Honors

Western Regional Honors Conference

April 9 - 11, 2026

Throughout the spring semester, eighteen honors students worked closely with faculty mentors from multiple disciplines to develop their research questions, collect and analyze data, and communicate findings. They then traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, from April 9–11 to present their original research at the Western Regional Honors Conference (WRHC), hosted by University of Nevada – Las Vegas. Throughout the conference, students participated in poster sessions, oral presentations, networking opportunities, and academic discussions.

SLCC honors student research addressed a wide range of timely and socially relevant issues. Several projects explored immigration, identity, and belonging, which are topics deeply connected to students’ lived experiences. Nikolas Vidal presented “Beyond the Border Line,” while Belen Gonzalez collected and analyzed immigrant oral histories in her presentation ‘Ni de Aqui, Ni de Alla’. Rudaviro Dzenga presented on the challenges and discrimination she faces as an international student in her presentation ‘How Accents Shape Perceived Intelligence and Learning.’ These projects encouraged meaningful exploration of diverse perspectives and experiences while promoting intercultural understanding among conference participants.

Other student projects reflected interdisciplinary inquiry and real-world problem solving. Aydan William’s presentation titled ‘On Modernity and Anthropogenic Ecocentrism’ was an environmental study examining the philosophical and physical effects of climate change, while Garleth Ramirez Flores investigated accounting and financial standards in both Peru and the United States, providing insight into the differences between the countries and how this affects the communities it serves.

Student Reflections

Amna Latif

"Presenting my research on the impact of domestic violence on survivors' mental health was one of the most vulnerable experiences of my academic journey. Throughout this project, I gained a deeper understanding of the long-term psychological effects of domestic violence and the importance of accessible mental health support for survivors. Presenting at the WRHC conference challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and strengthened my confidence in public speaking and professional communication. Engaging with students and faculty from different institutions showed me how research can raise awareness and contribute to meaningful conversations about important social issues. This experience reinforced my belief that education and research can be powerful tools for advocacy, understanding, and positive change."

Mariah Espinal

"... I left the conference feeling more confident in my ability to contribute to academic and social conversations, but I also left feeling more aware of the responsibility that comes with education and advocacy. Before the conference, I viewed research and presentations primarily as academic requirements. After presenting and engaging in conversations with students and faculty from different backgrounds and disciplines, I began to see research as a tool for creating dialogue, challenging harmful systems, and encouraging empathy. Speaking publicly about dignity and marginalization required vulnerability because many of the topics discussed connect not only to broader social issues but also to realities that impact people I know, communities I care about, and experiences that shape my perspective and identity."

Thierno Bah

"... From the academic point of view, this experience helped me to develop such skills as analyzing scholarly sources, collecting evidence, organizing the information received during research, and synthesizing ideas from different fields. Moreover, now I know how to prepare the presentation of research in an academic context. All these skills will prove useful for me in future classes, especially when it comes to computer science, research-oriented courses, and potential career.

Overall, this experience made me feel more confident regarding my ability to participate in an academic dialogue, conduct research, and publicly present the results of my study. My ideas have gained credibility, and I can proudly say that this experience made me more interested in exploring different topics related to perception, society, and technology."

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