HIP #3:

Description: 

MY PROJECT

We are fortunate, those of us in the Salt Lake Community College's (SLCC) honors program. We're lucky to have the opportunity to invest ourselves in topics we're interested in and present our findings to other learners across the western part of the country. I am a social worker with a special emphasis on substance use disorder counseling. I undertook a research project which involved creating and distributing a survey (with IRB approval) to over 250 students. This study sought to understand students' perceptions about substance safety and peer use while also analyzing last reported use and current use. Preparations for this study began before the start of this semester; in total, I spent nearly half a year on this project. During that time, I sought and analyzed other projects that could contribute meaningfully to mine, sought guidance on my survey, learned how to clean and analyze data using Jamovi, and presented my findings. I had frequent contact with my faculty mentors, Dr. Richard Hydo and Professor Ashli Hansen, in creating a proposal appropriate for IRB approval. Their expertise not only facilitated an easier approval process but also helped me feel more confident as I tried to tackle topics on my own using their instruction as a guide. I was fortunate to be assisted by Cassidy Krantz, head of the IRB, as I occasionally approached her with additional questions. My interactions with each person helped solidify my belief that this project has the potential to meaningfully impact the lives of many students. Some believed that this project could provide meaningful insight, while others thought that the project appeared reliable enough to draw reasonable conclusions.

Description: 

THE TRIP

Honors students at SLCC who engaged in research and had prepared a presentation of their findings gathered together at the airport. The college had sponsored us, allowing us to present our work at the Western Regional Honors Conference in Denver, Colorado. There, we first celebrated our achievement by touring Meow Wolf, an expansive interactive museum. The air was electric. The excitement of being in another state, at a vibrant museum with friends, was palpable. The excitement was enhanced by the knowledge that "it all starts tomorrow" and that our presentations would begin the next day. 

The conference itself was nothing short of AMAZING. Many of my undergraduate peers presented work that was comparable to that of the graduate students at the conference. The pride I felt as a student of the college had never been fuller. There was a moment of displeasure when a faculty member from another university commented, "Oh, they let you guys come here, too?" The displeasure was short-lived, as the effort of my peer's labors proved themselves. One friend investigated the harmful effects of chronic vibrations on the body, why it's relevant (farming/heavy machinery), and current solutions to minimize harm to the body. Other studies analyzed immigrant perceptions of American identity and how variables (such as marrying a White man) influence beliefs on one's identity. Others evaluated the influence of impostor syndrome, some challenged unjust political institutions, and one student analyzed thousands of lines of data from Harvard. Other projects I haven't mentioned have also shown significant promise. I left feeling connected to my peers; our shared struggle had brought us great pride. I also felt fortunate to be surrounded by hundreds of other promising students and to be taught about their studies.