmed from multiple outlets, but mainly from my position as peer adviser in the Student Affairs Office. It is because of this fact that I believe my presentation has been chosen under “Experience and Expression”; the epitome of this process (the expression) has formed because of my position (the experience).
DF: Undergraduate symposiums are rare since many people, especially in academia, often don’t pay attention or credit undergrad research. Why do you think this is? And how would you personally encourage others, specifically your peers, to be more involved?
KK: I think they are thrown off by their perceptions of undergraduate research; they assume it is very complex and for the elite. Even I thought this, but when I was encouraged to present my creative work, which stemmed from my student job, I began to see that presenting undergraduate research is not limited to or by “white paper” presentations, and so to those looking to follow in this same path, I highly recommend it. Through the process, I have been given much freedom, allowing me to trust myself and my supervisors, and have discovered very much about myself.
DF: As we discussed your project it came up that it’s not necessarily “research.” Please comment on the ever-changing nature and definition of academic pursuits and why, if you even do, believe that education is not necessarily out of books.
KK: I am and always will be an advocate for education through experience. I think that it is the very essence of knowledge and learning (though, I do not subtract books from the equation – I embrace learning through both, but where books fail, experience trumps and vice versa). More and more, especially in our generation, there seems to be such a strong sense of entitlement, where we believe that because we go to such lengths in a pursuit of a higher education, there should be a well-paying career at the end. It is for this reason that I think academic pursuits take a backseat.
DF: How are you planning on presenting this “research” at the symposium?
KK: I am planning on presenting this in a traditional fashion. I tried to come up with some creative ways to present it and still get the point across, but I rather decided to go with a Power Point presentation to keep myself on track (I get really nervous speaking, so I want play it safe!)
DF: Why do you care about your project? Why should anyone else?
KK: I care about this simply because it is my responsibility. Not only is it my job, but it is also my duty to keep up with the blog. Over time, I have come to learn so much from my job, and I believe that I have a responsibility to share the knowledge that I have accrued. As for anyone else, they should care simply because I am a student getting involved on Temple’s campus. It is an exciting sight to see when students get involved because it encourages others to follow suit.
DF: Will this project continue and how so?
KK: This project will continue that I am sure of. Because of Kim’s [Guyer] fiery determination, I am sure she will keep the blog running as I am in London. Right now, we are brainstorming ways to get the word out about the blog, and because of her character, I know that she will keep this idea rolling.
DF: If you have any experiences or lessons that you have learned from your project, please feel free to share them in order to enlighten your peers about the process, the acknowledgment and the power gleaned from such.
KK: I have learned a lot about the administrative side of Temple, something that many students do not get the chance to examine. From policies to faculty and staff, I have taken so much from this experience. It has allowed me to look at both sides of Temple as a student so that I can share my knowledge with my peers. I have learned very much about myself in this process; job and people skills, as well as much more.
Good luck Kandace! CMST is proud of you!!!
-Darragh Friedman
Interview with an Undergraduate Scholar
Between the mandatory papers, research projects, academic obligations and, dear I say, personal commitments, some Temple undergrads have gone above and beyond and made their extra-curriculars a priority too. It’s the dedication that Temple’s student, faculty and staff are known for, from the most celebrated department chair to the newest of freshman.
On Thursday, April 12th, the Temple Undergraduate Research Forum – Creative Works Symposium (TURF-CreWS), will hit a major milestone as the event will be the 19th annual of its kind on Temple’s campus. This conference highlights the work, both vocational and academic (and everything in between), by undergraduates as mentored by graduate students, doctoral candidates and academic mentors. Such topics as Sustainablity, Education, Self-Expression and Technology will of course be on the table, but more refined, specific matters like “The Constrictions and Construction of Gender” will also be discussed.
The Communication Studies Program’s own Kandace Kohr, a sophomore who doubles as the Advertising/Marketing Director for the Communication Studies Club, will be presenting on the informative blog she writes as a “peer adviser in the SCT Student Affairs/Academic Advising Office.” Kandace is a good friend of mine and I feel very proud to be interviewing her on her topic, let alone congratulating her on this special opportunity, so, without further adieu, I give you her responses:
Darragh Friedman: This symposium is a pretty big deal since it means you have to have something to show for the effort you have supposedly put into your “research” project, as all other presenters must. Please describe your presentation and, in your own interpretation, why you believe you were chosen to represent the subject topic of “Experience and Expression.”
Kandace Kohr: My presentation will be on the conception and production of the SCT Student Affairs Student Blog. This blog has stemmed from multiple outlets, but mainly from my position as peer adviser in the Student Affairs Office. It is because of this fact that I believe my presentation has been chosen under “Experience and Expression”; the epitome of this process (the expression) has formed because of my position (the experience).
DF: Undergraduate symposiums are rare since many people, especially in academia, often don’t pay attention or credit undergrad research. Why do you think this is? And how would you personally encourage others, specifically your peers, to be more involved?
KK: I think they are thrown off by their perceptions of undergraduate research; they assume it is very complex and for the elite. Even I thought this, but when I was encouraged to present my creative work, which stemmed from my student job, I began to see that presenting undergraduate research is not limited to or by “white paper” presentations, and so to those looking to follow in this same path, I highly recommend it. Through the process, I have been given much freedom, allowing me to trust myself and my supervisors, and have discovered very much about myself.
DF: As we discussed your project it came up that it’s not necessarily “research.” Please comment on the ever-changing nature and definition of academic pursuits and why, if you even do, believe that education is not necessarily out of books.
KK: I am and always will be an advocate for education through experience. I think that it is the very essence of knowledge and learning (though, I do not subtract books from the equation – I embrace learning through both, but where books fail, experience trumps and vice versa). More and more, especially in our generation, there seems to be such a strong sense of entitlement, where we believe that because we go to such lengths in a pursuit of a higher education, there should be a well-paying career at the end. It is for this reason that I think academic pursuits take a backseat.
DF: How are you planning on presenting this “research” at the symposium?
KK: I am planning on presenting this in a traditional fashion. I tried to come up with some creative ways to present it and still get the point across, but I rather decided to go with a Power Point presentation to keep myself on track (I get really nervous speaking, so I want play it safe!)
DF: Why do you care about your project? Why should anyone else?
KK: I care about this simply because it is my responsibility. Not only is it my job, but it is also my duty to keep up with the blog. Over time, I have come to learn so much from my job, and I believe that I have a responsibility to share the knowledge that I have accrued. As for anyone else, they should care simply because I am a student getting involved on Temple’s campus. It is an exciting sight to see when students get involved because it encourages others to follow suit.
DF: Will this project continue and how so?
KK: This project will continue that I am sure of. Because of Kim’s [Guyer] fiery determination, I am sure she will keep the blog running as I am in London. Right now, we are brainstorming ways to get the word out about the blog, and because of her character, I know that she will keep this idea rolling.
DF: If you have any experiences or lessons that you have learned from your project, please feel free to share them in order to enlighten your peers about the process, the acknowledgment and the power gleaned from such.
KK: I have learned a lot about the administrative side of Temple, something that many students do not get the chance to examine. From policies to faculty and staff, I have taken so much from this experience. It has allowed me to look at both sides of Temple as a student so that I can share my knowledge with my peers. I have learned very much about myself in this process; job and people skills, as well as much more.
Good luck Kandace! CMST is proud of you!!!
-Darragh Friedman