PSFA Students Honored at Student Research Symposium 2021

Each spring semester, SDSU recognizes outstanding scholarly accomplishments of SDSU students, granting them scholarships and a public forum to present their research, scholarship, and creative activities.

by Gabriela Romero

April 30, 2021

With more than 300 participants, the 14th annual SDSU Student Research Symposium shined a light on College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts student accomplishments.

The celebrated PSFA students included Dean’s Award recipients Sofia Bianconi and Sarah Roberts; Outstanding Creative and Performing Arts Award recipient Christopher Shin; Provost Award recipients Cynthia Bloodgood and Jennifer Ousey; Sustainability Award recipient sponsored by the Center for Regional Sustainability Paola Diaz; and President’s Award for the Creative Arts recipient Adam Parrocha.

The Student Research Symposium offers the SDSU community the opportunity to learn about graduate and undergraduate student projects. This year, students’ presentations were composed of various mediums: oral, poster, exhibit, or performance, and were organized by academic discipline. Presentations featured a live Q&A session via Zoom when the event occurred March 19 and 20.

Presidential Awards ($500) are made to recognize outstanding achievement in original scholarship. These graduate and undergraduate students go on to represent SDSU at the CSU Student Research Competition.

Diaz de Regule is a School of Public Affairs graduate student who presented for a second time at the symposium. She reflects on the symposium process, noting “creating the presentation and recording was really fun. I was really nervous about the Q&A part because I had no idea who the judges were and couldn’t see them react to my presentation, so I didn’t know what to expect! Overall, it’s an exciting process, and I would encourage students to participate.”

In presenting her thesis work, Diaz de Regule says, “I am very grateful for all the amazing professors and mentors at the School of Public Affairs and the Center for Latin American Studies, and I would like to especially thank Dr. Flanigan for her support in this research. I am also really excited that the CRS recognized the importance of this work and its implications on sustainable policymaking.”

Musical theatre student Shin says, “my cohort and I shared our presentations with one another prior to submitting our videos. I have to pinch myself that I am a part of an extraordinary group of artists/scholars that continues to inspire me on a daily basis. The subjects of all of our presentations were incredibly unique to our individual passions and interests. All of my classmates should have just as much recognition for their contributions to the field of research in our art form.”

Bianconi reflects, “I am really grateful for being recognized for my work in Criminal Justice research, especially in the underrepresented field of evidence-based strategies.”

Parrocha says, “over the past year, the sheer number of artists, designers, and creators throughout the entertainment landscape who have been unemployed has been devastating. It should be noted that entertainment of every variety has helped many of us get through these difficult times. I feel lucky that over the last year I have had a safe place to continue my creative work and research and to be mentored by illustrious industry professionals.”

“I think the arts are what have sustained us in this difficult year. I feel they are absolutely vital to making our society function well. I want people to remember as things return to “normal,” the arts and the connection they give are what give our lives interest and meaning, once our basic health and safety needs are met: Fund The Arts,” Bloodgood reflects.

Roberts says “when I found out I had won, it felt like a dream. I thought it might have been a mistake because I truly wasn’t expecting to win given that it was my first time participating. I remember running out of my room and exclaiming to my parents and we all celebrated with a wonderful home cooked meal and evening walk at the beach.”

Ousey notes, “receiving an award for my research affirms that art/design and I are a good fit. If I was headed in the right direction with my time and work this past year, then I can confidently look forward to an academic career in something I am passionate about.”

Learn more about the symposium on its website and view the full list of 2021 winners. To learn more about each student’s research, check out the SRS program.

The content within this article has been edited by Lizbeth Persons.

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